15 THINGS TO DO IN KYRGYZSTAN

Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is not a very flashy tourist destination if you want to see big buildings, intricately designed architectural structures and modern amusement parks. No, you won’t find that here. What you will mostly find in the country, as listed in this Kyrgyzstan travel guide, is abundance in natural beauty like lakes and summits. There are a few structures built centuries ago which complement the picturesque scenery of Kyrgyzstan.

1. Lake Issyk-Kul

Lake Issyk-Kul is the top most tourist attraction in the country. It is an endorheic basin meaning there is no water outflow to bigger rivers and seas. Amidst all that, the lake’s water is very clear and it is breathtaking to look at.

The lake is covered with short summits all around it which are sometimes capped in snow. But the shocking thing about the lake is that no matter how cold the surrounding is, Issyk-Kul never freezes. It is a must to visit this lake and it is one of the things to do in Kyrgyzstan.

2. Sulayman Mountain

The second-most famous landmark in Kyrgyzstan is the Sulayman Mountain. The mountain is located in Osh and is also inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009. They termed it as Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain with a level iii and vi criteria. The organization called it a perfect epitome of a sacred mountain. It is believed that the Muslim prophet Sulayman was buried in this mountain – there used to be a shrine there where his remains lie and women who climb the treacherous mountain shrine is rewarded with healthy children.

3. Altyn Arashan

The meaning of Altyn Arashan is Golden Spa and it is an alpine valley close to Karakol and Issyk-Kul Lake. It has thermal springs and very stunning forest scenery which is 2,300 meters above sea level. Within the area is the Arashan State Nature Reserve. It is a botanical research center which takes care of twenty snow leopards and some bears. If you are into mountain hiking, this is a great location to do just that.

4. Ala Archa National Park

Here is another alpine forest located in Tian Shan Mountains. The Ala Archa National Park is known for its Ala-Archa River gorge and the peaks surrounding it. Locals who want to get away from their busy Monday-to-Friday life in Bishkek go to the park and plan a weekend stay. They bring their own tents and food. Activities like river swimming and mountain trekking is on the to-do list in Ala Archa. On the base of the mountain, it can be dry; but on top, you may be able to experience walking on glaciers.

5. Burana Tower

They also call Burana Tower as the Ruins of Balasagun. In actual, it is a minaret – an Islamic-style tower. It is called as such because it is the only structure left in the ancient city of Balasugan which dates back to 11th-12th century and there is a legend behind the tower. To visit this tower is one of the things to do in Kyrgyzstan.

It used to be the home of a princess back in the day. Her father, the King, had to exile her daughter because of a witch’s premonition. The witch told the King that her daughter will die when she steps the age of 18. And even if she was kept there, she still died as envisioned. A poisonous spider bit her.

6. Osh Bazaar

When in Kyrgyzstan, don’t forget to pass by Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. You will everything “Kyrgyzstan” within the open market stalls. There are food, home essentials, clothing and more. It would be like Pan’s Labyrinth inside meaning it is easy to get lost! The Bazaar is really big but travelers have commented that people are very friendly and accommodating.

Did you say cheap? Yes. You can bargain the already low price of the goods. You might even get lucky and receive a 20% discount on your purchases.

7. Ala-Too Square

The Ala-Too Square is located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and it is one of the most visited landmarks in the country. Residents, locals and tourists flock the area because of its importance. When there are state celebrations or affairs, it usually happens in the square.

Back in 2005, more than 15,000 were there in Ala-Too Square for a protest. They wanted to oust Askar Akayev from office; he was the first president of the country. They succeeded in doing so but had a hundred comrades injured in the process while two have perished in the event.

8. Toktogul

Actually, Toktogul is a town in Kyrgyzstan with natural and man-made attractions. One of its natural tourist spots is Lake Toktogul. If you are in the town center, just walk up to the edge and you will see the beautiful lake. It would also be nice to swing by the Kara-Su Village and take a picture of their non-functioning in-the-forest Ferris wheel.

