Sites and highlights of Kyrgyzstan
Here you can find places and sites, highlights to visit during tour in Kyrgyzstan.
Burana (from Turkic "monara" - minaret). One of the most important historical sites and highlights in the Chui valley, about 60 kilometers east of Bishkek. The Burana monument is a minaret left from probably a larger architectural complex on the territory of the ancient city of Balasagun, which disappeared in the medieval era. The history of building the complex still remains a mystery. It was built around the 11th century and the minaret originally was about 45 meters high (one of the highest in medieval Central Asia). The city was captured by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and was heavily damaged. It never recovered again and gradually disappeared in the 15th-16th centuries, though travelers observed ruins of its mud buildings and palaces until the 19th-20th centuries. During the Soviet era several archeological expeditions excavated areas around Burana and their findings can be viewed in the collection of the Historical Museum in Bishkek. After 1991 the site became one of the most frequently visited.
Issyk Kul lake. Issyk-Kul is the pearl of Tien Shan - the name means "warm lake" because it never freezes. This is because it is located in the center of the basin, it has no effluent, and the presence of vaporization means that the water is salty, which lowers the freezing level. In fact, in the northeastern part, which is the driest and narrowest, a thin ice crust can sometimes appear. The lake is located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, in the center of the lowlands, surrounded by mountains. It is about 180 km long and 60 km wide, and the maximum depth is 700m, the lake is the second largest mountain lake (after Lake Titicaca in South America). It is also called the second most transparent lake in the world (after Lake Baikal), visibility is 20 m. The water level varies and decreases, partly due to the distribution of rivers for irrigation, and this is also possible due to climatic changes. It is a drainless lake located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan. The lake is one of the world's largest, although its water level fell by about 8.5 meters between 1856 (year of the first official records) and 2002. Issyk Kul lake is bordered by the Kungey-Alatau Range in the north and the Terskey-Alatau Range in the south. The northern sandy beaches of the lake have been used for recreational tourism since the 1950s. The lake is also noted for clear water, which gives life to more than 20 kinds of fish. The naked osman, the chebak, and the carp are fished for commercial purposes. Kyrgyz archaeologists claim that they discovered large underwater settlements, which disappeared most probably due to a large earthquake or water rise in the Middle Ages
Rukh Ordo complex. Ruh Ordo is a center of exchange and mutual enrichment of cultures. You will discover for yourself the wonderful world, where the world and national religions, ancient legends and historical events, scientific facts and fantasy have met. The choice of place to create a complex is not unintentional. From South side Ruch Ordo is washed by the waters of the Issyk-Kul lake, full of secrets and mysteries. From the north, is located Kungei Ala-Too, Solar Mountain. The terrain is convenient for observing the Sunrise and Sunset. And Sun is eternal witness of History. The ideological purpose of this center was to present 5 major religions side by side symbolizing unity of all faiths. Ruh Ordo means Spiritual Centre and this place brings that spiritual aspect to the forefront. The center has the five identical white chapels in a circle equal-distant from each other with the symbols of each religion on top. The chapels itself contains relics of each religion and the idea is that there needs to be tolerance and respect for people of other faiths.
Dungan mosque. Dungan refugees moved to Karakol from China in 1877 and formed here community. In 1907 they invited Chjou Siy, an architect from Beijing. Together with other 20 people they started preparing materials for future mosque. In three years they completed the mosque. The most amazing thing about this mosque is that it was built without a single nail or any metal ligaments. The mosque was built in the style of a Chinese Buddhist temple. All colors of the mosque represent various Dungan cultural concepts. Red color protects against evil spirits, yellow color accumulates wealth and brings well-being to the house, and green color brings happiness. The building of the Dungan mosque in the city of Karakol was not always used for its intended purpose. In the 30s of the 20th century, when the practice of religious rites was prohibited throughout the country, Soviet authorities closed the mosque. In the years of World War 2, when Muslim community initiated collection of money for the needs oа war, practicing of religion and construction of places of worship were allowed. Moreover, the Dungan mosque in Karakol was also opened. Nowadays, the mosque belongs to all Muslim community of Karakol town, also it is one of the famous sight to visit in Karakol.
The coast of the lake is home to 66 species of waterfowl, which usually spend time here from May to September. It is noteworthy that sleep a stake instead of nesting the Indian goose. Also sleep Kul space for scientific research. By nature, Son Kul without fish lake. However, there were acclimatized many types of fish. Up to 100 tons of fish are caught in the lake annually. Since ancient times, this place was chosen by herders for the campsites. Nomads use the coast of the lake as pasture. They spend summer here with their families. Like a huge sparkling bowl, the lake radiates a pearl shine in the rim of the snow-white mountain ranges. hospitable shepherds will meet you as dear guests. here you can taste koumiss fresh milk and every inhabitant will gladly invite you to stay overnight. being here on the shore of a mountain lake around which giant expanses of green grasses and colorful flowers are stretched, I understand where you can get the real world of the world, which gives the supreme opinion. this world can be in your heart.
The mountain of calcareous rock is a five-headed rocky height 1175 meters above sea level. Its length is more than 1,140 meters, width - 560.
From time immemorial Sulaiman-Too had a sacred significance, as evidenced by the petroglyphs preserved here. According to legend, the biblical King Solomon (Suleiman) himself visited the mountain. Until the 16th century, it was called Bara-Kukh, and later became known as Takht-i-Suleiman - "The Throne of Solomon". At the top of the mountain is the mosque "Taht-i-Suleiman", built during the reign of the commander Bobur of the Timurid dynasty.
Inside Sulaiman-Too there are seven caves, one of which is the Osh United Historical and Cultural Museum. Ancient monuments of architecture, such as mosques and mausoleums, are also spread out at the foot. On June 29, 2009 Sulaiman-Too was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Exploration of Konorchok Canyons. This is the place where time and thoughts about the everyday stay. Konorchok's eolian canyons are over one and a half million years old. During this time, a column of clay pillars honed by the wind rose to 500 meters, its labyrinths stretched 200 kilometers. Images of famous animals and fairy-tale creatures are easily guessed in the rocky clay castles. You need to explore this place for at least two days, just beware of the caustic sun and not hoping for rain. And do not miss the opportunity to capture the sunset in the canyons.
Meet the sunrises here is a pleasure. Just imagine how you will walk barefoot on the grass covered with dew, or wander through the forest with a basket in search of beautiful pine cones or wild berries. As in the morning, you will drink hot and fragrant rosehip tea, comfortably seated in a road chair.
You can breathe the fresh air of the lake in the morning or evening, comfortably sitting on board a comfortable boat. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of the shores of the lake. Each motor ship is equipped with seats, bathing vests for both adults and children. The diving is done under the supervision of experienced sailors who will assist you at any moment. You will be served by a friendly and experienced captain. There is a bar with refreshing drinks on board. During the ride, the researcher will tell you a lot of interesting information about the Issyk-Kul water area!
Tours, designed for people without special training, do not suggest overcoming obstacles above the third category, which, although it does not exclude the likelihood of an extreme situation, does not threaten anything serious except the release of adrenaline into the blood.
However, rafting requires strict adherence to safety rules and the availability of necessary equipment.
Those who quickly get tired of the city bustle go here - in the evenings on the coast and in the nearby mountain gorges it is cool, in the mornings the air is saturated with freshness. You can book a tour in Kyrgyzstan via this website and have a rest on the Shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
We are happy to give more about travelling in Kyrgyzstan:
Son Kul lake
Sulaiman Mountain in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Arslanbob
Uzgen complex in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Manas complex
