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.

WHAT TO DO IN JAPAN – 15 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN JAPAN

15 Tourist Attractions in Japan

Japan is such a beautiful country and people from all walks of life around the world would love to visit it and see the many wonderful structures – some ancient and some natural spots. If you are up for long walks, usually quiet and peaceful, Japan is your place to be. But there are party spots and shop-til-you-drop districts in the country too. So, to give you a complete rundown, here is a foolproof Japan travel guide for the vacationer like you.

1. Mount Fuji

The most famous tourist attraction in Japan is Mount Fuji. Have you noticed its perfect cone? The scene is just breathtaking even in pictures – what more if you go there and see it for yourself?

The summit is the highest peak in all of Japan at 12,389 feet. Some people attempt to trek the low peaks of the mountain. Some achieve to climb up to the top. At one point, there were 300,000 climbers in 365 days which means that the summit is a “crowded” climbing spot.

2. Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji means the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. They also call it the Rokuon-ji or in English, the Deer Garden Temple. It is the second most popular structure in Japan, UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site and a National Special Historic Site award holder in Japan. It was a project of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and was built by 1397. The whole temple has three floors with a golden phoenix statue on the roof top. It is enveloped in a pond and century’s old pagoda also exists in the area like the White Snake Pagoda.

3. Sensō-ji

If ever you’re in Japan, you must visit Sensō-ji. It is located in Taito, Japan and a very old Buddhist temple devoted to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. The ancient temple was founded by Kaishō and it was fully established around 628 AD.

This is the third most visited attraction in Japan due to its historical and cultural significance. Every year, there is a festival within the area of the temple called the Sanja Matsuri (happens every third Sunday in May). The whole (wild) affair lasts for four days and the street wherein the temple is situated are closed for public and private transportation.

4. Kiyomizu-dera

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan is Kiyomizu-dera. It is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and is part of the Historic Monument of Ancient Kyoto by UNESCO. Yes, it is a World Heritage Site which was inscribed in 1994 and has the level ii and iv criteria.

The temple was completed by 778 AD as founded by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, a ruler during the Heian period. Later on the temple was damaged and it was restored by Tokugawa Iemitsu.

5. Tōdai-ji

The Tōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan which was constructed in the 8th century, specifically 728 AD, through the efforts of Emperor Shōmu. UNESCO included this temple under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara together with seven other structures in the city. They used to name Tōdai-ji as one of the Seven Great Temples in Japan. The temple was dedicated to the Emperor’s son named Prince Motoi. He didn’t have the chance to grow old and died a year after he was born.

6. Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Shrine is another Shinto temple in Japan. It is located in Shibuya and was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The complex was established in 1920 and all in all, the area is 70 hectares.

The most common activity to do in the Meiji Shrine is to write your prayers. There is an area in the complex where you can sit down and write your deepest wishes and hopes. You can leave your prayer at the designated structure and it is believed by many to eventually come true.

7. Harajuku

You may be familiar with the Harajuku phenomenon. Well it started here in Japan and in Harajuku district. It is popular because of their fashion sense – you will see a variety of fashion statements in the area worn by young people. Some of them too colorful and some too gothic; just watching them stroll by will surely make you smile. There are also a lot of tourist sites and shopping destinations in Harajuku – include this district in your bucket list.

8. Shinjuku Gyoen

The Shinjuku Gyoen is a very relaxing and scenic garden park in Tokyo, Japan. The Naito family used to reside within the area back in the Edo period days (1603 to 1868). Today, it is a famous public park that locals and tourists visit just to admire the view and a place to unwind. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Japan.

The whole park is 58.3 hectares with around 20,000 trees. Of the 20,000 trees existing in the park, 1,500 of that are cherry trees. They grow during the months of March to April. They also have a greenhouse which protects 1,700 tropical flowers.

9. Itsukushima

They also call Itsukushima as Miyajima. It is an island is near Hiroshima Bay and it forms part of the Inland Sea of Japan. People go there because of its UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Itsukushima Shrine. They inscribed it as Itsukushima Shinto Shrine in 1996 with criteria of i, ii, iv and vi. It is believed that the shrine was erected in the 6th century.

If you go to the area, you will see the shrine and some pagoda temples like the Toyokuni Shrine. The Daiganji Temple is also in Itsukushima and it is a prominent Benzaiten temple.

10. Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is in Tokyo and it is the official imperial residence of the Emperor of Japan and the Imperial family. The palace now is where the Edo Castle to be located. The Edo Castle was a 15th century castle built by Ōta Dōkan (military government) and was used until 1873 before it was destroyed. In 1888, construction of the now Tokyo Imperial Palace began. There is a museum within the palace, an archive and many imperial offices.

