Kyrgyzstan, the heart of Central Asia, played a significant role on the Great Silk Road and was as a kind of bridge connecting East and West. Three branches of the trade route passed through Kyrgyzstan: Pamir-Alai, Chui and Fergana.
During your trip in Kyrgyzstan, you will find many places of the heritage of the Great Silk Road in the form of such monuments as the Tash-Rabat caravanserai, Burana tower, Suleiman mountain, Uzgen architectural complex.
Tash-Rabat
The ancient caravanserai Tash-Rabat, located in the Naryn region at an altitude of over 3000m, is one of the best preserved monuments of the Great Silk Road. Tash-Rabat functioned as an inn during the Great Silk Road. There is also information that Tash Rabat served as a place of worship and rest for travelers. Scientists’ opinions differ regarding the date of its appearance. It is assumed that this place appeared in the 10th century and served as a monastery, and by the 15th century a caravanserai was erected on its remains. Most of the visitors note the incredible atmosphere of this place, which makes you feel like you are in those distant times.
Burana Tower
Burana Tower is an archaeological and architectural minaret located 12 km south-west of Tokmok city. It is one of the oldest structures in Central Asia. According to historians, the city Balasagyn was located here, one of the most developed cities and the capital of the Karakhadin state. The Burana Tower has preserved the memory of this city, located on the Great Silk Road and ceased to exist in the XIV century. The height of the minaret was originally at least 40 meters, but due to the earthquake it is now 21.7 meters. Today this structure serves as a heritage of the Great Silk Road and attracts the interest of tourists and scientists.
Sulaiman-Too
The sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too is located in the city of Osh. Since 2009, it has been the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain is 1140m long and 560m wide. Until the 16th century Sulaiman-Too was called Bara-Kuh.
At the foot of the mountain there is a museum, one of the largest in the country. Also has a mosque, caves and several monuments. The preserved petroglyphs and drawings testify that this place was sacred, capable of curing various ailments.
Architectural complex Uzgen
Uzgen architectural complex is located in Uzgen, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, which is more than two thousand years old. Uzgen was one of the capitals of the Karakhanid state and an important staging post on the Great Silk Road.
The architectural complex of Uzgen is a historical and cultural monument and consists of a minaret and mausoleums.
Uzgen minaret, built in the 11-12th centuries at the dawn of the Karakhanid era, is the main attraction of the city. The height of the minaret, reminiscent of the Burana tower, is and consists of three parts: the lower part is an octagonal base; the middle part is a tapered cylinder; the upper part is a lantern with a dome and arched windows.
Next to the minaret are located the mausoleums of the Karakhanid rulers, which were three Karakhanid tombs built in the XX-XII centuries. mausoleums are subdivided into the northern one, built in 1152, the southern one – in 1187, and the older middle one, built in the X-XI centuries.