Burana Tower is an ancient minaret located near the town of Tokmok, about 80 km east of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This historic site is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Central Asia, dating back to the 11th century, and it was once part of the thriving Silk Road city of Balasagun — a key settlement of the Karakhanid Khanate. Standing at 24 meters high today (originally around 45 meters before part of it was damaged by earthquakes), the tower served both as a minaret for calling Muslims to prayer and as a watchtower for the city. Visitors can climb a steep, narrow staircase inside for panoramic views of the Chüy Valley and the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. The Burana complex also features a small open-air museum with petroglyphs, balbals (stone warrior statues), and other archaeological relics that give a glimpse into the life and culture of the nomads and settlers. Burana Tower — where stories of Silk Road traders, ancient cities, and nomadic empires all come to life!

The traditional eagle show in Kyrgyzstan is usually called "Bürkütchü Show" — Bürkütchü (Бүркүтчү) means eagle hunter in Kyrgyz. This ancient nomadic tradition, bürküt saluu (hunting with a golden eagle), is part of Kyrgyz cultural heritage. During a show, you’ll typically see a bürkütchü (eagle hunter) dressed in traditional attire, demonstrating the deep bond between human and eagle. A typical experience might include: Learning about the history of eagle hunting. Getting close to the eagle for photos. Hearing stories of how these birds are trained from a young age.