Burana Tower
Burana Tower is an iconic 11th-century Karakhanid minaret and archaeological open-air museum located near Tokmok in the Chuy Valley of northern Kyrgyzstan. Standing as the last major visible remnant of the lost Silk Road city of Balasagun, this ancient brick tower originally stood over 45 meters tall before being reduced by a massive 15th-century earthquake. Surrounding the tower is a mysterious field of ancient stone grave markers (balbals) carved with human faces. Burana Tower is famous across Kyrgyzstan for the heartbreaking tragedy of the King's Daughter, who was cursed to die from a spider bite on her eighteenth birthday despite being imprisoned atop the tower. Visitors and night caretakers report encountering a weeping maiden in medieval dress near the tower top, disembodied footsteps on the narrow spiral stairs, and phantom lights moving among the ancient stone ancestors.