The designation recognizes the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of the area, including its status as a significant archaeological landscape.

The plateau remains one of the more remote and difficult-to-access areas of Russia.

Access requires a long journey through the Altai Republic, followed by a challenging off-road approach to the plateau itself.

The altitude and weather conditions limit the season during which the plateau is accessible.

The archaeological richness of the plateau is substantial.

The kurgans visible across its surface represent centuries of burial activity by the Pazyryk and their predecessors and successors.

Most have been disturbed by ancient looting, but the same permafrost conditions that preserved the Ice Maiden’s burial may have preserved elements of other kurgans that have not yet been excavated.