Talas is a small town in northwestern Kyrgyzstan, located in the Talas River valley between two imposing mountain ranges. Its population is 32,538 (as of 1999). It is the administrative headquarters of Talas Province. The town was founded by East Slavic settlers in 1877. To the south is the Besh-Tash (five rocks) valley with the Besh-Tash National Park.Its economy traditionally oriented towards the ancient city of Taraz in present day Kazakhstan. The only motorable road to Bishkek and the rest of the country rises to a height of more than 3500 m above sea level over the Otmok Pass (closed in winter) before descending in many turns to the Chuy Valley and Bishkek.
The mythical Kyrgyz national hero, Manas, is said to have been born in the Ala Too mountains in Talas oblast. A few kilometers outside Talas lies a mausoleum, supposedly that of Manas, called the Kümböz Manas. However, the incription on its richly-decorated facade dedicates it to "...the most glorious of women Kenizek-Khatun, the daughter of the Emir Abuka". Legend explains that Manas' wife Kanikey ordered a deliberately false inscription in order to mislead her husband's enemies and prevent the desecration of his body. The building, known as "Manastin Khumbuzu" or "The Ghumbez of Manas", is thought to have been built in 1334. It now contains a museum dedicated to the epic. A ceremonial mound also lies nearby.
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