The sights of Kyrgyzstan, discovered relatively recently by tourists, attract with their national flavor. Here you can feel the true spirit of Asia and even live for a while like a nomad, shop at local bazaars where everyone trades with everyone, as well as look at the ruins of ancient times. Knowing what to see in Kyrgyzstan and having read the reviews of other people who have already visited this peculiar state, you will be able to make a convenient and rich route. Our rating of the best attractions with descriptions and photos is based on the opinion of travelers and attendance statistics. But everyone has their own tastes, so use the information below to select interesting places specifically for you.
What to see in Kyrgyzstan first of all
The sights of Kyrgyzstan are, first of all, natural beauties. Pristine forests, mountain rivers and lakes, waterfalls and hot springs, inaccessible mountain peaks, desert territories and areas completely covered with ice are at the disposal of foreigners. In one review, it is difficult to describe all the wonders that can be seen in Kyrgyzstan, but we tried to tell you about the most fascinating of them, adding to the list no less interesting historical, cultural and architectural memorabilia. Please note that to inspect some of them, you will need to sacrifice your usual comfort and/or time, because some of the objects are located far from populated areas.
We offer you options for what to see in Kyrgyzstan and stay 100% satisfied with your trip:
1. The Tien Shan Mountains
Tien Shan Mountain Landscape
Tien Shan Mountains – located on the territories of five countries at once, this mountain system is perfectly visible even from Earth orbit. The Tien Shan Mountains stretch for 2.5 thousand kilometers, and any climber will want to climb to the top of Victory Peak, which is included in the list of seven thousand meters. People come here who are sincerely in love with mountains or those who have never seen truly high peaks. The bird’s-eye views remain in the memory forever, so this attraction of Kyrgyzstan will never cease to be interesting to tourists.
Official website: https://tourkg.com
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2. Lake Issyk-kul
The transparent surface of Lake Issyk-Kul
Lake Issyk-kul is a popular place for beach holidays, the feature of which is comfortable climatic conditions, or rather, a combination of mountain and marine climate, and a gentle entrance to the water. The large depth of the lake (the maximum value is 702 meters) allows swimming and water sports, and its considerable size provides opportunities for a large number of tourists to relax. The advantage is also the fact that the territory is improved – there are umbrellas, sun beds, cafes and bars, equipment rental points, etc. 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 better to go here in summer, when the water temperature is most comfortable for swimming.
Official website: https://tourkg.com
3. Altyn Arashan Gorge
The natural landscape of the Altyn Arashan gorge
The Altyn Arashan Gorge is the best place to visit in Kyrgyzstan for lovers of swimming in mineral springs. There are reservoirs with different types of healing waters to choose from. They are considered especially useful for patients with nervous diseases, pathologies of the heart, kidneys and bones. The recreation area is located in a very picturesque place near the settlement of Ak-Suu at a distance of almost thirty kilometers from Lake Issyk-Kul. The resort has been operating since the first half of the sixties of the twentieth century, and the maximum temperature reaches +41 degrees Celsius. It is often here that couples in love spend their time.
Official website: https://about.kg
4. Sacred mountain Sulaiman-Too
Museum on the sacred Sulaiman-Too mountain in Osh
Excursions in Kyrgyzstan often include the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain in their itinerary. This is a limestone mountain range with a length of about 1,140 meters, which was included in 2009 as the first among the rest among the monuments protected by UNESCO. Tourists are invited not only to climb, but also to visit the museum and admire with their own eyes the structures preserved from past eras. If you are not afraid of enclosed spaces, then it is worth taking a closer look at one or more of the caves.
Official website: https://tourkg.com
5. Ala Archa Gorge
Ala Archa Gorge in Ala Archa National Park
The Ala Archa Gorge is a protected area allocated by the government, which is made unique by the division into zones with different types of climate. The variety of plant and animal species is also pleasantly surprising, and the nearby steep slopes are ideal for mountaineering training.
Official website: https://ala-archa.kg
Feel the atmosphere of Kyrgyzstan in this beautiful video!
6. Arslanbob
Big walnut forest in Arslanbob Ekrem Canli
Arslanbob: village, resort, tract, waterfalls, walnut forest – a favorite holiday village among those who love hiking. During the walk, you can see walnut trees that are hundreds of years old and feel complete unity with nature. If tracking is not for you, book an off-road car tour to see the incredible Kyrgyz landscapes.
Official website: https://about.kg
7. Jety Oguz Gorge
The Jety-Oguz Mountain Gorge or the rocks of the Seven Bulls
The Jety Oguz Gorge is a place that is present in all guidebooks, which tells what to see in Kyrgyzstan for active tourists. It is located on the southern side of the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and attracts with the unusual red hue of the rocky mountains. You can also go to the thermal springs in the resort area located very close. Mystical stories and legends are associated with many rocks of the gorge.
