Map
Brick tower and stone sculptures on a green lawn in front of a snowy mountain range.
Balasagun

Balasagun

A Silk Road city with a minaret and stone statues in Chuy Valley.

  • 10th–11th c.Development of the site
  • UNESCO · 2014Silk Road component
  • Outdoorsdaytime: July +30°, January +3°
  • Near TokmokBurana complex
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

What to see

4 stops in walking order

The list on the left follows the chapters as you scroll. Tap a photo to enlarge it.

  1. From above, the ancient town’s earth ramparts and paths can be seen among flat green fields.11.06.2015

    outside1 / 4

    Earth ramparts

    outside

    Broad earth ramparts and paths through the ancient town stretch among the fields.

    Next Stone figure →
  2. A stone figure with carved facial features stands in short grass under the open sky.18.07.2018

    outside2 / 4

    Stone figure

    outside

    The face and hands are visible on the stone figure. A small object is carved between the hands.

    Next Figure group →
  3. Several stone figures stand together on a grassy area of the ancient town site.18.07.2018

    outside3 / 4

    Figure group

    outside

    Several stone figures stand in the grass. Small museum labels are visible between them.

    Next Inscribed slab →
  4. Lines of an Arabic inscription are visible on a pale stone slab, carved into its rough surface.06.09.2015

    outside4 / 4

    Inscribed slab

    outside

    Horizontal lines of an inscription are carved into a freestanding pale slab.

    Next History in 3 dates ↓

History

History in 3 dates

  1. 10th–11th c.Karakhanid town

    Balasagun developed as one of the Karakhanid capitals.

  2. 15th c.Gradual decline

    The inhabitants left the town and its buildings fell into ruin.

  3. 2014Silk Road heritage

    The ancient town site joined the UNESCO list as part of the Chang’an–Tian Shan corridor.

Seasons

Outdoors: four seasons

How the place looks in different seasons. Monthly temperatures in Bishkek: averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Based on a photo by Kalpak Travel, CC BY 2.0, modified

    Spring

    March–May

    In spring, daytime highs rise from about 11 °C in March to 21 °C in May; night-time lows rise from −2 to 7 °C.

    • MarchBishkek +11° / −1°
    • AprilBishkek +18° / +5°
    • MayBishkek +23° / +9°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    In summer, daytime highs stay around 25–28 °C, with night-time lows around 11–14 °C.

    • JuneBishkek +27° / +14°
    • JulyBishkek +30° / +17°
    • AugustBishkek +28° / +16°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    In autumn, daytime highs fall from about 22 °C in September to 8 °C in November; night-time lows fall from 9 to −5 °C.

    • SeptemberBishkek +24° / +12°
    • OctoberBishkek +16° / +4°
    • NovemberBishkek +9° / −3°
  4. Based on a photo by Kalpak Travel, CC BY 2.0, modified

    Winter

    December–February

    In winter, daytime highs are around 3–5 °C, with night-time lows around −8 °C.

    • DecemberBishkek +4° / −7°
    • JanuaryBishkek +3° / −8°
    • FebruaryBishkek +5° / −7°

Where it is

Location
Chuy Region
From the base
≈54 km from Bishkek as the crow flies
Coordinates
42.75° N, 75.25° E
Open in Maps

Plan your visit

Walking directions and opening hours

Getting there on foot

  1. Address

    Burana archaeological complex, near Tokmok

Allow enough time

Time needed
60–90 min

Check in advance

  • Opening hours
  • Admission fee

Check on site

  • Whether indoor photography is allowed at the entrance
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

All photos

Balasagun ancient city site in photos

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  2. 11.06.2015
  3. 06.09.2015
  4. 18.07.2018
  5. 18.07.2018