• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

Kyrgyz music at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan

Last updated on February 17, 2016 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

After leaving he capital city of Bishkek, we started driving towards Issyk-Kul. Our first stop to discover the Burana Tower was mesmerizing. History surrounded by colorful mountains: exactly what I love! Plus we were lucky to hear some Kyrgyz music. Do not miss the video at the end of the post.

Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan

Navigate back to the complete Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide


INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Burana Tower

The tower is all that remains of the ancient powerful city of Balasugan. The rest disappeared with the fall of the feudal state and some earthquake.

The tower has been renovated in the 70s as it was in danger of collapsing.​

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS - Burana Tower

Getting to the Burana Tower

  • 80km drive East from Bishkek
  • 10 km from Tokmok

Visiting the Burana Tower

  • Plan 30 minutes to 1hour
  • 60SOM to visit the site includes entrance to the small museum. No photos are allowed inside. It contains drawings, photos and sculptures related to the tower
  • The inside staircase is very steep and dark. Beware.

The Tower at Burana

When you arrive it does not look like much...

arriving at the Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan

The Burana tower used to be 45 meter high. However it lost the top part and is now roughly 25 meters.

the Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan 2

I really enjoyed the details: simple but elegant. This is why I included it in may top 7 places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.

Details on the Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan

I roamed around looking for angles and nice foreground. I found some colorful flowers!

the Burana Tower with purple flowers Kyrgyzstan
the Burana Tower with poppies Kyrgyzstan

There is a very small hill that gives an interesting perspective. Here is the view from the top:

the Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan from the small hill
The mountains surrounding the Burana Tower Kyrgyzstan from the small hill

The grave markers

The grave markers found in the region have been gathered in the field next to the Minaret. Most of them have faces and it is quite fun to walk around. They date from the 6th century.

Grave markers at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
Grave markers at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan 2

But what I loved the most was the pespective when turning around: the idols, the minaret and the mountains! What not to love?

Grave marker field at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
Grave marker field at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan 2

They have also gathered some big stone wheels found in the area.

Grave marker field at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan 3
perspective at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan 4

Climbing the Burana Tower

It is possible to climb the tower. It starts with an outside staircase of 33 steps. Then you enter the tower. The inside staircase of 40 to 50 steps is very narrow with big steps. It is not so easy. To get back down I strongly recommend going backwards.

I did not think it was really worthwhile to climb. I prefered the view from the hill.

25m high Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
Steep staircase in the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
View from the top of the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
View from the top of the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan 2

Kyrgyz guitars and a song

As we got ready to leave, we were lucky to notice some young Kyrgyz guitar player. They were rehearsing their welcome piece for a delegation.

The woman in pink is their music teacher and at one point she decided to start​ singing for us. Check out the videos after the photos!

Kyrgyz guitar players 1
Kyrgyz guitar players 2
Kyrgyz guitar players 3
Kyrgyz guitar players 4
Kyrgyz singer
Kyrgyz guitar players at the Burana Tower, Kyrgyzstan
https://zigzag-on-earth.smugmug.com/Travel/Kyrgyzstan/Videos-Kyrgyzstan/i-ZRS2cT2/0/960/Burana%20Tower%20Kyrgyz%20Music%20Kyrgyzstan-960.mp4

Want to see more of Kyrgyzstan's beauty?

Discover more planning information, things to do and places to see in my online Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide.

PREVIOUS ARTICLE: 

BISHKEK OSH MARKET

NEXT ARTICLE: 

CHOLPON ATA PETROGLYPHS

Travel Guide: Make the most of your time in Kyrgyzstan

Want to dance?

  

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search my ZigZags

Hi! I’m Claire

ZigZag On Earth photo

I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr

LoireLovers.fr

CorsicaLovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth · Log in