Sights in Kyrgyzstan Top 20 : In Kyrgyzstan, you can feel the real spirit of Asia and live for a while as a nomad, as well as shop at the local bazaar, bargain with everyone and see the ancient ruins. Knowing what to see and what to do in Kyrgyzstan, and reading the reviews of those who have already visited this unique country, will help you make a convenient and rich route. The first thing that attracts tourists to Kyrgyzstan is its natural beauty. Virgin forests, mountain rivers and lakes, waterfalls and hot springs, inaccessible mountain peaks, desert areas and areas completely covered with ice – all this is at the disposal of foreigners. However, it is no less interesting to get acquainted with the monuments of history, culture and architecture. To see the historical, cultural and architectural monuments of Kyrgyzstan, you will have to sacrifice your usual comfort and time.
Here are a few options for what to see in Kyrgyzstan and stay 100% satisfied with the trip:
1. Tien Shan Mountains
Tien Shan – located on the territory of five countries at once, this mountain range is perfectly visible from Earth’s orbit. The Tien Shan Mountains stretch for 2.5 thousand km, and any climber would like to climb to the top of Victory Peak – one of the seven thousand famous mountains. Those who really love mountains come here and have never seen really high peaks. This attraction of Kyrgyzstan will never cease to interest tourists, because the bird’s-eye view will forever remain in their memory.
2. Lake Issyk-Kul.
Lake Issyk-Kul is a popular place for a beach holiday, characterized by pleasant climatic conditions, or rather, a combination of mountain and sea climate, and a calm entrance to the water. The depth of the lake (maximum – 702 m) allows for swimming and water sports, and its considerable size gives many tourists the opportunity to relax. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, a cafe and a bar, equipment rental. An interesting fact is that this attraction of Kyrgyzstan brings the most money to the state budget in comparison with other tourist sites. It is best to go in summer, when the water temperature is most comfortable for swimming.
3. Altyn-Arashan Gorge
The Altyn Arashan Gorge is the best tourist destination in Kyrgyzstan for lovers of mineral baths. There are reservoirs with various types of healing waters. It is believed that they are especially useful for patients with neurological, cardiac, renal and bone diseases. The recreation area is located near the village of Ak-Suu, about 30 km from Lake Issyk-Kul. The recreation area has been functioning since the early 60s of the 20th century, with maximum temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius.
4. Sacred mountain Suleiman Too.
Sultan Suleiman Too is often included in the itinerary of excursions in Kyrgyzstan. This limestone massif with a length of about 1140 m in 2009 was first declared an object under UNESCO protection. In addition to climbing the mountain, tourists can visit the museum and see with their own eyes the preserved buildings of past eras. If you don’t mind enclosed spaces, it’s worth getting to know one or more caves better.
5. Ala-Archa Gorge.
The Ala-Archa Gorge is a state-protected territory divided into zones with different climates. The variety of flora and fauna is amazing, and the nearby steep slopes are ideal for mountaineering training.
6. Arslanbob walnut forest.
Arslanbob: village, resort, paths, waterfalls, walnut forests – a popular resort village for hiking enthusiasts. During the walk, you can see the century-old walnut trees and feel complete unity with nature. If trekking is not your thing, book an off-road tour to see the stunning Kyrgyz landscapes.
7. Jeti-Oguz Gorge
The Jeti-Oguz Gorge must be included in any guide to the sights of Kyrgyzstan. It is located south of the coast of Lake Issyk-Kul and fascinates with the unusual red color of its rocky mountains. There are hot springs not far from the resort. Many rocks in the valley are associated with mystical stories and legends.
8. Tash Rabat Caravanserai
The Tash Rabat caravanserai is an ancient building of the XV century on the territory of the Naryn region. A former monastery, it was built in the Middle Ages as a temporary residence for merchants traveling through the Fergana Valley. The Chinese territory begins nearby, and one of the winding and turbulent tributaries of the Kara-Koyun River flows nearby.
9. Burana Tower.
Burana Tower is an important historical monument of Kyrgyzstan, which is a multi-storey complex built in the X-XI centuries, from which only the minaret has been preserved. The height of the tower is about 22 m, but the original height was about 40 m. If desired, you can find ancient carvings with petroglyphs and tombstones within a few minutes’ walk. During the construction of the building, red brick was used, part of which has been preserved to this day; the city of Tokmok is 12 km away.
