Introducing Karakol
Karakol is a peaceful, low-rise town with backstreets full of Russian gingerbread cottages, shaded by rows of huge white poplars. Around the town are apple orchards, for which the area is famous. This is the administrative centre of Issyk-Köl province, and the best base for exploring the lakeshore, the Terskey Alatau and the central Tian Shan. It also has a very good Sunday market. In fact, try to time your visit to include a Sunday, when the animal bazaar and Russian Cathedral are at their most active.
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It’s not quite paradise for those who live here – the economic stresses since independence and the decline in spa tourism have led to considerable hardship, thinned out available goods and services, and returned a kind of frontier atmosphere to this old boundary post.
The town name means something like ‘black hand/wrist’, possibly a reference to the hands of immigrant Russian peasants, black from the valley’s rich soil.
Last updated: Sep 26, 2008
Thorn Tree forum discussion
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Karakol (KGZ) / Kegen (KZ) boarder crossing?
by Mikeylikesbikes 10 September 2011
Howdy Folks, I plan to cross from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan at the Kegen/Karakol boarder crossing in about two weeks. Has anyone crossed…
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RE: How's my itinerary? KASHGAR-TASHKURGAN
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Hello, you dont have to worry about the safety or accessibility.we can arrange tour to khonjerab pass,i went there few monthes ago,personal…
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RE: KKH video
by chitralguyimran 21 August 2011
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