Bishkek
Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 1 million, is situated in the north part of the country (Chui-Region). Especially the centre is heavily influenced by the Soviets, and you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonia – concert hall, government building, Historic Museum, Monument for the Great War of the Native Country) but also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence, as well as many statues of Akyns, Manas’chi and local governors of different periods). The city is famous being one of the greenest in the world, due to its countless parks and allees, which make the town a nice place to live also in the heat of the summer. More...
Osh
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan – reputedly 3000 years old. Archaeologists have found artifacts dating back to about the fifth century B.C. One claim that is often heard is that Osh is “Older than Rome”. There are several legends about the origin of the city – including claims to having been founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. More...
Talas
Talas is a little known town in a valley of the same name. It is cut off from the rest of Kyrgyzstan by the mountain ranges and the “easiest” route is via Kazakhstan – involving the need for a transit visa. It is, however, possible to reach the valley by following the Tuu Ashuu pass and then turning North off the main Bishkek-Osh road after skirting the Suusamyr Plain. More...
Naryn
Naryn is a long, thin town that straddles the fast flowing Naryn river and is set between high, steep cliffs. It still houses an army base and headquarters for the customs at Torugart - and so camping on the hills overlooking the town is forbidden Naryn is known mainly as a stopping point for travelers on the way to/from Kashgar, and unfortunately many guidebooks published in the West are not very complimentary about the town. More...
Djalal Abad
Djalal-Abad is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Jalal-Abad oblast (province). It lies in the south of the Kugart valley, in the foothills of the Babash Ata mountains to the North. More...
Balikchy
Balykchy city (former Rybachie) is located on the eastern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, at the intersection of Bishkek-Naryn and Bishkek-Karakol. It was founded as a post between Pishpek and Karakol. In 1871, there were only two clay-wall huts for travelers and an inspector's yurt. As time goes by, the village grew. In the mid 1980s, a retired soldier, M. Bachyn settled there and started fishing business. More...
Cholpon Ata
Cholpon-Ata is located 70 km to the East from the town of Balykchy along the northern shore of the Issyk-Kul Lake. It is the main resort center of the Issyk-Kul region. One can enjoy a mud cure at one of the many number of spas and health-resorts here. More...
Karakol
At the eastern tip of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol is a fertile garden town of wooden chocolate-box cottages and shady, poplar-lined avenues. Fringed to the east by the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, which tower dramatically over its low-rise skyline, Issyk-Kul ripples 10 km to the west. More...
Batken
Batken is situated in the extreme South West of the Republic, and consists of four mountainous regions, with altitudes ranging from 400 to 5621m asl.
The oblast was created in 1999 after incursions by armed militants of the Islamic Movement for Uzbekistan seeking to cross Kyrgyz territory between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. More...
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