Tag: “Kyrgyzstan”

24 results found.

  1. Braving the Torugut Pass

    A short section of the Silk Road is explored in an overland journey from Kashgar, China into Kyrgyzstan, via the illegal Torugut mountain pass.

  2. The hills above Naryn

    The Kyrgyz city of Naryn is located in a valley, and is surrounded by easily accessible hills, foothills and mountains - an excellent place for either a liesurely stroll or a strenuous hike.

  3. The village of Kochkor

    The small village of Kochkor is located on the main road between Lake Issyk-Kul and the city of Naryn. It's a great place to relax for a weekend if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

  4. Between Kochkor and the Chuy River

    Just north of the village of Kochkor lie freshwater springs which flow into the Chuy River. A five minute walk will lead you into this relaxing paradise, spotted with sheep, cows and horses.

  5. Naryn Mosque

    In recent years, Saudi Arabian benefactors have paid for the construction of mosques throughout the country of Kyrgyzstan. Most are nothing architecturally special.

  6. Burana Tower

    Burana Tower, located about an hour east of Bishkek near the city of Tokmok, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagyn, once the thriving capital of the Karakhanid Empire. Apparently, at its height, the city manufactured exquisite glass and ceramics, had an elaborate city-wide irrigation/plumbing/sewer system built with fired-clay pipes, was home to scholars, poets and numerous religions (although in its later years it became a Muslim city), it was home to fierce warriors – male and female – and it was a major stop on one of the Silk Road routes (from the Torugart Pass out of China, past Lake Issyk-Kul through what is now Bishkek before heading further westward.

  7. The Sacred Spring

    Atop a mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan, between the village of Chong Kemin and the town of Balykchy, lies a sacred spring. The spring flows year-round from the mountain, and nearly all passersby stop to wash in and drink from its waters.

  8. Karakoo

    Karakoo (pronounced kara-koh) is a small village of a few thousand, located a few miles from the southern shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk Kul. This rural community survives mainly off of farming and herding.

  9. Lake Issyk Kul

    If you look at a map of Kyrgyzstan, you cannot miss Lake Issyk Kul, the largest lake in the country, located in its northeastern quadrant. The lake is roughly 182km long by 61km wide, and at its deepest, it reaches a depth of 702 meters.

  10. Sweet Sixties

    Cafe Sweet Sixties is a wonderful little cafe in central Bishkek, located at the corner of Molodaya Gvardia and Kievskaya. They serve tasty Mexican, American and Italian food, have a full bar, and offer live music seven nights a week.