Merki

Merki stands east of Kulan, along the old road through the northern foothills of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. High in the mountains to its south lies a Turkic sanctuary spread across grassy plateaux. Its burial mounds, stone enclosures and carved human figures bear witness to a tradition of remembrance and ritual among the peoples of the steppe. Some of the stone figures stand alone, while others are gathered in groups beside the graves.