Tag: “Kyrgyzstan”

20 places found.

1. 

   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.

2. 

   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.

3. 

   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.

4. 

   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.

5. 

   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.

6. 

   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.

7. 

   Koshoy Korgon

   The ruined citadel of Koshoy Korgon, is located just outside of the village of Kara-Suu. Not much is known about this fortress (at least according to my guidebooks, anyway) but it dates from roughly the 10th century, and was probably Karakhanid.

8. 

   Community Based Tourism, Kyrgyzstan

   Community Based Tourism, or CBT, has offices throughout Kyrgyzstan, although their central office is located in Bishkek. CBT is an excellent resource for those travelling through Kyrgyzstan.

9. 

   The Village of Kara Suu

   The tiny village of Kara-Suu is located just outside the somewhat larger village of Kochkor, just off the main road connecting Naryn with Lake Issyk-Kol. While there are not many ammenities to be found in this tiny place, the scenery is spectacular, and it is a great place to begina horse-trek.

10. 

    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.