About
The Burana Tower is a historic minaret built in the 11th century during the Karakhanid era. Rising over the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, the tower still stands 21 metres tall today (it is thought to have exceeded 40 metres originally). Visitors who climb the internal staircase to the top can enjoy a magnificent view of the Chuy Valley and the snow-capped mountains around it.
The open-air museum around the tower displays balbals (human-shaped grave stelae) from the old Turkic burial tradition, along with various stone sculptures. These balbals are among the most important examples of cultural heritage from the Gokturk period. Burana is a striking stop that reveals Kyrgyzstan's deep roots in Central Asian history.