You also have to try the Toktogul ice cream in the bazaar. It is something different to the taste and uniquely Kyrgyzstan. One of the things to do in Kyrgyzstan is to stop by Toktogul and experience serenity.

9. Lenin Peak

Lenin Peak is a mountain shared by Kyrgyzstan with Tajikistan. It is a 7,134-meter climb but even amateur mountaineers say that it is fairly easy to overcome. The mountain is the second tallest peak in both countries and it was discovered in 1871. It is also part of the Trans Alay Range.

They used to call it Mount Kaufmann after Konstantin Kaufman, Turkestan’s Governor-General in 1867. A few decades after that, it was renamed as Lenin Peak in honor of Vladimir Lenin, a Russian revolutionary leader.

10. Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve

Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve was recognized by UNESCO in 1978 as part of the Ecological Sciences for Sustainable Development. It is located in the Tien Shan Mountains with an area of 23,868 hectares. It is considered an alpine forest with lots of flora and fauna. For example, you will be able to see Walnut, Fir, Spruce and Juniper here. There are also grape meadows with some apples and pears. A nut forest area also exists in the nature reserve.

11. Tash Rabat

The Tash Rabat Complex is located in the middle of mountains of At Bashy District in Naryn Province. The travel is about 90 minutes from Naryn central and 3,200 meters up. Once you get there, the air is crisp and fresh plus you’ll get to see this 10th century monument. One of the things to do in Kyrgyzstan is to visit Tash Rabat.

Some say it used to be an inn for the Great Silk Road. Others believed it was a Buddhist monastery. The history is quite vague. The only thing certain about it is that the complex it has thirty rooms and a central hall. The materials used to make it were clay and crushed stone.

12. Manas Ordo Complex

The Manas Ordo Complex is a historical place for the people of Kyrgyzstan because their war hero named Manas was buried in the area. The burial site was later on made into a mausoleum in honor of their hero. It was believed to have been created in 1334 AD with a “bizarre” inscription. On his mausoleum it said something like – this mausoleum is dedicated to Kenizek-Khatun, the daughter of Emir Abuka. This was done through the wishes of Kanikey, the wife of Manas.

13. Karakol Mosque

It has many names – Karakol Mosque, Dungan Mosque and Issyk-kul Central Mosque of Karakol City. Karakol Mosque was established by a man named Ibrahim Aji with the help of Chou Seu, a well-known architect in Beijing that time. It was 1904 when construction of the mosque began and they completed it in 6 years. Can you imagine a structure without nails? Well, the mosque is one of those nail-less buildings and to this day, it functions as a sturdy prayer house for Muslims.

14. Zhashyl-Kol

Kyrgyzstan is not big on structures and skyscrapers. But what it has that other countries lack is the beauty of nature. One of the things to do in Kyrgyzstan is to explore their natural attractions like the Zhashyl-Kol. Zhashyl-Kol is one of the most beautiful lakes in the country and in Kyrgyz dialect – the name means “green lake” – when the sun shines on the water, it exudes an emerald color. And that’s not all. You have to climb the Chon-Kemin Valley just to see this scenic wonder because it is 3,200 meters above sea level!

15. Shakh-Fazil Archaeological Complex

There is a story behind the Shakh-Fazil Archaeological Complex. It all started more than 1,000 years ago when the Muslims invaded Ferghana Valley (the area). The locals weren’t happy about it and so they plotted to kill their captors during their most vulnerable time (Friday prayer congregation) and they succeeded.

A local woman by the name of Bulan, who was a faithful consort to Jarir (the Arab leader), tended to the dead soldiers and Allah rewarded her. Jarir’s son, Shakh-Fazil, learned about the ambush, he came back and captured the place. He was the one who had the mausoleum created. Today, you will see Bulan’s shrine in the area and a necropolis of the 2,700 soldiers who died in the massacre.