🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan · Ancient city
Balasagun (Burana Tower)
Samanid → Karakhanid → Qara Khitai → Mongol 9–14 c. CE · Perso-Islamic Samanid → Turkic Karakhanid (Qarakhanid)
Karakhanid capital Balasagun (c.10–14 c. CE) in the Chu Valley near Tokmok — 36 ha shahristan (650×560 m) with the iconic Burana minaret (24 m surviving, originally 45 m, 11 c., Karakhanid brickwork…