What to see in Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan draws travelers with its untouched mountain landscapes of the Tien Shan and Pamir ranges, its ancient cities along the Silk Road, and its vibrant Central Asian culture. While it’s impossible to see all the country’s sights in a single trip, a well-planned itinerary can cover the most important attractions. Start with the capital of Kyrgyzstan — Bishkek.

Founded in the 7th century, Bishkek has a surprisingly modern appearance. This large city by Kyrgyz standards features tree-lined avenues and parks, the most famous being Oak Park, home to centuries-old trees. Begin exploring the city at Ala-Too Square, where a statue of the Kyrgyz hero Manas stands proudly. Nearby is the Historical Museum, which houses ancient artifacts, including Bronze Age items, nomadic jewelry and weapons, and clay and straw crafts from local residents. The National Museum of Fine Arts, named after Gapar Aitiev, is notable for its extensive textile collection, with striking felt carpets featuring intricate designs. The Erkindik Gallery offers an open-air art display, showcasing works by local artists, carvers, and sculptors. It’s often compared to Arbat in Moscow.

If you want to relax in nature without leaving the city, Bishkek offers two botanical gardens. The first is located at an elevation of 900 meters in the foothills of the Chuy Valley, while the second, an arboretum, features plant species from around the world and Asia.

In the Chuy region, north of Bishkek, lies the town of Tokmok. However, its main attraction is located 12 kilometers away — the Burana Tower, a 22-meter-high minaret. This is the only surviving part of a 10th-11th century historical complex, with remnants of sculptures and ancient gravestones adorned with petroglyphs. Another archaeological site is Nevaket, also known as Krasnaya Rechka, located 30 kilometers from Bishkek in the Chuy Valley. Once a major stop on the Silk Road from the 8th to 12th centuries, Nevaket was home to followers of various religions, including Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims. One of the most significant finds at the site is a clay statue of Buddha.

Kyrgyzstan’s southern capital, Osh, boasts a wealth of historical landmarks. The city’s most iconic site is Sulayman-Too Mountain, the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. This sacred mountain, with its five limestone peaks stretching over a kilometer from west to east, is home to the restored Takht-i-Suleiman (Solomon’s Throne) mosque at its summit. At the base, visitors can find the 16th-century Ravvat Abdullakhan Mosque and the 18th-century mausoleum of Asaf ibn Burhiya. On the eastern side of the mountain are the remains of a medieval bathhouse, along with seven caves and preserved petroglyphs.

In Osh, a visit to the vibrant Jayma Bazaar, which sprawls along both banks of the river, is a must. Here, you can sample local dried fruits and taste traditional tandoor-baked samosas. The bazaar is also a great place to pick up souvenirs with authentic Kyrgyz flair, from carpets to traditional clothing. Osh’s most intriguing museum is the three-story yurt of the Kurmanjan Datka Historical and Ethnographic Museum, while the Turgunbai Sadykov Museum of Fine Arts offers a fascinating glimpse into the works of Kyrgyz modernist artists.

Jalal-Abad, a key city in southern Kyrgyzstan, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. A major attraction for visitors is the Shah-Fazil historical and architectural complex, located near the village of Safed Bulan, about 219 km west of Jalal-Abad. This site holds deep significance for Muslim pilgrims. The first religious structures were built here before the advent of Islam. Today, the Shah-Fazil complex includes the 19th-century Alamberdar Mausoleum, the sacred mountain Archa-Mazar with a hermit’s cave, a 17th–19th-century mosque, the execution site of 2,700 Muslim warriors, and two additional mausoleums: the 11th-century Shah-Fazil Mausoleum and the 19th-century Safed Bulan Mausoleum. It is believed that this location was the starting point for the spread of Islam by the Arabs across Central Asia.

Another notable site in the region is the Saymaly-Tash Petroglyphs, located 120 km from Jalal-Abad in the mountains of the Fergana Range at an altitude of 3,000–3,400 meters. The area contains three main collections of rock carvings: Saymaly-Tash 1, 2, and 3. The first, and largest, group has approximately 10,000 stones with petroglyphs dating back to the Bronze Age, while the second and third groups belong to the Iron Age. The site can only be visited in August, as the area is covered in snow for most of the year.

