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Exploring Tourism in Kyrgyzstan
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Burana Tower

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

When it comes to places to visit near Bishkek, the Burana Tower is what should be on top of your list.It’s one of Kyrgyzstan’s most famous historical sites. This 25m high tower is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun, a once flourishing city that welcomed thousands of Silk Road caravans.

It feels so crazy to imagine that this archaeological site where nothing remains used to be a huge city and was once considered the center of the world.

Another remarkable sight is the collection of ancient bal-bals in the field near the Burana Tower. The bal-bals are gravestones, carved by the nomadic Turkic tribes who used to roam around Central Asia in the 6th century. These gravestones were initially erected as a representation of slain enemies and later became memorials for the ancestors of the people who sculpted them. They are oddly proportioned, with strange heads and short torsos.

You can easily visit the Burana Tower as a day trip from Bishkek or on your way towards Lake Issy-Kul. The Burana Tower is about 8 km from the town of Tokmok. There is no direct marshrutka (minibus) going from Bishkek to the Burana Tower but if you follow my instructions, you should be able to get there in two hours.

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