Destination

Burana Tower

An 11th-century minaret, all that stands of the Silk Road city of Balasagun.

Burana Tower is one of the main architectural monuments of Kyrgyzstan and the last standing piece of Balasagun, a Karakhanid city that flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries. Caravans on the Great Silk Road stopped here to trade, rest and resupply, and the city lived from that trade for more than two hundred years.

The tower probably served several purposes: a minaret for the city mosque, a landmark that caravans could see from far across the Chuy valley, and a watchtower to spot approaching enemies. An earthquake later took off its upper half, leaving the 25-metre stump you can climb today.

On site

A narrow inner staircase to the top for views over the valley and the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range.
A field of balbal stones — carved Turkic grave markers.
A small museum of finds from Balasagun.