last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Kyrgyzstan
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Location Map of Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kyrgyzstan has three sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Silk Road (2014)
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).
Sulaiman-Too (2009)
This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here and enjoy the panoramic views.
This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here and enjoy the panoramic views.
Western Tien Shan (2016)
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Bishkek
It's the capital and largest city of the country. Relatively recent, Bishkek isn't the most touristy, though its lively atmosphere, bazaar, and partly Soviet, "open" style are not without interest.
It's the capital and largest city of the country. Relatively recent, Bishkek isn't the most touristy, though its lively atmosphere, bazaar, and partly Soviet, "open" style are not without interest.
Jalal-Abad
A large city in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The Saimaluu-Tash petroglyphs are located in its vicinity.
A large city in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The Saimaluu-Tash petroglyphs are located in its vicinity.
Karakol
The large settlement on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. While it has relatively little to offer in terms of tourism, Karakol remains an excellent base for the many outdoor and adventure activities available in the surrounding area, such as hiking, skiing, mountaineering, or exploring the lake.
The large settlement on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. While it has relatively little to offer in terms of tourism, Karakol remains an excellent base for the many outdoor and adventure activities available in the surrounding area, such as hiking, skiing, mountaineering, or exploring the lake.
Kochkor
This mid-sized town west of Lake Issyk-Kul is primarily a starting point for exploring the surrounding area.
This mid-sized town west of Lake Issyk-Kul is primarily a starting point for exploring the surrounding area.
Naryn
This is the main town in the south/southeast and primarily a stopover or base for exploring this part of Kyrgyzstan.
This is the main town in the south/southeast and primarily a stopover or base for exploring this part of Kyrgyzstan.
Osh
The second city of Kyrgyzstan and the "capital" of the south offers a few monuments and a lively bazaar. It is also the gateway to the UNESCO-listed "sacred mountain" of Sulaiman-Too, which overlooks the city and the Ferghana Valley.
The second city of Kyrgyzstan and the "capital" of the south offers a few monuments and a lively bazaar. It is also the gateway to the UNESCO-listed "sacred mountain" of Sulaiman-Too, which overlooks the city and the Ferghana Valley.
Silk Road
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).
This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central Asia section. Beyond its "historical and cultural" value, it still offers traces of that period along its path (caravanserais, monuments, and more).
Saimaluu-Tash
This archaeological site is home to the largest number of petroglyphs in Central Asia.
This archaeological site is home to the largest number of petroglyphs in Central Asia.
Tash Rabat
A 15th-century caravanserai in a stunning setting on the Silk Road. Located near the Torugart Pass, it is accessible by hiking.
A 15th-century caravanserai in a stunning setting on the Silk Road. Located near the Torugart Pass, it is accessible by hiking.
Burana Tower
Around a hundred kilometres from the capital, this is a tall minaret and the last remnant of a 9th-century city on the Silk Road.
Around a hundred kilometres from the capital, this is a tall minaret and the last remnant of a 9th-century city on the Silk Road.
Ferghana Valley
This fertile valley spanning three countries is home to a large portion of the region's population, with villages, ethnic groups, traditions, and distinct cultures that are partly the cause of conflicts among neighboring countries.
This fertile valley spanning three countries is home to a large portion of the region's population, with villages, ethnic groups, traditions, and distinct cultures that are partly the cause of conflicts among neighboring countries.
Natural Heritage
Arslanbob Forest
This is the oldest and largest walnut forest in the world, surrounding the village of Arslanbob. You can ski or trek in the nearby mountain ranges.
This is the oldest and largest walnut forest in the world, surrounding the village of Arslanbob. You can ski or trek in the nearby mountain ranges.
Inylchek Glacier
One of the largest glaciers on the planet, located in the far east of the country in the Karakol region. It is dominated by several peaks popular with mountaineers.
One of the largest glaciers on the planet, located in the far east of the country in the Karakol region. It is dominated by several peaks popular with mountaineers.
Lake Chatyr-Kul
A pretty alpine lake in the south of the country, not far from the Torugart Pass, which connects the country to nearby China.
A pretty alpine lake in the south of the country, not far from the Torugart Pass, which connects the country to nearby China.
Lake Issyk-Kul
This vast mountain lake in the Tian Shan is the main attraction in eastern Kyrgyzstan. Visitors come for its landscapes, swimming at several "beach resorts" along its northern shore (including Koshkol, Tamchy, and Cholpon-Ata), fishing, and trekking.
