1) Top places to visit:
Issyk-Kul Lake
Enclosed on all sides by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, Lake Issyk-Kul literally meaning “hot lake” is said to be the world’s second-largest alpine lake or second highest navigable lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The lake never freezes even in the depths of winter due to some thermal activity, strong winds, physics of deep water and unique microclimate over the lake. In lake flows 180 large and small rivers, but there is no streams flowing out of the lake. That is why the water is slightly salty. Called " Pearl of Central Asia", the lake changes color from pale green to turquoise blue depending on the day time and sun position. One would be astonished with its size and scenery of huge celestial snowcapped mountain peaks shining from across - in fact one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The area around the lake is well known for its beautiful sandy shores among locals and people from Kazakhstan and Russia, most of the resorts and hotels are on the north shore of the lake.
Burana Tower
75 km east from the city is a 25m-high tower, which dates from the 11th century and is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagyn. Some centuries ago the tower was 44 metres high, but after an earthquake in early 1900, the upper part fell down. The tower and a mosque were located 1 in the city centre of Balasagyn town - one of the centres of Karahanid state. The large area around the town was enclosed with 2 rows of fence, that still visible from the top of the tower. Nowadays there is a small museum of Burana, represented with the tower, the remains of three tomb mausoleums, and other exhibits, such us: stone sculpture - Balbals, petroglyphs, coins and other things founded during scientific explorations.
Ak Beshim
It is a site of ancient settlement dated to 6-12 cc, located 6 km to south-east of Tokmak township. Ak-Beshim was attributed to the types of towns typical for middle century Central Asia. Archaeological digs show the remnants of residential constructions, crockery, coins, items of art and other archaeological monuments. Also a temple of two buddhas, filled with remnants of sculptures, painting and building materials has been discovered.
Gumbez Manas
An interesting memorial, concerned with poetical legend, is situated 20km to the North-East of Talas, at the foot of the Manastyn-Chokusu Mountain, on the bank of the Kenkol mountain river. According to legend, many centuries ago, the legendary hero of the Kyrgyz epos - the warrior Manas - was buried here. The memorial is called the Gumbez ("Mausoleum") of Manas. The "Manas" Epos is the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people, which keeps on amazing mankind so many centuries after it was created. The epos is considered to be a sort of encyclopedia of the
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Kyrgyz people's life, evidence of its ancient history. There is nothing like it in the world, neither in verbal, nor in written form, where the historical, cultural, ethnographical aspects of one nation's lifestyle, traditions and customs are reflected.
Konorchek
On the way to Issyk-Kul Lake, right on the exit from Bo'om valley, one can see red aeolian (wind) outcroppings, looking like some fantastic skyscrapers – but this is only allusion to Konorchek. Konorchek itself is much further up to the mountains; it consists of the entire system of large and small sinuous and deep canyons with vertical walls. Some parts of the canyons have its own names and refer to the scenery: Hiroshima, bobsleigh, skyscraper, fairy tail, Grand Canyon and aeolian castles. They are all the products of erosion which lasts 1.5-2 million years.
Son Kul Lake
The largest lake in Naryn area is Lake Son Kul, lying at 3016 meters amongst steppe vegetation. It is 29 km long, 18 km across and 13 meters deep. The lake is home to countless wild geese, ducks and other waterfowl. It is one of the loveliest spots in Kyrgyzstan surrounded by 3 alternating white peaks; staying on the shore you can easily count the sheep on the opposite side of the lake. The lake's color changes from violet to dark blue to pink, depending on the time of day and the weather. There are no solid buildings in this area - shepherds come here in June and stay in yurts all summer long. The only place to stay here is a tent or, so called, "Yurt Inns" where you will be provided with sharing accommodation in yurta and traditional meals.
Tash Rabat Complex
Tash-Rabat was constructed in the 15th century, on the ancient trade route from Central Asia to China, and was a resting place for merchants, ambassadors, travellers and other wanderers. It is the largest structure built of stone from Central Asian architecture of that epoch. It is notable not only for it's size and building materials, but also for its special layout, based on perfect symmetry. Lost among the primeval wilderness, far from inhabited locations, the caravanserai looks unbleached, monumental and unassailable. About 520 km from Bishkek and at an altitude of about 3500m above sea level is the ancient caravanserai of Tash Rabat. This is a carefully restored stone building that once housed an inn on the Great Silk Road. The archaeological evidence suggest that the site was constructed in the 10th century for both resting and worship and would have served to protect caravans to and from China from both the ravages of the weather and of bandits. A centrally domed space is surrounded by some 30 or 31 smaller domed rooms, including a kitchen. Across the large open central space from the entrance is the "Khan's seat". It is possible to wander through the warren of small rooms that would have housed the guests. There are stories of a tunnel leading under the hillside for some 100 meters from the building to a lookout post on the other side of the hill. Maybe one of the reasons it has retained its character is that it is set on the main road from Bishkek/Naryn to Torugart, but some 15 km up a side valley. For many years the turn-off was not sign-posted and so travelers simply passed by unaware of what they were missing.
