Must-See Sights in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan
The Talas Region in Kyrgyzstan is a treasure trove of natural wonders and historical landmarks, offering visitors a diverse range of experiences. The Talas Valley, with its verdant fields and traditional Kyrgyz villages, provides a picturesque backdrop for exploring rural life. The Manas Ordo historical complex honors the legendary hero Manas, showcasing the epic’s cultural importance through monuments and exhibits. Kyzyl-Too Mountain offers stunning vistas and excellent hiking opportunities, while Sary-Chelek Lake, nestled in a biosphere reserve, enchants with its pristine waters and alpine setting.
Manas-Ordo
is a cultural and historical complex that embodies the story of Manas, the famous epic hero of Kyrgyzstan. According to legend, his tomb is located here. Manas-Ordo is located 15 km east of Talas city. According to legend, Manas’ headquarters was in the Talas valley.A little about Manas and what he meant to the Kyrgyz people. Manas is the hero of the world’s greatest epic, surpassing the famous Indian Mahabharata and Homer’s Iliad. The Manas Ordo complex was created to preserve the memory of these important events in Kyrgyz culture.
Besh-Tash Nature Reserve
is a large nature park located in the Talas mountain range. It is located south of Talas city and includes the Bes-Tash, Korba, Kumush-Tas and Urmalal valleys. The altitude of the protected area ranges from 1100 m to 3500 m. Besh-Tash means ‘five stones’ in Kyrgyz. This special name was given because of the five stones standing in the Besh Tash gorge, where there is an interesting legend that they turned into stones as a result of the cruelty of five bandits.
Besh Tash Lake
is one of the most beautiful lakes in the north of Kyrgyzstan, located in the Talas region. Besh Tash Lake is the largest lake in the Besh Tash Nature Reserve. The lake is located in the beautiful Besh Tash gorge with alpine meadows and spectacular views.The lake is 28 meters deep and 3000 meters high. The water of the lake is a gorgeous turquoise blue, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding snowy peaks and green meadows.
The Talas River
is a pearl of Kyrgyzstan’s nature. Flowing through the beautiful valleys and mountains of the Talas region. Its length is about 221 kilometers, starting in the Trans-Ili Alatau and flowing into the Chu River. The river is rich in a variety of fish species such as trout, burbot, whitefish and salmon, and is also home to many species of wildlife. The distance from the capital Bishkek to the Talas River is approximately 400 kilometers. For the convenience of traveling, it is best to use a car or bus transport. The journey will take about 6-8 hours, giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy the scenic views of nature along the way.
Kirov Reservoir.
The Kirov Reservoir is a large reservoir located in the western part of the Talas region, famous for its dam with Lenin’s monument. This is an outstanding monument of Soviet monumentalism. The epic tells of the Kyrgyz hero Manas, who led the Kyrgyz people back from Altai to Tien Shan and later protected them from Chinese raids. As the epic is historical, a significant part of the The construction of the reservoir began in 1965 and lasted 10 years in the Chon-Kapka gorge. Previously, the village of Kirovskoye was located on the site of the reservoir, but it was moved to the neighboring territory.
