Guide To Visit Burana Tower In Kyrgyzstan | Monument To A Lost City

Burana Tower, in Kyrgyzstan, is one of the country’s most fascinating historical remains left standing. In fact, it’s one of the oldest architectural constructions of Central Asia and an open-air museum. A glimpse back in time to when this area was a booming capital of the great Karakhanid Empire, which ruled Central Asia from the 9th-13th century. It was a cultural, academic, and spiritual center, and a stop for thousands of caravans along the great Silk Road.

Located 50 miles (80 km) east of Bishkek, this stop makes a relatively easy day trip to learn more about Kyrgyzstan’s history, its role in the Silk Road, and imagine the fusion of cultures, and glory of this ancient lost city.

Burana Tower In Kyrgyztsan

This UNESCO listed World Heritage site was once part of the ancient city of Balasagun. One of three great medieval cities in Kyrgyzstan’s eastern valley, along a major branch of the ancient Silk Road (the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor): Balasagun, Nevakat, and Suyab. All long lost cities. Balasagun, however, the site of Burana Tower, is the only one that remains standing above ground level.

The Karakhanid Empire

The Karakhanid empire was vast, stretching from China in the east to what was once the Aral Sea in the west (between the western sides of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan). The Karakhanids started as a confederated band of nomads before becoming the first Muslim Turkic dynasty that ruled in Central Asia.

The Lost City Of Baslagun

The city of Basalagun, was one of the capitals of the Eastern Khanate, after the Karakhanid state split up. It reportedly spread over 9-11 miles² (25-30 km²). Saved from destruction by Genghis Khan’s Mongols, they renamed it Gobalik, which meant “pretty city”. In the 15th century, after the Silk Road closed, Basalagun lost its importance and disappeared.

Archeological remains show it once housed a fortress, many cathedrals, mosques, shops, bazaars, dwellings, a bathhouse, arable land, and a modern plumbing system of clay pipes that carried water from the nearby canyon. There were even two circles of walls surrounding the city.

At one time, thousands of caravans were welcomed here on their long and arduous journey along the Silk Road. It was a place of cultural exchange. The Karakhanids practiced Islam, although it was also a place of religious exchange as there were also followers of Syra-Nestorianism, Buddhism, and more.

Today, all that remains is the tilted, damaged tower, which is a minaret from one of the mosques, some balbals (more on these below), mausoleum ruins, the foundation of a castle, millstones, and a museum with artifacts from the area. There are also some petroglyphs dating back to the 2nd millennium BC nearby.

Maybe it’s the sparse remains juxtaposed with the beauty of the surrounding mountains, but the area captivates your imagination. You can almost see the hustle and bustle of this long lost city and you yearn to learn more of its history.

Burana Tower

Built in the 11th century, Burana Tower is one of oldest architectural constructions of Central Asia. It’s all that remains of the minaret from the Jami Mosque that once stood here.

In addition to being a place for a call to prayer, this minaret also served as a watchtower and a landmark for caravans, so they could find their way.

Originally 148’ (45 m) tall, this minaret is decorated with detailed geometric brickwork patterns. Researchers think the design was used as a model for others, like the Uzgen minaret in Uzgen, Kyrgyzstan.

Earthquakes over the centuries have damaged the tower, which is 82’ (25 m) today. Almost half its original height. Nearing total collapse, it was renovated by the Russians in 1970.

You need to climb up the circular metal stairs outside the base of the tower (which was added during the renovation) to get to a door to the interior stairway. From there, you climb the narrow, winding steps to the top of the tower.

The inside is quite cozy with teeny, tiny steps. If you are claustrophobic at all, it’s best to admire the tower from the ground.

The view of the Chuy valley from the top, however, is breathtaking. Certainly a pretty scene from a once “pretty city”. Especially seeing the Tian Shan mountains in the distance.

Burana Tower Legend

In addition to the little we know from history on Burana Tower, there is also a legend about it that’s strikingly similar to the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. It starts with a powerful Khan, who had a beautiful baby daughter. To celebrate her birth, he invited fortune tellers and wise men to come to the city and tell her future. One of these men, said that his daughter would die of a spider bite on her 16th birthday.

To protect her, the great Khan built a large tower, where she spent most of her days alone. Her food, which was thoroughly inspected, was delivered up to the tower via basket. Upon her 16th birthday, the Khan himself brought her a bunch of grapes to celebrate her birthday. Ironically, a spider, hidden amongst the grapes, jumped out and bit her. The Khan was so distraught at her death, he cried very loudly, causing the top part of the tower to collapse.

Burana Tower Museum

There’s also a small museum here, that contains artifacts discovered in the area. It’s primarily focused on the Karakhanid period. You can see coins, pottery, ancient millstones, and more. There is some signage explaining details, but not a lot.

Ancient Turkic Gravestones, Or Balbals

You can also find old balbals, or bal-baks, here. Balbal comes from the Turkic word ‘baba’, which means ‘grandfather’ or ‘ancestor’.  Dating from the 6th-19th century, these monuments honored the dead and sometimes marked their burial places.

Similar monuments are scattered in northern Kyrgyzstan, and although these were moved here, some are as old, and some even older, than Burana Tower.

The monuments with wine glasses (like the one above) represent the Nestorians, a group of early Christians who once lived in the area.

Ancient Buried Complex?

There’s a small mound of ground beside the tower. It loo s flat in my photo from above, but it is a mound. Some researchers think this is the foundation of a castle or fortress complex. It’s located on the hill between tower and the balbals.

