Where to rest in Kyrgyzstan? 5 places of “Central Asian Switzerland”, where you should go in spring

President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community

“In recent years, Russians have discovered many attractive tourist destinations that were previously undeservedly overlooked. Take Kyrgyzstan, for example. I was lucky enough to visit those lands, and I can say with certainty that this country is called “a small Central Asian Switzerland” for a reason. Majestic mountains, crystal clear rivers and lakes, healing mineral springs, coniferous forests, green alpine meadows – this is just a part of the splendor that awaits travelers in Kyrgyzstan. Spring is a good time to get acquainted with these beauties (the rains are over and the exhausting summer heat has not yet arrived), so it’s time to think about packing your suitcases. And I will traditionally tell you what places I found most interesting.

Bishkek

It should be said right away that you should not expect from Bishkek breathtaking panoramas, bright architectural finds or some innovative urban solutions. The city is something like Moscow of the 90s with its self-buildings, spontaneous markets, endless currency exchangers and not the best asphalt.

But in Bishkek live open and friendly people who are ready to tell long and emotionally about their country, and if necessary, to offer their help to travelers. And also in the capital of Kyrgyzstan you will be fed delicious and inexpensive food. What is not a variant of a hospitable transit point? Moreover, most of the sights, which will be discussed below, are within walking distance from here.

Lake Issyk-Kul

The calling card of tourist Kyrgyzstan. People come here for the “postcard” views and to unite with the beautiful local nature. The lake is located among mountain massifs at an altitude of about 1600 meters and is truly huge – its area exceeds 6000 square kilometers! Not surprisingly, there is a great variety of recreation options here too.

Issyk-Kul

Diesouthern side of the lake is wild and uninhabited. The local scenery resembles the deserts of Nevada or Arizona – pink and yellow endless spaces, which are alive only by herds of horses grazing in the distance, canyons with clefts of bizarre shapes, majestic mountains with their peaks in the clouds. And not a soul around! People come here either as savages with tents, or seek shelter in small private guesthouses scattered along the coastline. Since the distances here are decent, I recommend taking a local driver to see the main sights in two or three days.

First of all I advise you to visit Skazka Canyon, famous for its red clay rocks, between which there is a labyrinth of narrow paths. The view of this natural park is truly ethereal. The most spectacular object is the two layers of rock that rise parallel from the ground. From some angles they look like a real fairy-tale castle.

Fairy Tale Canyon

Dienorthern side is a more touristy place. There are a lot of hotels and guest houses here, among which you can choose an option suitable for any budget and format of rest. The bathing season starts in summer, but even without it there is enough entertainment. There are hiking and horseback riding trails through forests and high-mountain meadows – optimal for those who are hungry for warmth and want to see nature in full bloom.

Issyk-Kul

You can book a boat trip or a motor ship to compare landscapes on the northern and southern shores, and at the same time make a lot of colorful photos. Fans of fresh fish are offered to extract it from the lake depths. And, of course, it is impossible not to mention health-improving rest, because the northern coast abounds with mud balneological springs, which were once used for recovery even by Soviet cosmonauts. And you can lie in a mud bath both in a sanatorium and in wild places without infrastructure – the main thing is that it should be warm enough outside.

For those who are lost in the choice, I can recommend a small resort Cholpon-Ata. Kilometers of sandy beaches, fresh mountain air and springs with mineral water, which is believed to have healing properties, make Cholpon-Ata a real gem of the coast.

Cholpon-Ata Resort

Burana Tower and Konorchek Canyon

Combined these attractions in one point, as both are located relatively close to each other – in the Chui Valley between Bishkek and Lake Issyk-Kul.

Burana Tower is interesting both as a historical object and as a lookout point, from which a picturesque panoramic view opens up. The minaret was built in the times of the Karakhanids (X-XI centuries) – the first Turkic Muslim dynasty in Central Asia. In addition to the tower itself, travelers can get acquainted with household items and other historical finds collected in the open-air museum complex.

Burana Tower

Now this architectural monument is under state protection and is included in the UNESCO World Tangible Cultural Heritage List. You can take a look at the entire complex, as well as the green endless fields around it, from the top of the 26-meter high minaret (a token fee is charged for the ascent).

After immersing yourself in history, a good option is to head to Konorchek Canyon, which can be reached in about an hour by car. The local version of the Grand Canyon is definitely worth seeing, but carefully hides its secrets from prying eyes. To get here, you need to overcome the labyrinths of rocks along the bed of a dried up river. The route is not difficult, but trekking shoes are desirable. The reward will be the opportunity to see amazing natural forms, including the remains of the ancient volcano Segizkhan-Shokny.

Konorchek Canyon

Ala-Archa Nature Park

When Kyrgyzstan is compared to Switzerland, this is usually the place in mind. The typical panorama of the reserve is of rocky gorges mottled with turbulent rivers, waterfalls, green slopes overgrown with flowers, dense forests and snow-covered mountain ridges. The resemblance to alpine national parks is striking! The authorities of Kyrgyzstan are well aware of this, so they are actively developing tourist infrastructure here.

In the reserve there are many routes along the most picturesque places, observation platforms and parking lots for picnics (often it is the same location), year-round guest bases and training camps for those who prefer active recreation.

Local flora and fauna is of special interest – in the high mountains one can meet snow leopard, vulture, kumai, Turkestan lynx, as well as red-listed species of plants. Animals feel at ease thanks to strict rules prohibiting hunting, fishing, setting up tents and campfires on the entire territory, outside the specially designated areas.

Ala Archa Nature Park

Jalal-Abad

If your route is not limited to Bishkek and the surrounding area, you can visit Jalal-Abad (aka Jalal-Abad, Jalalabad and Jalalabat) – the third largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the northeastern part of the Fergana Valley in the foothills of Babash Ata.

Jalal-Abad

Once one of the largest branches of the Great Silk Road passed through Jalal-Abad, and now the city is famous primarily for its mineral springs. Die most famous among them is the well Khozret-Ayub-Paigambar, the water from which, according to legend, cured even leprosy. Guests should also try a local delicacy – the so-called “nut jam”, made from unripe walnuts with honey.

The world’s largest walnut forest, Arslanbob, starts just an hour and a half or two hours from the city. You can get acquainted with it from the village of the same name, from which hiking and horseback riding day tours are organized. If you decide to go to this area, take into account that the population of the village is a traditional, predominantly Uzbek community, so it is recommended to adhere to a conservative style of dress.

Arslanbob walnut forest

Otherwise, the locals, not yet spoiled by the attention of tourists, give the impression of being extremely open and friendly.