Entertainment and Attractions of Kyrgyzstan
Unique natural attractions and ancient cities of the Great Silk Road are the two trump cards of Kyrgyzstan in attracting tourists. The Tien Shan and Pamir ranges lie on the territory of the state, one of the largest and deepest lakes of the planet is located here – Issyk-Kul, sung by the poets of the East, relict walnut forests of the Arslanbob high-mountain oasis, Jety Oguz gorge and radon-hydrogen sulfide thermal springs, the legendary Son-Kul lakes. Kul and Sary-Chelek, the giant Inylchek glacier and many other wonders of nature. Mountain lovers climb the peaks of Lenin, Pobeda and Khan Tengri, trekking fans explore the Turkestan Range and lakes of the Western Tien Shan, and skiers can’t wait for the season to open to be the first to cut the snow on the slopes of Kashka-Suu, Norus and Too Ashuu. Check liuxers for customs and traditions of Kyrgyzstan.
Sights of Bishkek: the ancient and colorful Osh Bazaar, Ala-Too Square, the Independence Monument and the Parliament building, the Museum of National History and the Museum of Art, the historical oak forest and the Erkindik Gallery. In the vicinity of the city, it is worth visiting the natural park “Baityk Valley” and climbing Mount Boz-Peldek, which offers a beautiful view of Bishkek. At the southern slope of the mountain there is a cemetery “Khan’s graves”, where the legendary ruler of the valley is buried. Pay attention to the forged tower with a magnificent dome. You can see rare plants in the Chon-Aryk botanical reserve, and improve your health at the peat mud deposit in the village of Kamyshanovka.
Representatives of the fair sex will appreciate Kyrgyz jewelry: familiar bracelets, rings, earrings and exotic forehead and hanging pendants.
In Osh, there are wonderful monuments of Islamic architecture of the Fergana style: Alymbek Paravanchi madrasah and Mukhamedboy Turk hal Muratbaev, Sadykbay and Shahid-Tepa mosques. It is worth visiting the Russian Orthodox Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk Church (beginning of the 20th century). Among the historical sights are an ancient cemetery, a complex of medieval baths, ancient petroglyphs. In addition, Osh is the “gateway to the mountains”: from here you can climb the Pamirs and the Tien Shan, see the Chil-Ustun and Chil-Mayram caves, as well as the unique karst source, the Abshir-sai waterfall.
Lake Issyk-Kul is the second largest in the world and, perhaps, the first in terms of the amazing color of the water – rich blue, almost ultramarine. The water of Issyk-Kul is exceptionally clear and slightly salty in taste, as about 80 rivers flow into it, and not a single one flows out. In the vicinity of the lake there are hot springs and there are deposits of therapeutic mud.
You can live the nomadic life of a real Kyrgyz by going to the high mountain pastures “jailoo” – a healthy sleep under the canopy of a yurt, a cup of koumiss in the morning and all day in the fresh air – this is the guarantee of Asian health.
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Climate of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has a sharply continental climate with a transition to a continental climate. Precipitation is comparatively low; there are about 250 sunny days a year. On the plains and lowlands, the average temperature in January is -4…-6 °C, in July – +18…+24 °C. It is cooler in the highlands both in winter and in summer due to constantly blowing winds from Siberia: -14…-20 °C in January and +8…+12 °C in July. In the Fergana Valley in the summer, the thermometer, as a rule, rises above +35 °C. The most favorable time to visit Kyrgyzstan is September, when pleasant autumn warmth reigns throughout the country. You can go to the high mountain pastures “jailoo” from mid-May to early October, hiking and horse riding tours are comfortable from March to November in the south and from April to October in the north. Trekking and climbing are available throughout the year.
Tourist safety
Kyrgyzstan is a completely safe country for Russian tourists. It is worth exercising the usual caution: do not walk at night in unfamiliar places, keep an eye on your bag and wallet, beware of pickpockets in crowded places and bypass noisy “drunk” companies. Despite the fact that the majority of the Kyrgyz are Muslims, rather loose moral standards reign here, especially in the capital: walks “by the hand” and other chaste displays of affection will not attract surprised looks. At the same time, when going to the outback, it is better to behave with restraint and dress accordingly: without mini and transparent chiffons.
Photographing airports and military installations is prohibited.
Kyrgyz tap water is safe to drink, tasty and even, according to locals, good for health, because it comes straight from mountain springs. However, bottled water is also sold everywhere, and in terms of quality it is not inferior to any “Borjomi”.