This vast mountain lake in the Tian Shan is the main attraction in eastern Kyrgyzstan. Visitors come for its landscapes, swimming at several "beach resorts" along its northern shore (including Koshkol, Tamchy, and Cholpon-Ata), fishing, and trekking.
Pamir
This high-mountain range, though primarily located in Tajikistan and China, extends into southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It’s a region of stunning landscapes perfect for hiking and horseback riding, as well as mountaineering, particularly at Lenin Peak (7,134 m).
This high-mountain range, though primarily located in Tajikistan and China, extends into southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It’s a region of stunning landscapes perfect for hiking and horseback riding, as well as mountaineering, particularly at Lenin Peak (7,134 m).
Ala Archa National Park
Just a few dozen kilometres south of the capital, this park with its mountain-surrounded gorges is a highly popular spot for hiking on foot or horseback, skiing (at Toguz Bulak), and mountaineering.
Just a few dozen kilometres south of the capital, this park with its mountain-surrounded gorges is a highly popular spot for hiking on foot or horseback, skiing (at Toguz Bulak), and mountaineering.
Sulaiman-Too
This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here and enjoy the panoramic views.
This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here and enjoy the panoramic views.
Western Tien Shan
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.
A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and mountaineering. Its wildlife (wolves, bears, birds, etc.) and flora are also exceptionally rich.
Altyn Arashan Valley
A beautiful mountainous area with hot springs in the northwest, perfect for hiking.
A beautiful mountainous area with hot springs in the northwest, perfect for hiking.
Must-see & highly recommended
Pamir (Kyrgyzstan)
★★★★ This high-mountain range, though primarily located in Tajikistan and China, extends into southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It’s a region of…
Western Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan)
★★★★ A UNESCO-listed high mountain range spanning several countries, offering stunning landscapes and countless opportunities for hiking…
Recommended
Lake Issyk-Kul
★★★ This vast mountain lake in the Tian Shan is the main attraction in eastern Kyrgyzstan. Visitors come for its landscapes, swimming at…
Lake Son Kul
★★★ A stunning lake in the Tian Shan mountains, accessible on foot or horseback in summer.
Ala Archa National Park
★★★ Just a few dozen kilometres south of the capital, this park with its mountain-surrounded gorges is a highly popular spot for hiking on foot…
Altyn Arashan Valley
★★★ A beautiful mountainous area with hot springs in the northwest, perfect for hiking.
Worth a look / Other
Bishkek
★★ It's the capital and largest city of the country. Relatively recent, Bishkek isn't the most touristy, though its lively atmosphere, bazaar…
Inylchek Glacier
★★ One of the largest glaciers on the planet, located in the far east of the country in the Karakol region. It is dominated by several peaks…
Lake Chatyr-Kul
★★ A pretty alpine lake in the south of the country, not far from the Torugart Pass, which connects the country to nearby China.
Osh
★★ The second city of Kyrgyzstan and the "capital" of the south offers a few monuments and a lively bazaar. It is also the gateway to the…
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve
★★ A mountain and small lakes park in western Kyrgyzstan.
Silk Road
★★ This famous route between China and the Mediterranean, which reached its peak in the medieval era, is UNESCO-listed for its China-Central…
Tash Rabat
★★ A 15th-century caravanserai in a stunning setting on the Silk Road. Located near the Torugart Pass, it is accessible by hiking.
Ferghana Valley
★★ This fertile valley spanning three countries is home to a large portion of the region's population, with villages, ethnic groups…
Arslanbob Forest
★ This is the oldest and largest walnut forest in the world, surrounding the village of Arslanbob. You can ski or trek in the nearby mountain…
Jalal-Abad
★ A large city in the Ferghana Valley near the border with Uzbekistan. The Saimaluu-Tash petroglyphs are located in its vicinity.
Karakol
★ The large settlement on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul. While it has relatively little to offer in terms of tourism, Karakol remains an…
Kochkor
★ This mid-sized town west of Lake Issyk-Kul is primarily a starting point for exploring the surrounding area.
Naryn
★ This is the main town in the south/southeast and primarily a stopover or base for exploring this part of Kyrgyzstan.
Saimaluu-Tash
★ This archaeological site is home to the largest number of petroglyphs in Central Asia.
Sulaiman-Too
★ This "sacred mountain" overlooking the city of Osh and the Ferghana Valley was the country's first UNESCO-listed site. You can hike here…
Burana Tower
★ Around a hundred kilometres from the capital, this is a tall minaret and the last remnant of a 9th-century city on the Silk Road.