11. Fushimi Inari-taisha

Fushimi Inari-taisha is a shrine in Kyoto, Japan which was established in the early 8th century as an Inari Shrine. It is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Japan which must be visited. When one says Inari Shrine it means that the shrine was dedicated to a Japanese God named Inari Ōkami – God of foxes, fertility, agriculture and industry. You will see a lot of statues and structures within the shrine and it would be nice to personally experience the place.

12. Hiroshima Peace Memorial

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is also called the Atomic Bomb Dome. The structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with level vi criteria and name inscribed as Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome). It was recognized in 1996 and it is the only building in Japan left standing after the atomic bomb was released. It is both a symbol of solidity – how it endured the bomb, one of the most destructive forces ever created by mankind – and hope; that there is life after such devastation.

13. Arashiyama

What to do in Japan, you ask? Well, go to Arashiyama. It is a spot outside Kyoto which is known to be a Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan. It has many attractions within the district and tourists go there for a day to explore the site. It has the Iwatayama Monkey Park – monkeys are living in the wild and you can take photos with them, feed them (supervised) and touch them too. Japan is famous for its Cherry Blossoms and you can see it here by the Moon Crossing Bridge. There is also a spectacular Bamboo Forest in the area and a lot more places to see.

14. Nijo Castle

The Nijo Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with inscription title Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities). It was constructed in 1679 under the initiative of Tokugawa shogunate, a Japanese military regime. The castle was last used in 1939. Today, it is a historical landmark in Japan and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. It is located in Kyoto and is a two in one fort. The Nijo Castle is composed of two palaces – the Ninomaru Palace and the remnants of Honmaru Palace.

15. Universal Studios Japan

The Universal Studios Japan is quite similar to the Universal Orlando Resort – it is composed of exclusive attractions which can also be found in the Orlando theme park. The whole park is 54 hectares or 108 acres big and it has five roller coaster rides. There are 10 areas in the park with numerous rides and two of which is unique to Japan namely Hogwarts Express Photo Op and the Black Lake. The Universal Studios Japan is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan with over 10,000,000 visitors each year since its opening in 2001.

15 THINGS TO DO IN KUWAIT

Things to Do in Kuwait

Kuwait is now a peaceful country full of hope and aspirations. It was once a subject of war but as a nation, they have liberated themselves from their attackers. Much of the country’s landmarks have been destroyed and the few remaining sights to see for those who are brave enough to travel the country are listed in this Kuwait travel guide. Here are 15 places to visit, attractions to explore, and things to do in Kuwait.

1. Kuwait Towers

The most visited attraction in the country is the Kuwait Towers. It was designed by a Danish architect named Malene Bjørn with a height of 187 meters for the main tower. The towers were inaugurated in 1979 and are a set of five water towers altogether. It has a lower sphere where it holds a water tank with a capacity of 4,500 cubic meters or 1.2 M gallons. The attraction is pleasing to the eyes and a lot of tourists take photos with it as the background.

2. Grand Mosque

Kuwait is a Muslim-dominated nation with about 60% Sunni-affiliated Muslims and 40% Shia-practicing Islam believers. Most of them pray five times a day at the Grand Mosque, Kuwait’s biggest Islamic structure at 20,000 square meters. It can hold at most 11,000 worshippers at a time with a separate section for praying women. The mosque was completed in 1986 and an estimated $48.6 M US dollar was spent to finish the religious structure. It has 26 domes and 1 minaret. One of the things to do in Kuwait is to visit the Grand Mosque.

3. Al Hamra Tower

The Al Hamra Tower is considered a skyscraper in Kuwait which was awarded several times for its architectural design. It received a Bronze Unbuilt Project award, its first award in 2007 from Miami Architectural Bienal. The latest recognition it received was from Cityscape in 2010 – Commercial / Mixed Use Built.

The tower is the tallest structure in the country at 414 meters. It has 80 floors in total, a shopping mall and commercial offices. The tower was opened in 2011 and the Al Hamra Real Estate Company spent $500M US dollars for its completion.

4. Kuwait Zoo

The Kuwait Zoo in Omariya, Kuwait is 400 hectares or 900 acres big all in all. It has four sections namely the Animal section, the Cultural Department, the Services and Maintenance office with Life Sciences division and it also has its own veterinary clinic. Tourists and residents of Kuwait visit the zoo especially the Animal section. They check out the Nile crocodile, the Reptile House with a huge boa constrictor inside, an Asiatic Black Bear, a Korean Water Deer and big cats like the cheetah, tiger and lion.

5. Kuwait National Museum

The Kuwait National Museum is one of the most significant sights in the country. It showcases Kuwaiti heritage and history. The museum is home to the relics and artifacts found in Failaka Island and some of the collections from the residence of the late Shiekh Ahmed Al Jabber were also transferred here. It was opened in 1986 with three halls for various exhibitions and one building for administrative purposes. Visiting the museum is worth your time and it is one of the things to do in Kuwait.