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How To Get To Burana Tower

Unless you have a car, the most economical way to visit Burana Tower is to take a marshrutka from the West Side Bus Station (in Bishkek) to Tokmok. Burana Tower is 7.5 miles (12 km) southwest of Tokmok, or about a 15-minute drive. There will be taxis waiting where the marshrutka stops. Negotiate a price for one to take you there, let you walk for about an hour, and bring you back to Tokmok.

My marshrutka from Bishkek was #350 and the cost was 60 SOM to Tokmok, one way (less than a dollar). The taxi driver I talked to originally wanted 1,000 SOM to drive me to Burana, wait an hour, then drive me back to Tokmok, but I quickly talked him down to 500. Honestly, it should cost only about 300, but I thought that for 3 hours of his time, it was worth the $6. From Tokmok, I caught a marshrutka back to Bishkek.

If you know Russian or can translate, ask in advance when last marshrutka back to Bishkek leaves. Otherwise, plan to return before it’s too late in the afternoon, just to be sure. Times are approximate as the mini buses leave when seats are full, not according to a set schedule.

Overall, my transportation costs were less than $8. The tower fee is 60 SOM, making the afternoon less than $9.

Tours To Burana Tower

If you don’t want the hassle of figuring out how to get to Konorchek Canyon on your own, there are a few tour options. I recommend this full day trip: From History to Nature: Burana Tower & Trekking Konorchek Canyon. You will be picked up from your hotel in Bishkek before visiting Burana Tower and learning its fascinating Silk Road history, then drive to Konorchek Canyon to hike its trails. The two are only about an hour drive apart, so perfect to do together.

Or, if you want all the great stuff around Issyk Kul Lake, select The ultimate 5 day voyage around Issyk Kul lake. This tour, which also picks you up from your hotel includes Burana Tower, Konorchek Canyon, Grigoriev Gorge, horseback riding in Chen-Kevin National Park, Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Fairy Tale Canyon, a cruise (and possibly a swim) on Issyk-Kul Lake, a stay in a traditional yurt on the coast of the lake, and more. It really hits all the top spots!

If that’s too much, opt for the 3-Day Private Tour Around Issyk Kul Lake. It still hits many of the top spots around the lake as well as Fairy Tale Canyon. There’s also a 2 Days Best of Kyrgyz Canyons, which takes you to Fairy Tale Canyon, Konorchek Canyon, Ak-Sai Canyon, and Burana Tower.

Where To Stay In Kyrgyzstan

Burana Tower can easily be done as a day trip from Bishkek, which is the most popular place to stay, with the most options for accommodation and food.

The place where I stayed in Bishkek is no longer in business, so I’ve researched some centrally located places for you at a variety of price points that are highly rated.

Shoestring

• Izzzi Hostel  This hostel gets stellar reviews and is centrally located. There are lockers in the dorms and privacy panels on the beds.
• Nomad Inn Located about a 40-minute walk south of Ala Too Square, this inexpensive Inn is a little farther away. It offers twin beds and a shared kitchen.

Budget

• AURA on Kievskaya, 168 This simple, but highly rated apartment is centrally located about a 20-minute walk west of Ala Too Square. There’s a full sized bed and kitchen. Also near Sierra Coffee, my favorite cafe here.
• Bishkek Promenade This centrally located apartment with 1 bedroom (full sized bed) and a kitchen, gets great reviews. It’s a 10-minute walk west of Ala Too Square.
• Logvinenko Apartment This 1 bedroom apartment has a terrace with city views, and a kitchen. It gets great reviews and is located about a 10-minute walk north of Ala Too Square.
• Brand New One Bedroom Apartment With Amazing View Cozy 1 bedroom apartment with kitchen and balcony with amazing view. This one does not have many reviews yet, but the few it does have are very positive. It’s located about 10 to 15-minute walk east of Ala Too Square.

Affordable

• Orion Hotel If you want something a little more grand, Orion Hotel is a 5-star hotel located about a 15 to 20-minute walk south of Ala Too Square. 

Tips For Visiting Burana Tower in Kyrgyzstan

Translate the name of the city and locations you want to visit into Russian and write them down (or note them on your phone) as your taxi driver may not speak English. Tokmok is the same in Kyrgyz and English. In Russian it’s Tokmak. Burana Tower is Бурана мунарасы in Kyrgyz and башня бурана in Russian.

Negotiating in Russian was a challenge for me as it’s so different than anything I know. I resorted to using the calculator on my phone to negotiate prices, and gestures to communicate the rest. To make it easier, it’s best to download Russian on the Google translate app when you have WiFi. Then, you will be able to translate without WiFi when you are out and about.

Want More of Kyrgyzstan?

With its stunning snow-capped mountains, brilliant alpine lakes, verdant forests, and lush, grassy steppes, Kyrgyzstan is full of jaw-dropping beauty and interesting things to do.

If you’re staying in Bishkek, read about Top 22 Things To Do in Bishkek, which also includes an overview of amazing day trips, like Fairy Tale Canyon, to see fantastical shapes created over the centuries by water and wind, or Konorchek Canyon to see a red rock canyon that looks like it should be in Arizona (not mountainous Kyrgyzstan).

Even if you’re not into trekking, a visit to Ala Arch National Park is a must do. In addition to a gorgeous setting for a picnic, there a variety of trails from beginner to advanced.

Safe Travels!

Julie

If you’ve visited Burana Tower in Kyrgyzstan, please add a comment on your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

To read more about me and my philosophy on travel, see my about me page.