The Burana Tower is one of the oldest landmarks in Kyrgyzstan.
The Burana Tower is one of the oldest landmarks in Kyrgyzstan. Long ago, this was the center of a great city on the ancient Silk Road. Today, the tower is all that remains of that powerful kingdom, standing alone in a wide valley.
The Tower and the Legend. The tower used to be much taller, but earthquakes destroyed the top half. Now it stands at 25 meters. There is a legend about a king who built it to protect his daughter. You can climb to the top using a narrow, dark staircase for a great view of the valley and mountains.
The Balbals: Stone Sentinels. Next to the tower, there are ancient stone statues called “balbals.” They were carved by nomadic tribes over a thousand years ago to represent fallen warriors. Walking among these stones feels like stepping back in time.