10. Gumbez-Manas Mausoleum.
The mausoleum of Gumbez-Manas is a funerary complex of baked bricks with Arabic inscriptions, traditional decorations and a pointed dome. It is often visited by both locals and foreign tourists. If you believe the legends, it was built by the most talented architects of Samarkand and Bukhara, but on the outside of the structure there are mentions of the burial of the daughter of one of the sheikhs.
11. Petroglyphs of Saimaluu Tash
The Saimaluu-Tash petroglyphs are one of the treasures of the earth in the heart of the Ferghana Mountains, representing three groups of rock carvings made with bronze and iron tools. The theme of rock paintings is mainly animal, especially animal domestication and hunting. In one of the zones there is a drawing of a chariot with minor details. The nearest settlement is Jalal-Abad, which is difficult for an ordinary traveler to reach, since the petroglyphs themselves are located at an altitude of 3-4,5 thousand meters. The total number of petroglyphs exceeds 20,000.
12. Inylchek Glacier.
Inylchek Glacier is the largest of the existing glaciers, its area is more than 500 sq. km. It is formed by more than 70 smaller glaciers.
13. Lake Sary-Chelek
Sary-Chelek is a lake formed about 10,000 years ago at an altitude of more than 1800 m. This is a place worth visiting to take a scenic walk along the shore, observe rare flora and fauna and arrange an unforgettable picnic in the bosom of nature.
14. Lake Son-Kol
Son-Kol Lake is a picturesque lake hidden in the Tien Shan, which rises more than 3 thousand meters above sea level. The lake (more precisely, part of its coast) is a protected area of national importance, and many representatives of flora and fauna living here belong to the category of rare species.
15. The bazaar in Osh.
The bazaar in Osh is a landmark of Kyrgyzstan and an object of admiration for all guests of the country. For the first time trade began here 2000 years ago, and since then the variety of goods continues to grow, but the location of the market does not change. Unlike other markets, the stalls here are open every day, so there is no need to choose the day of the visit.
The abundance of tourist attractions in Kyrgyzstan opens up many opportunities for tourists, but, on the other hand, there is not enough time to inspect them, so the idea of visiting all the main attractions of Kyrgyzstan in one day is not very realistic. To fall in love with nature and feel the hospitality of the locals, you need to spend at least 5-7 days or 2-4 weeks here. In order not to waste time, it is recommended to look at the map where the most interesting sights of Kyrgyzstan are located.
16. Osh Bazaar in Bishkek
Osh Bazaar is a bazaar with an oriental flavor, located almost in the very center of Bishkek. The energy of the bazaar can even scare people, especially those who have never been there. Osh Bazaar is located almost in the center of the city, at the intersection of Kievskaya and Beishenaliev streets. You can get to it both by public transport and by taxi. Osh Bazaar is also one of the departure points of intercity buses from Novopavlovka, Voenno-Antonovka, Sokuluk, Belovodsk and Kara-Balta.
17. Kegeti Gorge
– The Kegeti gorge is located on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Mountains, 70 km from Bishkek and 20 km from Tokmok. Unlike other gorges of the Kyrgyz Mountains, it is wide and spacious, which makes it attractive to a wide range of tourists, including fans of skyrunning, leisurely walks and cyclists. Being one of the longest valleys of the Kyrgyz Mountains (about 27 km), Kegeti is distinguished by a wide variety of terrain and many beautiful places.
18 Ala-Kol (also Ala-Kel and Ala-Kel)
– a large alpine lake Ala-Kol of glacial origin, located on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, near the city of Karakol, in the eastern part of the Terskey Ala-Too mountain range. It is located in a vast hollow between the Karakol and Altyn-Arashan gorges and has no exit. The name of the lake in Kyrgyz means “multicolored lake”, which corresponds to its location. The lake has bright turquoise waters, snow that does not melt even in summer, green meadows and colorful mountain flowers.
19 Canyon Skazka
– a small gorge on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, famous for its red rocks. The gorge is located near the village of Tosor, about 120 km from the city of Balykchi.
Canyon Skazka is very popular with tourists. The reasons for this are the ease of access to the gorge and its stunning landscapes and contrasts. Thousands of years of erosion of sedimentary rocks have played a role in the gorge.
20 Barskoon Gorge (also Barskown)
– one of the most beautiful Barskoon gorges on the southern coast of Issyk-Kul, famous for its high waterfalls and dense spruce forests. The largest gold mine in Kyrgyzstan, Kumtor, is located here. The first successful space pilot Yuri Gagarin also visited here. The Barskun Gorge is about 30 km long .
