Backpacking in Krygyzstan: How to get to the Burana Tower from Bishkek
Reposted May 18, 2020
The Burana Tower is about 60km out of Bishkek. Awesome backdrop against snowy mountains. Find out how to get there using public transportation.
The Burana Tower is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasugan set at the foot of the Shamshy valley. The original height was around 45m but today it stands at just 28m; sadly no top part of the minaret.
How to get to the Burana Tower from Bishkek:
From Bishkek East bus station, take marshrutka (ex Soviet mini van) #300 to Tokmok (1hour +, 60km, 50 Som). Then take another marshrutka or taxi or as did, walk with thumb out. Head south, towards the mountains, over the rail line and keep going for 6km and turn right at the sign and follow the road for 7 more km. Coming back, just 200m from the tower, some guys stopped and they took me all the way back to Bishkek.
This post has been rewritten for Nomadic Backpacker and is based on my travels in Central Asia in 2015