Asia
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is yurt smoke, mountain passes, and tea poured for strangers like family.
Map
Places
- Barskoon
On the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, at the Barskoon gorge mouth, sits Barskoon town. With the Ak-Orgo yurt workshop showing how to make fel…
BishkekBishkek at the foot of the Tian Shan, Soviet boulevards, politics never far from the surface, the Manas epic and national myth, and squares…
CholokFertile valleys and fast water in Kyrgyzstan away from the high passes, and the Chu River canyon observation pull-off where the scale of ri…
Chong-KeminOut from Bishkek through the steppe and Burana Tower into the Chong-Kemin Valley, narrower roads, guesthouse calm, wildflower hills, and St…
Jety-ÖgüzGorge village south of Karakol, Broken Heart and Seven Bulls red sandstone, bleak legends, sanatorium mineral water, eagle-photo ethics at …
Kaji-SaySouth shore of Issyk-Kul where red-rock hills meet the lake, Aalam Ordo, Sayakbai Karalaev and 2010-revolution mural, and Panorama Shatyly …
KarakolEastern Issyk-Kul’s main city since 1869, Orthodox and Dungan heritage, Holy Trinity church, pagoda mosque, Przhevalsky memorial, Karakol f…
Kegen Border CrossingKyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan crossing in a Black Crane valley, cranes near the village, power cuts and passport checks, a side road toward 7,010 m…
KochkorA town between Tamga and Song Köl, a road stop at Globus Mall and Desert café, rain on the way out, and the region known for traditional Go…
Orto TokoyChüy Valley reservoir on the road south towards Song Köl, seasonal water levels, roadside cemeteries, and the day rain, hail, and a flooded…
TamgaTamga on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, Soviet sanatorium, cosmonauts and athletes, mosaics of Manas and the seasons, and a small mu…
TokmokChüy Valley east of Bishkek, Burana Tower and Balasagun, balbals on the steppe, a small site museum, and Dungan lunch: northwestern Chinese…
TongTong on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, yurt guesthouse at Ethno Village Almaluu, floor-seating lunch, and Tong Beach: ~18°C water, waterm…
TosorSouth-shore Issyk-Kul village at the gateway to Skazka Canyon, red and ochre sandstone fairytale formations, light-shifting ridges, and a s…
TyupEastern Issyk-Kul where the lake narrows toward Kazakhstan, border peaks on a clear day, worth a stop and a photograph.