Tourism

The Kyrgyz Republic is extremely attractive to foreign tourists by such tourist assets as mountainous sports, beach leisure, mineral water treatment, mountainous treks, horse-riding and so on.

The Kyrgyz Republic has inherited a well developed tourist infrastructure from the former Soviet Union. Kyrgyz few hotels and sanatoriums were fully renovated to offer its clients world-class deluxe rooms. In addition, there are new five and four-star hotels in Bishkek while a number of smaller private hotels are being rapidly constructed on the shore of the Issyk-Kul Lake to offer world-class services.

Mountainous country
Gorgeous Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges with such world highest peaks as Pobeda Peak (7439m), Khan Tengri Peak (6999m) and Lenin Peak (7134) cross the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. These fantastic mountains are covered with snowfields, glaciers, crossed over by rush rivers, blooming meadows and valleys. Wild valleys of the Tein Shan range, previously inaccessible, are now open for treks, climbing and historic tours.

The Issyk-Kul Lake
The Issyk-Kul Lake is the world second large mountainous lake. This famous mountainous lake is located in the north-eastern part of the country between the Northern Tien Shan ranges at an altitude of 1609m above the sea level. Issyk-Kul is the most popular tourist object in Kyrgyzstan. Annually the lakeside is visited by more than million people. There are scores of hotels offering international level services and relaxation on the shore of the lake.

The City of Osh
One of the most ancient cities of the Central Asia – Osh - is located in the southern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. This city is 3 000 years old . The sacred Suleiman Mountain covered with petroglyphs and ruins of ancient settlements is located in the downtown of Osh. Many thousands years ago Osh was a juncture of the trade communications of the Great Silk Road. The mountain was named Suleiman Mountain after a great Muslim prophet Suleiman-Shah has been buried at the foot of the mountain.

The Muslim population goes on pilgrimage to the Suleiman Mountain even nowadays. There is a platform at the top of the mountain, which allows you enjoying the beautiful view of Osh. There is also a historic museum located in the cave inside the Mountain.

Culture
The residents of the Kyrgyz Republic still wear traditional clothing and jewelry and play national music instruments. You can meet respectful man wearing national felt headgear – ak-kolpak - not only in villages but in Bishkek as well. Traditional horse games are very spectacular, especially the fight for a goat.

Traditional cuisine
Although Kyrgyz national cuisine can boast of its own unique specificity, we have to note that it is very much alike other Central Asian countries’ cuisine. The fact that many Chinese and Korean expatriates live in the country explains why most restaurants and cafes offer Korean and Chinese cuisine. If you visit Kyrgyzstan, you shall try kumys delivered from alpine meadows. Kumys is a fermented mare’s milk, which is especially useful for people suffering from lunge deceases.