The archaeological sites of Burana and Ak-Beshim: towers and temples

Another unmissable stop is a visit to the Burana Tower, a historic and architectural monument dating from the late 10th to early 11th centuries, situated near the town of Tokmok, to which the entire nation feels a strong attachment. It once stood within the citadel of Balasagun alongside mausoleums, a mosque, a church and a spa complex, as evidenced by the archaeological remains that have been unearthed. Built using red bricks, the tower is 25 metres high, with a base diameter of 9 metres and a top diameter of 6 metres; a staircase leads to the top. Its inscriptions, which refer to Imam Muhammad, the lawgiver of Balasagun, are spectacular. The architect, Usto Bako, is the same man who designed the minaret in Bukhara. Also worth visiting is the archaeological site of Ak-Beshim, dating from the 6th to the 12th centuries in Tokmok, where two 6th–7th-century Buddhist temples have been discovered, along with sculptures, works of art and artefacts, suggesting that the medieval city of Suyab, another highly renowned centre along the Silk Road, once stood there.