Official website: https://about.kg
8. Tash Rabat Caravanserai
The Tash-Rabat caravanserai is an architectural monument of the early Middle Ages
The Tash-Rabat caravanserai is an ancient building on the territory of the modern Naryn region, dating back to the fifteenth century. Previously, a monastery monastery was built on this site, but in the Middle Ages a place was set up for temporary residence of merchants traveling to the Ferghana Valley. The territory of China begins nearby, and one of the winding and turbulent tributaries of the Kara Koyun River flows nearby.
Official website: https://about.kg
9. Burana Tower
View of the Burana Tower
The Burana Tower is an important historical monument of Kyrgyzstan, which is a multi–level complex built in the 10th-11th century, of which only the minaret remains intact. The tower rises almost 22 meters, although the original height was about forty meters. If you wish, sculptures and tombstones of ancient times with petroglyphs are located within walking distance. For the construction of the building, red brick was used, part of which has survived to our times. The city of Tokmak is twelve kilometers away.
Official website: https://about.kg
10. Gumbez Manas Mausoleum
The facade of the mausoleum of the hero of the epic Manas Miflhanc
The mausoleum of Gumbez Manas is a funerary complex made of baked bricks with Arabic inscriptions and traditional ornaments, as well as a pointed dome. It is often visited not only by foreign tourists, but also by local residents. If you believe the legend, the most talented architects of Samarkand and Bukhara were engaged in the construction, although outside the building there is a mention of the burial of the daughter of one of the emirs.
Official website: https://tourkg.com
Sights of Kyrgyzstan: what else to visit in Kyrgyzstan
The list of attractions in Kyrgyzstan can be continued for a very long time, but if we talk about those that have gained the most fame, then these include:
11. Petroglyphs of Saimala-Tash
Petroglyphs of Saimala-Tash in the mountains of the Ferghana range
The petroglyphs of Saimala-Tash are one of the treasures of the planet in the heart of the Ferghana range, representing three groups of clusters of rock carvings created using tools made of bronze and iron. The main theme of the images is related to animals, in particular, their domestication and hunting. In one of the zones there are pictures of chariot rides, made without much detail. The nearest settlement is Jalal-Abad, and the petroglyphs themselves are located at an altitude of 3 to 4.5 thousand meters, which makes them not too accessible to ordinary travelers. The total number of drawings exceeds twenty thousand.
Official website: https://www.gumilev-center.su
12. Inylchek Glacier
Panorama of the Inylchek glacier
The Inylchek Glacier is the largest existing glaciated formation in the form of a tree, covering more than 500 square kilometers. More than seventy smaller glaciers are attached to it, which form its crown.
13. Lake Sary-Chelek
Freshwater lake Sary-Chelek
Lake Sary-Chelek is a lake formed about ten thousand years ago at an altitude of more than 1800 meters, where it is worth coming for a walk along the picturesque coast, exploring unusual flora and fauna, as well as a memorable picnic in nature.
Official website: https://about.kg
14. Son-Kul Lake (Sonkel)
The water surface of the Son Kul Lake
Son Kul Lake (Sonkel) – an amazing reservoir hidden inside the Tien Shan is located at an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters, covering an area of 270 square kilometers. The lake (or rather, part of its coastal territory) has the status of a nature reserve of national importance, and many of the animals and plants that are here belong to the rare category.
Official website: https://about.kg
15. The bazaar in Osh
Dried fruits and spices at the Osh bazaar Thomas Depenbusch (Depi)
The bazaar in Osh is a landmark of Kyrgyzstan, which all the guests of the country are delighted with, because here you can buy high–quality goods of local and foreign production at favorable prices, while getting great pleasure from the bidding process. They first started trading here two thousand years ago, and since then the range of goods has been constantly growing, but the market location remains unchanged. Unlike other bazaars, the stalls are open every day, so you don’t have to choose a special day for the trip.
The abundance of tourist attractions opens up a lot of opportunities for guests of the country, but on the other hand, there are not so many ideas of what to see in Kyrgyzstan in 1 day, because there is not enough time for moving. It is worth coming here for at least 5-7 days, preferably 2-4 weeks, during which you will fall in love with nature and will be able to feel the full extent of the hospitality of the locals. To avoid time delays, look at the map where the most interesting sights of Kyrgyzstan are located.
It is highly undesirable for tourists who come here for the first time to go to the mountains themselves. There is a risk of encountering wild animals, getting injured, getting lost, and in winter getting caught in an avalanche. The best guides in Kyrgyzstan are local residents, most of whom have been working with tourists for a long time and are ready to show beautiful places for a reasonable fee. It is not difficult to find an escort to inspect architectural and historical memorabilia. If desired, you can find a suitable guide in advance. Have a good time exploring the sights of Kyrgyzstan! Also read about the best sights of Kazakhstan and be inspired for your further journey through Central Asia!
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