Rarely known facts about Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan, a small Central Asian republic, is rapidly gaining popularity. In the first half of 2022 alone, nearly 4 million visitors explored its wonders. This land, where ancient legends come alive and towering peaks rise above the clouds, offers a unique experience. Here’s why Kyrgyzstan captivates travelers:

1. Tourism Boom: Each year, around 8 million foreigners visit Kyrgyzstan, surpassing the country’s entire population of 6.7 million. Visitors are drawn by its pristine nature, including snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes.

2. Mountain Majesty: Kyrgyzstan is among the world’s highest countries, alongside Bhutan, Nepal, and Bolivia. Over half of its territory is situated between 1,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, with a third reaching 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Mountains cover three-quarters of the republic’s area.

3. Victory Peak: The highest point in Kyrgyzstan and the Tian Shan range, Victory Peak stands nearly 7,500 meters tall. Climbing this formidable mountain is as challenging as Everest, with climbers considering it the most inaccessible of the seven-thousanders.

4. Issyk-Kul Lake: Kyrgyzstan boasts over 2,000 lakes, with Issyk-Kul being the most famous. It is the world’s second-largest saltwater lake after the Caspian Sea and one of the planet’s clearest bodies of water, second only to Lake Baikal. Additionally, it is connected to the Pacific Ocean via underground rivers.

5. Mertsbacher Lake: In eastern Kyrgyzstan, near the Chinese border, lies the enigmatic Mertsbacher Glacier Lake, situated over 3,000 meters high. It mysteriously vanishes twice a year, in winter and summer, draining into the Inylchek River before reappearing. Scientists have yet to provide a comprehensive explanation.

6. Urban Centers: Kyrgyzstan has only three major cities: Bishkek (1 million people), Osh (320,000), and Jalal-Abad (110,000). The remainder of the population resides in smaller towns and villages.

7. Dungan Mosque: In Karakol, you can find the Dungan Mosque, a Chinese architectural gem built in the early 20th century without nails. This pagoda-like structure is joined with notches in the logs and adorned with traditional carved motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and lions.

8. Arslanbob Walnut Forest: Located 80 km from Jalal-Abad in the Arslanbob Valley, the world’s largest walnut forests span 6,000 square kilometers. Some trees reach 30 meters in height and are over 1,000 years old. Legend has it that Alexander the Great brought walnuts from this region to Greece.

9. Moon Flower: In the south, near Batken, you can see the rare “moon flower,” locally known as the Edward’s fritillary. Its dark yellow or orange flowers bloom in April and last just a couple of weeks.

10. Epic of Manas: Kyrgyzstan’s national treasure is the epic poem «Manas,» the longest in the world, consisting of half a million lines. It is listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and in the Guinness World Records. A statue of Manas, the epic hero, stands in Bishkek’s central square, and the epic’s name graces both a university and an airport in the capital.

11. Aigul Flower: The uniquely beautiful Aigul flower, found only in Kyrgyzstan’s mountains, was listed in the Red Book in 1978. As an endemic species, it grows exclusively on the Aigultash mountain, 15-18 km from Batken. Legend holds that seeing this flower in bloom brings boundless happiness, though its flowering period lasts only two weeks.

12. Space Perspective: Astronauts claim that from space, the famous Issyk-Kul Lake resembles a human eye.

13. Nomadic Traditions: Like Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan still has genuine nomads living in yurts and moving with their herds.

14. Unique Fleet: Kyrgyzstan boasts the world’s only high-altitude military fleet.