Kyrgyzstan is a country in Central Asia that is bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. It is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world and a rich cultural history that bridges east and west over a span of hundreds of years. Nestled between some of the most remote countries of Central Asia, few Westerners have heard of Kyrgyzstan and fewer still know about its stunning vistas.
Kyrgyzstan is home to Asian steppes, bitter cold mountain rivers, high lakes, and soaring peaks. The Tian Shan mountains divide Kyrgyzstan from neighbouring China and have peaks that pierce the clouds at over 20,000 feet. It is home to Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world following only Lake Titicaca in South America. The country has low lying, arid regions that can bake at over 100F in the summer and polar regions that are constantly locked in bitter cold and snow at high elevations.
It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it deserves more recognition.
Kyrgyzstan Fast facts
Kyrgyzstan was ceded from China to Russia in the 19th century and then became a Soviet state after the founding of the USSR. The country gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union along with many of its neighbour’s.
- Population: 6.5 million
- Capital: Bishkek
- Languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
- Area: 77,199 sq mi
- Currency: Kyrgyzstan som
Kyrgyzstan is an independent nation with a plethora of different ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. This ethnic diversity includes Chinese, Russians, Kyrgyz, Ukrainians, and Uzbeks. There are metropolitan city dwellers, international traders and nomadic steppe peoples all living in one place.
Due to the remoteness of its location and its detachment from the USSR, many people in the West have forgotten about Kyrgyzstan and its natural wonders.
Here is a list of some of the most breathtaking places in Kyrgyzstan and photos that try to do its beauty justice.
Tian Shan Mountains
Tian Shan means heavenly mountains and was named for their tall peaks, numerous clouds, and glaciers. These mountains separate Kyrgyzstan from China and used to be an integral part of the ancient Silk Road system. Its vistas are truly amazing.
Song Kol Lake
Song Kol Lake stands at an elevation of 9895 feet above sea level and is the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan.
Issyk-Kul
Issyk-Kul is a mountain lake and the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world after the famous Lake Titicaca. It stands at an elevation of over 5,000 feet. Issyk-Kul is a saline lake that is only second in size to the Caspian Sea.
Kyrgyzstan Steppes, Hills, Mountains and Cities
Many of Kyrgyzstan’s villages and major cities lie at the foothills of truly spectacular mountains. Rivers flow out of the tall peaks and through lush grasslands that supported bands of nomadic peoples for hundreds of years. There are ancient Silk Road outposts, mosques, orthodox churches, and yurts.
Note: All photographs in this article were obtained via open source photography archives and have been unaltered. They are all being fairly used under open source, Creative Commons and Fair Use licenses.
If you are an adventure seeker, world traveller or nature lover, you should consider adding Kyrgyzstan to your list of potential travel destinations. It is a bucket list destination that should not be ignored.
