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San-Tash Pass

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Landmark
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San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)

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The San-Tash Pass, situated at an elevation of 2,195 meters in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, is home to one of Central Asia's most poignant historical monuments. The pass is famous for a massive, man-made mound of boulders linked to the legendary conqueror Tamerlane. According to tradition, before embarking on a military campaign, Tamerlane ordered every soldier to place a stone in a pile. Upon their return, each survivor took one stone back; the remaining stones formed a permanent memorial to those who perished in battle. The name 'San-Tash' translates appropriately as 'counting stones.' Archaeologically, the mound serves as a silent witness to the centuries of migration and trade along the Silk Road. The surrounding landscape provides dramatic views of the Tian-Shan mountain range and serves as a gateway between the Issyk-Kul basin and the Karkara Valley. For travelers, San-Tash represents a unique intersection of archaeology and folklore, set against the starkly beautiful backdrop of the high Kyrgyz mountains.

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Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-7-427111618171260-5
Rain mm141826475050383527282817

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
San-Tash Pass is a freely accessible open-air landmark. You can come anytime to see the legendary stone mound, and there is no entrance fee since there are no buildings. The area is usually accessible year-round, but heavy snowfall can make the road impassable.
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Typical hours
Being an open-air landmark, there are no fixed visiting hours. It is best to visit during daylight to clearly see the stones and the surrounding landscape. Usually, access is recommended from sunrise to sunset.
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Photography
Photography is allowed at any time with no restrictions. For atmospheric shots of the stone mound, early morning or late afternoon hours are recommended when the light is softer. A tripod can be useful as it can get windy.
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Time needed
A visit to San-Tash Pass typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Allow extra time if you want to explore the surrounding hills or have a picnic. The path to the stone mound is short and easy to walk.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with other attractions in the Talas Valley, such as the Talas Regional Museum or the Shah-Fazil Mausoleum. From Bishkek, you can plan a day trip covering several historical sites along the Silk Road.
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Getting there
San-Tash Pass is located about 200 km southwest of Bishkek near the town of Talas. The best way to get there is with a 4WD vehicle, as the last few kilometers are on a gravel road. Public transport goes to Talas, from where you need a taxi or a provider with four-wheel drive.
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Insider tip
Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no food facilities on site. Wear sturdy footwear as the ground can be uneven, and a hat and sunscreen are also recommended in clear weather.

Geography

Coordinates
42.75330, 79.03470

Facts

  • The pass is at an elevation of 3,200 meters.
  • The stone cairns stretch over 3 kilometers.
  • The battle occurred in the 17th-18th centuries.
  • Over 3,000 cairns are estimated to exist.
  • Each cairn contains 100 to 200 stones.
  • The pass is located in Ak-Suu District, Issyk-Kul Region.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Karkara Historical FairgroundKarkara Historical Fairground14 km · EExplore →
Karkara ValleyKarkara Valley14 km · SEExplore →
Jyrgalan ValleyJyrgalan Valley17 km · SExplore →
Lake KaindyLake Kaindy53 km · NWExplore →
Altyn-ArashanAltyn-Arashan55 km · SWExplore →
Dungan MosqueDungan Mosque59 km · SWExplore →
KarakolKarakol61 km · SWExplore →
Przewalski Memorial and GravePrzewalski Memorial and Grave63 km · SWExplore →

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Sights in the town San-Tash Pass (1)

Tamerlan Stone📍 landmark

The Tamerlan Stone at San-Tash is a historical mound of rocks supposedly gathered by Timur's army to count their surviving soldiers.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What does the name San-Tash mean?
The name means "counting stones" and refers to a legend about Tamerlane.
What is the legend of the stone heaps?
Tamerlane ordered each soldier to lay down a stone; upon return, each survivor formed a new heap.
Where is the San-Tash Pass located?
It is located in eastern Kyrgyzstan, near the border with Kazakhstan, east of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Are there archaeological sites there?
Yes, there are numerous burial mounds (kurgans) from various eras nearby.
When is the pass passable?
Due to snow, the pass is often only safely passable from late spring to early autumn.
San-Tash Pass: where is it located?
San-Tash Pass is located in Kyrgyzstan.
San-Tash Pass: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
San-Tash Pass: why is it worth visiting?
The San-Tash Pass, situated at an elevation of 2,195 meters in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, is home to one of Central Asia's most poignant historical monuments.
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Nearby cities

Kyzyl-Tuu Heritage Village — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Kyzyl-Tuu Heritage Village
A village famous for the centuries-old tradition of handmade Kyrgyz yurts.

History & landmarks

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Karkara Historical Fairground
A historic border area that hosted one of Central Asia's largest trade fairs for centuries.
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Barskoon Inscription Stone
A historic stone in the Barskoon Gorge with inscriptions linked to Tamerlane's military campaigns.
Tamga-Tash Inscriptions — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Tamga-Tash Inscriptions
Three large granite boulders with Tibetan Buddhist inscriptions dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.
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Tegerek-Saz Petroglyphs
These rock carvings near Issyk-Kul depict complex scenes of riders and animals.
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Orto-Tokoy Burial Mounds
A group of ancient burial mounds (kurgans) located near the Orto-Tokoy reservoir.
Kochkor Rock Art Site — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Kochkor Rock Art Site
Located near the town of Kochkor, these rock carvings date from various eras, from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.
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Koshoi-Korgon Fortress
A massive 7th-century mud-brick fortress that served as a seat for local rulers.
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Kara-Bulak Necropolis
An ancient burial ground in central Kyrgyzstan with over 100 burials from the early Iron Age.

More places

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Przewalski Memorial and Grave
The final resting place of the famous Russian explorer Nikolai Przewalski on the shores of Issyk-Kul.
Naryn Regional Museum — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Naryn Regional Museum
A key cultural center in Naryn documenting the history of high-altitude life and the traditions of the Kyrgyz nomadic people.
Shamsy Valley Site — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Shamsy Valley Site
This site is where a famous 4th-5th century golden queen's mask was discovered.
Chuy Regional Museum — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Chuy Regional Museum
A museum in Tokmok dedicated to the history and archaeology of the Chuy Valley.
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Ak-Beshim (Suyab)
The ruins of the ancient city of Suyab were once the capital of the Western Turkic Khaganate.
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Suttu-Bulak Archaeological Site
An archaeological site featuring remains from the Saka and Wusun periods.
At-Bashy Ancient Settlement — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
At-Bashy Ancient Settlement
Archaeological remains of a medieval city along the At-Bashy River.
Navekat Ruins — San-Tash Pass (Kyrgyzstan)
Navekat Ruins
This archaeological site in the Chuy Valley contains the remains of a major medieval trading city.