6. Liberation Tower

The second highest tower in the country is the Liberation Tower and it is the 38th tallest free-standing tower in the world at 372 meters. At first, it was proposed for the tower to be named as The Kuwait Telecommunications Tower. The construction of the tower started before the 1990 Gulf War. When the war erupted, the tower was 50% completed. Good thing the tower was not damaged in any way during the war. The tower was completed in 1993 and they changed the name.

7. Seif Palace

The Seif Palace is in Kuwait City and it began its construction in 1904. The palace was revamped three times in the last century – in 1909, 1964 and 1987 and that was before the Iraqi war. There were no modern machinery and material back in 1909 and the only way this palace was erected was through the use of clay, stones, limestone, wood and some metal materials. Its most distinguishing feature is the clock tower covered in blue tiles with a pure gold plated dome.

8. Kuwait Science and Natural History Museum

One of the things to do in Kuwait especially if you have kids with you on your vacation is to visit the Kuwait Science and Natural History Museum. The museum is in Safat, Kuwait and was established in 1972. As of today, the building is composed of seven departments – The Natural History Hall, The Space Science Center, The Planetarium, The Electronics Department, The Machinery Segment, The Zoology Division and The Aviation Section. They also have a Health Hall.

9. Bayan Palace

One of the famous palaces in Kuwait is the Bayan Palace. They consider the palace as a great architectural masterpiece which was first used in 1986 to host the Fifth Conference of the Arab League. The whole palace is composed of the following structures – a complex holding the security command system of the palace and a massive parking facility. It also has a large conference hall and the Amiri Tent. The Amiri Tent was created due to the request of Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Within the compound, there is a helipad and a 1,200-person capacity mosque.

10. Kuwait Entertainment City

Kuwait Entertainment City is in Al-Asimah, Kuwait and is one of the most visited amusement parks in the country. It was publicly unveiled in 1984 with four sections namely, The Arab World, The International World, The Future World and the Provincial Garden. The amusement park has three roller coasters – they call the first one Oasis Express (1984). Then in 2004, they opened the second one called Lightning. The third one was named Fire Dragon and it has been servicing the park for nine years now.

11. Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum

During the Iraqi war, some freedom fighters took their stand and fought their invaders. It was ten hours of attacking and firing in Al-Qurain at that time and as expected, some of them have perished. Everything that transpired during that battle in Al-Qurain, February 24, 1991 to be exact, were documented in the Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum. The structure serves as a history awareness site for tourists and locals alike plus it is a memorial building for the fallen people of the battle.

12. Sadu House

Tourists also visit the popular Sadu House in Arabian Gulf Road. It features the textile heritage of Kuwait – manually weaved Bedouin and Urban textile. The Bedouin style of wool weaving is done by women in their desert homes. Urban weaving, on the other hand, is wool weaving done by men.

It tells a story about Al-Sadu, how wool weaving was the livelihood back then by making tents, storage sacks, and animal traps etc. That’s the Bedouin style. The Urban style is for cloaks and clothing. One of the things to do in Kuwait is to explore this wool-weaved textile house. It will be an interesting tour for you and it is something new.

13. Kuwait Scientific Center

The Kuwait Scientific Center is situated in Salmiya and is massive at 80,000 square meters. It has an aquarium with over 100 different kinds of marine species. A series of historical sailing vessels are on display too. The center also has an IMAX theater hall, a souvenir shop and more.

The aquarium can accommodate 1.5 million liters of water. It has sharks and fishes. The buildings are decorated with Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy. History of Kuwait related to dhows (sailing vessels) and pearl diving were also featured.

14. Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy

Many visitors of Kuwait are intrigued about the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy. It was created by Tareq Sayed Rajab himself, the first Kuwaiti citizen who was able to study art and archaeology in the UK. Everything inside the museum was a personal collection by Mr. Rajab and his wife, Jehan Wellborne. They travelled all over the world just to find and photograph about Islamic life and culture, among others. The museum was established in 1980 and it has around 10,000 artifacts.

15. Failaka Island

Failaka Island is an island in the Persian Gulf which is twenty kilometers from Kuwait City. It used to be inhabited by people back in 2,000 BC and there were archaeological sites discovered in the area which was connected to the Dilmun civilization. Failaka historical coins were collected and stone homes from 2,000 years ago were dug up.

Before the Iraq-Kuwait war, Failaka had 2,000 residents with several buildings and structures. Everyone had to leave because the place was not well-protected at that time. Today, it functions as a tourist spot. One of the things to do in Kuwait is to visit this beach island with a historical and archaeological past.