Kyrgyzstan Chü Tours

Burana Tower and the Silk Road Past

The Chüy Valley once carried Silk Road caravans between the Fergana basin and the steppe, and the leaning Burana Tower near Tokmok, along with its scattered stone balbal figures, is what remains of the trading town of Balasagun that stood here. Little else survives above ground from that era.

Orchards Between Bishkek and the Kazakh Border

Closer to Bishkek, the valley opens into apple orchards and small farms feeding the capital's markets, with the Kazakhstan border running just to the north. Most visitors pass through the Chüy region on the way to Issyk-Kul rather than stopping long, though the Burana site is usually worth the detour.