Medieval Burana tower and Bishkek city tour

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Medieval Burana Tower

and Bishkek city tour

ABOUT TOUR

It’s the perfect day-trip from Bishkek and can be visited at any time of year. It combines a guided tour through Bishkek’s top attractions with a trip to the most famous archaeological sites - Burana Tower. Moreover, you will have a chance to climb to the top of the ancient tower, where there is a beautiful view of the Chui valley and the Tien-Shan mountains opens. You will learn about history of Kyrgyzstan and its role on the Great Silk Road while exploring Burana tower, colorful streets of Osh bazaar market and Bishkek city.

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Tian Shan mountains and is a city rich in history and culture, offering visitors a mosaic of experiences. As you explore Bishkek, you'll encounter spacious squares, wide boulevards, and marble-faced public buildings, alongside monuments that narrate the country's Soviet-era history. Key attractions include Ala-Too Square, The Old Square, the White House, The Oak Park, and The Square of the Revolution Fighters. Not to be missed are the city's oldest building, The Alley of Artists, The Museum of Arts, The Museum named after M.Frunze, and the City Philharmonic, among more than 30 other fascinating sites. Your tour will be enriched by stories from our knowledgeable guide, bringing each landmark to life. Additionally, a visit to the vibrant Osh market offers a taste of Central Asian life, where you can sample local sweets and navigate through endless merchant rows.

The Burana Tower, located 70 km from Bishkek, stands as a solitary remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun, once a bustling capital of the Karahanid empire and a crucial stop along the Silk Road. This enigmatic tower, whose origins are debated but believed to be from the 9th to 11th centuries, offers a rare glimpse into the past. The name "Burana" in ancient Arabic means "minaret," and legend has it that a king erected the tower to safeguard his daughter from a deadly prophecy. Despite suffering damage from numerous earthquakes, the tower was restored in the 1970s to prevent its collapse. Today, visitors can explore the Burana Tower and nearby museum to discover artifacts from the 9th to 11th centuries, immersing themselves in the rich history and legends of this ancient site.

What to expect

Osh bazaar

In the morning our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and the first place to visit will be the legendary open-air Osh bazaar market. It is said that if one wants to experience the local culture and life of a place one should visit the local market and Osh Bazaar is one of the best examples of the local markets in Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan in general. You can find everything here from food products and spices to common household goods, clothes, souvenirs, and even musical instruments, you’ll be surrounded by all the products you could possibly imagine.The crowds, the smells, and the noises can feel a bit overwhelming but it’s an experience you won’t easily forget.

Kyrgyz National Philharmoniс Hall

We will start our city tour with the charming architecture of the Mayor's office, International University, and the Philarmony itself. The white marble of the Philharmonic makes an impression by virtue of its being situated on a hill, like an antique temple, with colorful stained glass and hammered copper.

White House

The White House serves as the seat of Kyrgyz government and your guide will share dramatical story of riots during both the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the 2010 Kyrgyzstan riots that Kyrgyz citizens never forget.

Ala-Too square

The main square of the city - Ala-Too Square. "Ala-too" translates as "motley mountains" and this name perfectly describes the face of the country, famous for its stunning mountain scenery. Ala-Too Square is located in the center of Bishkek and combines several attractions. On its perimeter, there are State Historical Museum, numbering about 90 thousand exhibits; Oak park with a monument of Friendship of Peoples. In the center is a 45-meter flagpole with a national flag measuring 10 * 15 meters. The flag is guarded by a guard of honor. Nearby is the 10-meter-high equestrian statue of Manas, the legendary Kyrgyz batyr. Famous Panfilov park and Lenins monument is within reach.

Opera and Ballet theatre

The opera house in Bishkek is one of the landmarks opposite the Fine Arts Museum. During the Soviet era, opera and ballet were regardedas national arts. Opera houses and ballet theatres were erected in the centre of the capital of each Republic in the Soviet Union. In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, you can find a theatre in the centre of the city. The grand Bishkek Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre opposite the Fine Arts Museum presents the best performances in the country.

Check out the classical heritage which is clear in the facades and rich décor throughout the theater. Picturesque paintings and facades by Kyrgyz artists adorn the interior, and serve as a testament to the country’s rich history.

Victory square

It is dedicated to the Victory in the World War II. In the center of the square stand three massive granite arches, forming the silhouette of a yurt(Kyrgyz nomad house). In the center of the composition is a sculpture of a woman with a cup in her hands at the feet of which the eternal flame burns, symbolizing a soldier’s mother waiting for her husband and sons to return from the War.

Central Mosque

The Bishkek Central Mosque is considered as one of the largest mosque in Central Asia. The mosque is built in an Ottoman revival style, with four minarets, each with three balconies. Inside, the mosque can simultaneously pray up to 6 thousand people. Taking into account that in the courtyard of the mosque can still pray 20 thousand people.

Tokmok

In the afternoon we’ll head towards Burana Tower to the small town of Tokmok (80km from Bishkek). You will drive along the border with Kazakhstan and, if the weather is clear, you will see the beautiful scenery of the Tien Shan mountains. Tokmak was the second largest industrial city in Kyrgyzstan during the Soviet times, and you can see some of the Soviet monuments while driving through the city. Then you will pass through several small but picturesque villages, and you will be able to see the life of the locals outside the capital.

Burana

Your guide will show you the mausoleums and other buildings discovered by archaeologists during excavations, you will have a chance to climb to the top of the ancient tower, where there is a beautiful view of the Chui valley and the Tien-Shan mountains open. Visit the small museum, which presents various archaeological artifacts, as well as an open-air museum, which contains ancient gravestones, rock drawings, and other interesting historical objects found on the territory of our country.

Bishkek

Afterward, we will drop you off at your hotel in Bishkek, marking the end of the tour. We wish you a beautiful evening ahead!