Overview

Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Kyrgyz Republic, is a country located in Central Asia. It is a land locked country bordered by Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the Southwest, and China to its east. The name Kyrgyz is believed to mean Forty Tribes, and it is a reference to the historical hero Manas. Legends say that he unified the country's forty tribes to fight against the Mongols. The 40-ray sun on the nation's flag symbolizes those forty tribes.

Kyrgyzstan achieved its independence after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. It joined with four other Central Asian Republics that same year to form the new Commonwealth of Independent States. The capital of Kyrgyzstan is Bishkek, formerly known as Frunze.

Activities & Attractions

Bishkek is located in the northern part of the country. It has a number of different ski lodges in the surrounding mountains that are very popular with tourists and skiers. If you feel like staying indoors you can visit one of the museums in the city, like the Frunze Museum or Tinibek Sadykov Museum. The Bishkek Historical Museum, Monument for the Great War of the Native Country, Monument of Manas, and Monument of Independence are other fascinating places to visit in the city.

Lake Issyk Kul in the Chon Kemin Valley is a perfect place for sightseeing. The valleys and mountains around the lake are surely worth the visit. There are also many trails around the lake to go trekking in. If you are a keen trekker, you can add a visit to the far southern region of this country. The heavily glaciated Pamir Alai Range is visited by enthusiastic trekkers and mountaineers. Burana Tower, a tourist attraction near the city of Tokmok, is an 11th century minaret and one of the first buildings of its type in central Asia.

Lodging

Many of the hotels in Bishkek are expensive. Some of the inexpensive include the Royal Beach, Best Eastern Pinara, and Hotel Dostuk. There are also a couple of bed and breakfast inns that are inexpensive, such as the Backpackers Hostel and Celestial Mountains Guest House. If you wish to know more about lodging facilities in Kyrgyzstan, check out thewebsites found below in the resources section.

Transportation

Transportation is constrained because of the alpine topography of the land. Unlike modern countries, horses are still one of the preferred modes of transportation, especially in the more rural areas.

Roads connect the major cities in the country, but beware of mud slides and avalanches. If you wish to travel in buses or shared taxis, you can do so relatively cheaply and reach most major cities.