Burana Tower & Ancient Balasagun — 1 Day
About this tour
The Burana site lies 11 km south-west of Tokmok. Its fame comes from an outstanding piece of architecture — the Burana minaret of the 10th–11th centuries, one of the oldest of its kind in Central Asia. Two rows of defensive walls and rich finds show that this was a major political centre, believed to be Balasagun, capital of the Karakhanids.
Legend says a powerful khan built the tower to protect his only daughter from a prophecy that she would die from a black spider's bite — but the spider arrived hidden in a bunch of grapes. Remains of three mausoleums, religious buildings and a noble's estate of the 11th–12th centuries have also been excavated; today the site is an open-air museum.
Highlights
- Burana minaret (10th–11th c.)
- Open-air archaeological museum
- Balbal stone figures
- Duration: 5–6 hours
Group departures
Join a group on one of these dates, or propose your own. A departure is guaranteed once 2 travellers have joined, and the price per person drops as the group grows.
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- Guaranteed from 2 travellers
- Price drops as people join
- Set your own group limit
Itinerary
01
Day
Burana Tower & Ancient Balasagun
The Burana site lies 11 km south-west of Tokmok. Its fame comes from an outstanding piece of architecture — the Burana minaret of the 10th–11th centuries, one of the oldest of its kind in Central Asia. Two rows of defensive walls and rich finds show that this was a major political centre, believed to be Balasagun, capital of the Karakhanids. Legend says a powerful khan built the tower to protect his only daughter from a prophecy that she would die from a black spider's bite — but the spider arrived hidden in a bunch of grapes. Remains of three mausoleums, religious buildings and a noble's estate of the 11th–12th centuries have also been excavated; today the site is an open-air museum. Return to Bishkek.
What's included
Included
Transport
guide
excursions
entrance tickets
Not included
Lunch
Drinks and snacks
Tips for your guide and driver
Personal expenses
Who is this tour for?
- Everyone — no special fitness needed
- Travellers with a free day in Bishkek
Difficulty & safety
Easy day trip. Mountain weather can change, so bring a warm layer and good shoes.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Warm layer — it is cooler in the mountains
Sunscreen and sun hat
Water bottle
