In the arms of the Tien Shan: Top 15 sights of Kyrgyzstan

Burana Tower

Burana Tower is one of the few historical monuments in Kyrgyzstan. This tower was a minaret for local residents and a landmark for the caravans of the Great Silk Road.

It is believed that the ancient city of Balasagun, which existed until the XIV century, was located here, around the Burana Tower. Today at the foot of the tower one can find stone sculptures "balbals" and other artifacts, the age of which proves that there was a settlement here in the II century. A visit to this place is included in many cultural tours in Kyrgyzstan.

Ala-Archa National Park

First of all, Ala-Archa is a breathtaking mountain scenery of the grandiose Tien Shan, characterized by a riot of colors and a variety of landscapes.

This state natural park of Kyrgyzstan is located about 40 kilometers from the capital of the country. It occupies the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Ridge and stretches to the Ala-Archa Gorge. The area was named after the river of the same name, which flows through the park from south to north.

Since 1951 active tourism has been developing here - mountaineering, hiking, climbing and sports walks. The reserve has dozens of routes through picturesque places, year-round bases with training camps for rock climbers. Because of its convenient location, residents of the capital like to come here for vacation. On weekends in sunny weather it can be especially crowded.

Lake Issyk-Kul

Lake Issyk-Kul is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the country.

Issyk-Kul is a unique place in every sense. The lake is located in the center of a large basin located between two huge ridges Kyungey-Ala-Too and Terskey-Ala-Too, creating an amazingly beautiful landscape.

The height of the lake is 1700 meters above sea level, which makes Issyk-Kul the second largest high-altitude lake in the world. Numerous glacial rivers descending from the slopes of the Tien Shan maintain the lake's fullness. Another unique fact is the water in the elephant's lake. This creates a peculiar marine climate in the valley and attracts even more travelers to the picturesque shores.

Sary-Cheletsky Biosphere Reserve

Another natural attraction of Kyrgyzstan of amazing beauty.

Since 1979 the reserve has been included in the international network of UNESCO biosphere reserves and is a specially protected natural area of Kyrgyzstan. The reserve is based on the Kojo-Ata River, Sary-Chelek Lake and 6 other small lakes.

National History Museum

The history of Kyrgyzstan has undergone many changes and events. Therefore, visiting the scientific and cultural center, where valuable information about the history of the country is stored, is recommended for everyone who wants to learn interesting details about the life of the local people since ancient times.

In the museum you can learn about the primitive Kyrgyz societies, the epochs of slavery, feudalism, the Soviet period and modern history. There are more than 90 thousand exhibits reflecting the history, traditions and everyday life of the Kyrgyz people.

Great Silk Road Local History Museum

To celebrate the three thousandth anniversary of the city of Osh on the eastern side of the Sulaiman-Too mountain, a local history complex "Great Silk Road" was opened.

It tells about the X century, when Osh was the third largest city in the Fergana Valley, where the caravan routes from India and China, following the Great Silk Road to Europe, crossed.

Chon-Kemin Gorge

Chon-Kemin, spread between the ridges of the northern Tien Shan at an altitude of 1300 meters, is not only a picturesque gorge with crystal air, coniferous forests and mountain streams, but also one of the most famous national parks, which is home to 4 species. stone marten, red deer, argali.

Tien-Shan Mountains

Tien Shan Mountains are located on the territories of five countries at once, this mountain system is clearly visible even from the Earth's orbit.

The Tien Shan Mountains stretch for 2.5 thousand kilometers, and thousands of mountaineers dream of climbing to the summit of Pobeda Peak, which is included in the list of seven-thousanders.

The views from the bird's-eye view remain in one's memory forever.

Sacred Mountain Sulaiman-Too

The Sacred Mountain Sulaiman-Too is a limestone mountain massif about 1140 meters long, included in 2009 first among others in the monuments of Kyrgyzstan under UNESCO protection.

Tourists here are offered not only to climb, but also to visit the museum and admire with their own eyes the structures preserved from the past eras. If you are not afraid of confined spaces, it is worth a closer look at one or more of the caves.

Arslanbob

Arslanbob: village, resort, tract, waterfalls, walnut forest - a favorite holiday village among those who enjoy hiking.

During a walk here you can see walnut trees, which are hundreds of years old, feel complete unity with nature. If trekking is not for you, book an off-road vehicle tour to see the incredible Kyrgyz views.

You can book a hotel in Kyrgyzstan with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Altyn-Arashan Gorge

The Altyn-Arashan Gorge is another picturesque reserve in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Untouchable forests, mountain rivers with waterfalls, glacial lake - it is very beautiful here and there is something to see at any time of the year. There are also many hot healing springs in the gorge. Mineralized water, radon, hydrogen sulphide - in one area the springs are all different and all contribute to recovery. You can take thermal baths all year round.

The city of Cholpon-Ata

Cholpon-Ata is a small town on the northern coast of Issyk-Kul. The number of its inhabitants does not exceed 14,000 people. However, in summer a miracle happens - the population increases tenfold - during the high season up to 400 thousand vacationers arrive here! Local beaches, clean water, numerous natural and man-made attractions serve as a place of attraction.

The city also has a museum dedicated to the life of nomadic peoples, the peculiarities of local culture and the Mana epic - this is the name given to the myths of the Kyrgyz people. But the most interesting thing is in the outskirts of the city - ancient burial grounds and rock paintings have been preserved in the nearby gorges.

Tash-Rabat Caravanserai

Tash-Rabat is one of the most mountainous sights of the Great Silk Road in Central Asia.

The exact date of appearance of the caravanserai is unknown, and it is assumed that it existed already in the X century, and the current building was built in the XV century, but for unknown reasons was not completed. Today this historical monument of Kyrgyzstan is visited only during large tours around the country, as it is located in a deserted mountainous area only 90 km from the border with China, and one of the winding and turbulent tributaries of the Kara-Koyun River flows nearby.

Jeti Oguz Gorge

Jeti Oguz Gorge is a place that is in all guidebooks of Kyrgyzstan.

The gorge is located on the southern side of the coast of Lake Issyk-Kul and attracts with its unusual red shade of rocky mountains. You can also go to the thermal springs in the nearby resort area. Mystical stories and legends are associated with many rocks of the gorge.

In addition to this natural formation, there is the "Broken Heart" rock, various resort areas and tourist yurt camps. And also several popular hiking mountain trails pass through Jeti-Oguz.

Przhevalsky Museum

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was a famous traveler and explorer who made many geographical discoveries in Central Asia and Tibet in the XIX century. Many of Przhevalsky's expeditions started on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, but unfortunately, before starting another journey in 1888, he fell ill and died in Karakol.

In 1957, near the tomb of the traveler, a museum named in his honor was opened, where numerous exhibits about the nature and geography of the region, as well as photographs and documents of the great traveler are collected.

Karakol city

Once in Karakol, first of all, it is worth seeing the functioning Dungan mosque, built in the early twentieth century according to the project of Chinese architects. The cult building has the shape of a pagoda and was built using a unique technology - without nails and metal fasteners. In addition, this architectural landmark is earthquake-resistant, it has a floating foundation.

Another symbol of the city is the Holy Trinity Church. This wooden building with five domes and a bell tower was built in the late mid-1890s on the site of a brick church destroyed during the earthquake.

Karakol also has a zoo (the only one in Kyrgyzstan, several green areas and a local history museum).