Ancient Silk Road Cities: Navekat, Suyab & Balasagun — 1 Day
About this tour
This day trip visits the ruins of three Silk Road cities in the Chui valley, where four world religions — Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism — spread side by side.
Navekat ('New City' in Sogdian) flourished in the 6th–12th centuries; archaeologists found a Buddhist temple and a Karakhanid palace. Suyab was the capital of the Western Turkic Khaganate in the 6th century and later of the Karluks; a Nestorian church, a 7th–8th-century Buddhist temple and a citadel were found here. Balasagun, founded in the 10th century around the Burana Tower, mixed Buddhist, Muslim and Christian cultures — Genghis Khan's army spared it and renamed it Gobyl.
Highlights
- Navekat, Suyab and Balasagun in one day
- Buddhist temples and a Nestorian church site
- Burana Tower (11th c.)
- Duration: 6–8 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
Ancient Silk Road Cities: Navekat, Suyab & Balasagun
This day trip visits the ruins of three Silk Road cities in the Chui valley, where four world religions — Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism — spread side by side. Navekat ('New City' in Sogdian) flourished in the 6th–12th centuries; archaeologists found a Buddhist temple and a Karakhanid palace. Suyab was the capital of the Western Turkic Khaganate in the 6th century and later of the Karluks; a Nestorian church, a 7th–8th-century Buddhist temple and a citadel were found here. Balasagun, founded in the 10th century around the Burana Tower, mixed Buddhist, Muslim and Christian cultures — Genghis Khan's army spared it and renamed it Gobyl. Return to Bishkek.
What's included
Included
Transport
packed lunch
guide
excursions
entrance tickets
Not included
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