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Uzgen Architectural Complex
On the right bank of the Kara-Darya, in the country's south, there stands one of the most ancient cities in Kyrgyzstan - Uzgen with the 2,000-year history. In its central part is the Uzgen historical and architectural complex of the 11th - 12th centuries. It consists of three mausoleums conditionally named Northern, Middle and Southern. They are attached to each other and look like a uniform building with portals arranged in line. To the north of the mausoleums there is a minaret. These monuments are considered the classics of Karakhanid epoch. There the governors of Karakhanid dynasty are buried. The earliest monument is the Average mausoleum. It is slightly taller than the others. It is the only mausoleum of the time of Karakhanids with two portals; its ornament is made of burnt bricks. The Northern mausoleum was constructed in 1152- 1153. It is tiled with beautifully carved ganch and terracotta as well as the relief brick ornament. The portal of the Southern mausoleum constructed in 1187 is covered with carved terracotta. The minaret was constructed in the middle of the 11th century. This slender conic tower is covered by the ornament made from shaped brickwork.
Arslanbob
The vast tracts of woodland with nut and fruit trees in the valley of the River Arslanbob are the largest of their kind in the world, measuring over 600,000 hectares. One of the legends says that Alexander the Great once led his troops to these parts. Up to 1,500 tons of walnut is harvested each year in the Arslanbob valley, besides 5,000 tons of apples, pistachio and cherry plum. People are grateful for these generous gifts of nature and seek to preserve their source. Already for many years the Arslanbob area (which means the "King of Forests" in Kyrgyz), has been a forest zone protected by the state. 5
Ah-Fazil Mausoleum
The mausoleum belongs to the complex of cult structures of Karakanid epoch 11th century. The complex consists of the holy Mount Archa-Mazar with Alamberdar mausoleum (19th century) as well as the cave of the saint eremite, the place of execution of 2,700 soldiers of Islam, 18th -19th - century mosque, vertically positioned stone, Shah-Fazil mausoleum (11th century), Safed- Bulon mausoleum dated the 19th century. Shah-Fazil mausoleum is the most valuable. There are no similar monuments in Central Asia. Its square structure looks like a massive truncated pyramid with original stepped drum and tall dome resting on it. The interior of the mausoleum from floor to ceiling is covered with fine ganch carving. The complex erection is connected with the legend about the coming of Arabs headed by Shah-Dzharir - grandson of the Prophet Muhammad - for the purpose of Islam propagation. The infidels attacked Moslems during the praying and cut off their heads. The black-skinned bride of Shah-Dzharir, Safed-Bulon, was the heroine who buried all of them. The Allah blessed her and she turned into white-skinned. Safed- Bulon means the White Woman. The cause of Shah- Dzharir was continued by his son, Shah- Fazil. He punished the infidels and went on spreading the religion in those lands. The entire complex is a Muslim relic, the place of worship of many pilgrims.
Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain
Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain Kyrgyzstan dominates the Fergana Valley and forms the backdrop to the city of Osh, at the crossroads of important routes on the Central Asian Silk Roads. For more than one and a half millennia, Sulaiman was a beacon for travelers revered as a sacred mountain. Its five peaks and slopes contain numerous ancient places of worship and caves with petroglyphs as well as two largely reconstructed 16th century mosques. One hundred and one sites with petroglyphs representing humans and animals as well as geometrical forms have been indexed in the property so far. There are 17 places of worship, which are still in use, and many that are not. Dispersed around the mountain peaks they are connected by footpaths. The cult sites are believed to provide cures for barrenness, headaches, and back pain and give the blessing of longevity. Veneration for the mountain blends pre-Islamic and Islamic beliefs. The site is believed to represent the most complete example of a sacred mountain anywhere in Central Asia, worshipped over several millennia. In 2009, Sulaiman-Too was inscribed in UNSCO World Heritage List.
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2) Best time to visit Kyrgyzstan: The country's climate varies byregion. The climate is subtropical in the Ferghana Valley and temperate in the northern foothill zone. The lower mountain slopes have a dry continental climate, as they receive hot desert winds from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, whereas the highest mountain elevations have a polar climate. In the valleys, the average daily temperature in July is 28° C (82° F). In January daily averages are as low as -14° C (7° F). Conditions are much colder at high elevations, where in July the average daily temperature is 5° C (41° F) and in January, -28° C (- 18° F). Precipitation is between 100 and 500 mm (4 and 20 in) in the valleys and from 180 to 1,000 mm (7 to 40 in) in the mountains. Siberian winds bring freezing temperatures and snow from November to February, with ferocious cold in the mountains. The average winter minimum is – 24ºC. Throughout the country, springtime buds appear in April and May, though nights can still be below freezing. Mid-May to mid-June is pleasant, though many mountain passes will still experience snow. From the end of June through the mid-August, most afternoons will reach 32ºC or higher, with a maximum of 40ºC in Fergana Valley towns such as Jalal-Abad; mountain valleys are considerably cooler. Like most of the region, Bishkek gets most of its rainfall in spring and early summer. Of course in the mountains, the ‘warm’ season is shorter. The best time to visit is July to September, although camping and trekking are pleasant from early June through mid-October. Avalanche danger is greatest during March and April and from September to mid-October. Overall, the republic is best for scenery and weather in September, with occasional freezing nights in October.
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