Burana Tower
The Burana Tower is a 25-meter-tall brick minaret dating back to the 11th century. Situated at an elevation of 940 meters in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan, the structure is part of the ancient city of Balasagun. It currently ranks as one of the 5 most looked-up sights in the country.
Planning a visit
The period from June through August is suitable for a visit, as daily highs reach 25 °C to 27 °C with less rainfall compared to the spring months of April and May, which see 75 mm to 82 mm of rain. September remains pleasant with highs of 23 °C. From November through March, temperatures are cold, with average lows ranging between -2 °C and -9 °C, and occasional winter precipitation.
The tower is located 57 km from Bishkek. The nearest airport is Manas International Airport, which is 72 km away. Travelers can combine a visit to the tower with nearby archaeological sites, including the ruins of Balasagun, which are 0.2 km away, Suyab at 6.1 km, and Navekat at 27 km.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 27 °C. The wettest is May, with about 82 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 2 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 3 |
| Average low, °C | -9 | -7 | -2 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 3 | -2 | -7 |
| Rainfall, mm | 26 | 32 | 58 | 75 | 82 | 56 | 38 | 25 | 27 | 47 | 46 | 31 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