In central Kyrgyzstan lies one of the country’s most important architectural monuments — the Tash-Rabat caravanserai. Located in the At-Bashy district near the Chinese border, Tash-Rabat was built in the 15th century at an elevation of over 3,000 meters, on the site of a 9th-century monastery. During its time, it was a key stop along the trade routes crossing the Tien Shan mountains. The fortified caravanserai provided refuge for merchants and protection from raiders. From here, caravans traveled on to cities in the Fergana Valley. The stone fortress has remained largely intact, with its maze of corridors and a main hall crowned with a dome.

Central Kyrgyzstan is also home to traditional villages where life has changed little over the centuries. One such village is Kochkor, nestled in the Tien Shan mountains, where local women still make felt and carpets by hand, just as they have for hundreds of years. Kochkor is known for its large market square, and nearby is an abandoned underground sanatorium located in a salt mine. Another fascinating historical site is Koshoi Korgon, an ancient fortress on the Silk Road located 25 km from At-Bashy village, though today it lies mostly in ruins.

In the Talas Region, both Kyrgyz people and tourists make pilgrimages to the Mausoleum of Manas. Located 20 km from the regional capital, Talas, near the village of Tash-Aryk, the mausoleum is the centerpiece of the «Manas-Ordo» national cultural and historical complex. Built from fired bricks by craftsmen from Bukhara and Samarkand, the mausoleum was constructed in honor of the legendary Kyrgyz hero Manas. The complex also features an alley of monuments dedicated to the heroes of the Manas epic (with statues of forty horsemen and Manas himself), a museum of the Manas epic, and a traditional yurt where professional akyns (singers) perform the epic. The complex is situated near Karool Mountain, which is also mentioned in the Manas epic.

Kyrgyzstan’s greatest treasure lies in its diverse and unspoiled natural beauty. Even if you aren’t an avid hiker or outdoor enthusiast, it’s easy to admire the breathtaking views of the Tien Shan mountains and alpine lakes. So, where should you go in Kyrgyzstan to experience awe-inspiring landscapes?

Issyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul is perhaps the most accessible and popular natural destination in Kyrgyzstan. Visitors can relax on its shores at one of the many lakeside resorts or venture out to explore the surrounding area. Nestled between the towering ranges of the Kungey Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too in the Northern Tien Shan, Issyk-Kul offers opportunities for trekking, mountaineering, and rafting on the nearby Chu River.

Tien Shan Mountains
The Tien Shan mountain range stretches across five countries, covering a distance of 2,500 kilometers. The range’s highest peak, Victory Peak, at 7,439 meters, is a coveted challenge for climbers from around the globe. Other towering peaks in the Tien Shan, reaching over 7,000 meters, are also popular among mountaineers.

Ala-Archa National Park
Just 40 kilometers from Bishkek, Ala-Archa National Park is situated on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Range. The park offers dozens of trails of varying difficulty, as well as prime spots for rock climbing and mountaineering. The landscape is characterized by rugged mountain gorges, rushing rivers, and forested slopes that give way to snow-capped peaks. The park is home to wildlife such as the Turkestan lynx, griffon vulture, and the elusive snow leopard.

Töö-Ashuu Pass
The Töö-Ashuu Pass connects the Chuy Valley with the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan, leading to Osh. Its main attraction is the winding mountain road, which offers stunning, otherworldly views. The highest point of the pass is at 3,000 meters, surrounded by peaks covered in perpetual snow. This pass was once a key route for traders along the Great Silk Road and is considered one of the most scenic roads in Kyrgyzstan.

Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve
The crown jewel of the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve is Lake Sary-Chelek, the largest lake in the Western Tien Shan. Situated at an elevation of almost 2,000 meters, this mountain lake is renowned for its crystal-clear water, a rarity in the region due to the high mineral content in other bodies of water. Visitors can enjoy boat rides on the lake, and during the warmer months, even take a refreshing swim.

Kyrgyz-Ata National Park
Located in southern Kyrgyzstan, 40 kilometers from the city of Osh, Kyrgyz-Ata National Park stretches along the northern slopes of the Alay Range. The park is known for its picturesque juniper forests, a signature feature of the landscape. While exploring the park, visitors may discover caves, ancient petroglyphs, and the remains of old settlements and burial grounds. One of the most scenic spots is the Aravan Dangi Canyon.

Kulunatin Nature Reserve
Also situated in the Osh region, the Kulunatin Nature Reserve encompasses parts of the Fergana and Alay ranges. The reserve is famous for its striking mountain lakes, Kulun and Orto-Kol, as well as its alpine meadows and rugged gorges.