In the early Middle Ages (3rd–4th centuries), the Iranian tribes were transferred here to spread the Zoroastrianism, the official religion of the Empire, in northern territories of the empire, to combat Christianity and protect the northern borders from Hun, Peach and Khazar tribes.

As the 8th-century Arab historian Ibn Fadlan writes, the Muslim part of the Turkic-speaking Khazar people was headed by one of the representatives of the Khizi tribe.

[4] West of Gilazi, the Khizi road climbs through the colourful semi-desert landscapes known as the Candy Cane Mountains.

[5] Around 10 km west of Khizi town, the green, heavily forested hills around Alti Agach which has been declared an Altyaghach National Park.

The national park is home to the rare East Caucasian tur, a mountain-dwelling goat antelope found only in the eastern half of the Caucasus Mountains.

Forests, semi-deserts, steppe, desert, gray mountains, subalpine and alpine ecosystems are present in the area.

Species include European caterpillars, brown bears, pigs, gray rabbits, foxes, wolves.

In order to prevent further strengthening of the positions of Sheikh Heydar, Sultan Yagub helped Shirvanshah Farrukh Yasar to resist him.

Sheikh Heydar Shirvanshah died in the Battle of Tabasaran (1488) and was buried in the area opposite the sacred Beshbarmak mountain.

Later, Ismayil Safavi, who defeated the Shirvanshahs state, built a tomb on his father's grave, attacked the Shikhlar village and declared the mausoleum a sacred sanctuary.