Talas province

Tours, Attractions and Things to Do in Talas

Talas is a small but famous city and the administrative centre of Talas Province. Located in the western corner of Kyrgyzstan, separated from the country by a mountain range, it can be reached by crossing the Teo-Ashuu Pass. Talas province is famous as the possible birthplace of the legendary hero Manas and the most famous Kyrgyz writer, Chingiz Aitmatov.

Talas’ greatest impact on world history is perhaps the Battle of Talas in 751. The battle marked the time when Arab forces (in this case, the Abbasid Caliphate) fought against Chinese forces (the Tang dynasty). The Chinese had aggressively expanded westward, gaining control in Kabul and Kashimir. The Abbasids began to push them back, and both armies met on the banks of the Talas River in 751, resulting in a decisive Arab victory. After this victory, Islam became the dominant religion in Central Asia, supplanting Buddhism, and the secrets of papermaking were shared outside China for the first time by Chinese prisoners of war held in Central Asia.

Talas is mentioned by Rabban Bar Sawma in the account of his pilgrimage from Beijing (where he was born, despite being ethnically Turkish Muslim) to Jerusalem, a sort of reverse Marco Polo. He met Kublai Khan’s cousin Kaydi Khan in Talas on his way west, but never reached Jerusalem.

When the Russians expanded the settlement in 1864, Talas was no more than a village. The town as we know it today was founded by Russian and Ukrainian settlers in 1877 as the village of Dmitrievskoye, and soon had 100 houses for farmers. A brick church was built in 1920 and a picturesque park was founded in the centre of town along the banks of the river.

Attractions in the Talas vicinity

One of the most important sites in the Talas Valley is Manas Ordo, the supposed burial place of the legendary Manas. As the main hero of the Manas Epics, Manas unites the warring Kyrgyz tribes and brings peace to the region. As Manas was supposedly born in Talas, the valley has become the centre of everything related to Kyrgyzstan’s national hero.

About 20km (12.5 miles) northeast of Talas are three ancient camps: Kulan Sai, Terek Sai, and Tash Kurgan. Near these camps are caves with cave paintings and petroglyphs. To the south of the city lies Besh Tash (‘five stones’), a dazzling valley.

Chingiz Aitmatov was born in Sheker, a small village in Talas province, near the border with Kazakhstan.

The Kirov Reserve is the second largest reserve in Kyrgyzstan, with a large lake on the Talas River, which is well worth a visit. Besh-Tash National Park has been a protected area since 1996, and boasts one of the most beautiful and unique juniper forests in the country. For those in search of something more adventurous, Manas Peak, the highest peak in the Talas range at 4482mts (14705ft), is a great place to visit.