a few km east of tales is the supposed tomb of manas, a kyrgyz hero/legend. north west of the town you can enter the besh-tash (5 rocks) mountains. getting away from talas is a pain. you probably won't be able to find a bus going to bishkek through the mountain pass n the east, meaning you have to go through kazach territory, meaning you'll need a transit visa, which you can't obtain in talas...




