Osh
Outside the Osh Regional Museum is a giant yurt built in three vertical sections. Although interesting for its mere existence, its colourful interior is…
Must-see attractions in Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek
Worth a quick look for the variety of sculptures (both working models and finished versions) of famous Kyrgyz and fabled legends, though it's a small…
Kyrgyzstan
On the crest of a small hill north of the highway outside of Chaek, this mausoleum is dedicated to local hero Baizak Baatyr, renowned for his success in…
Jumgal Regional History Museum
Kyrgyzstan
One hall dedicated to famous former Jymgal resident Kojomkol, reported to have weighed in at 208kg and more than 2m tall, is interesting for a look at…
Kyrgyzstan
Built in 1924, this stylised clay yurt and the wooden pavilion that protect it commemorate one of Kojomkul's friends, and the large inscribed stone (said…
Osh
Built during the Osh 3000 celebrations, this museum has some imaginative displays like a case of weapons apparently caught up in a mad whirlwind. The…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
This typical, well-presented museum includes copies of locally found Scythian (Saka) gold jewellery and displays on ethnography, Kyrgyz bards, textiles…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
The height and impressive rocky cove, as well as pleasant landscapes en route, make this waterfall a nice walk or horse ride from the village even if it's…
Kyrgyzstan
Though little is known about the history of this mausoleum and accompanying prayer hall, the Arabic inscriptions and stylised architecture lead locals to…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
This curious museum-cum-theme-park depicts Kyrgyz legends, historical characters, and the interplay of five religions in a large and somewhat surreal…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
Kyrgyzstan's largest Ferris wheel, where the sixteen-minute ride gives plenty of time to admire the lake- and mountainscapes surrounding the town of…
Kyrgyzstan
This tiny two-room museum holds a collection of Kojomkul's clothing, tools, and a number of media clippings about him. Hours are more suggestion than fact…
Osh
Tucked behind the regional museum, this ornate mausoleum is fenced off from visitors but worth a peek for intricate carvings on the front facade. A…
Kyrgyzstan
Just off the Naryn–Torugart highway around 10km south of the city (look for the snow leopard statue opposite the turnoff), this small waterfall is a…
Kyrgyzstan
The crystal-clear water in the small cave here is said to be holy based on proximity to the shrine of Kojokel-Ata, an 18th-century holy man buried in the…
Bishkek
The bright blue spires of this Russian Orthodox cathedral, opened in 1947, stand out along Jibek Jolu. The spartan interior, decorated with icons and…
Kyrgyzstan
On a hilltop behind the village school is the final resting place of the legend himself, while at the foot of the hill is a large silver Soviet-era plinth…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
This small but pretty mountain lake is a great day trip up the Ak-Suu Valley. The hike climbs from 1760m off the highway to 3245m at the lake, so don't…
Kyrgyzstan
This little museum has two attractively presented ethnological rooms but is more interesting for the 1960s photos of Naryn in its Soviet heyday...and for…
Kyrgyzstan
This large stone tomb, dedicated to the hero of an 1847 battle against Kazakh invaders, seems distinctly out of place in the north shore's Jamanechki…
Mosque of Mohammed Yusuf Bai Haji Ogli
Osh
Founded in the 16th to 17th centuries, the main prayer hall is around 170 years old. Visit outside of prayer times, and ask the imam before taking a peek…
Bishkek
Having once dominated Ala-Too Square, Vladimir Ilyich turned his back on the mountains in 2003 and now lurks behind the National Historical Museum.
Karakol
This two-storey home with an ornate balcony is one of the most attractive historic structures in town, but sadly isn't open to the public.
Kyrgyzstan
Just off a relatively good road up the Chon-Kegeti Valley, these 20m falls are a popular picnic destination in the warmer months.
Bishkek
The peculiar architecture of the Kyrgyz Circus, in what looks like a 1950s UFO, stands out on the far edge of Victory Square.
Karakol
Attractive historic building just opposite the cathedral, worth a look though they don't welcome tourists wandering in.
Karakol
This historic building still serves as the office of the local Radio and TV company, which is not open to the public.
Kyrgyzstan
Right on the square, this monument is the go-to photo spot for newly-weds in Naryn.
Issyk-Köl Oblast
According to local legend, this large pile of thousands of rocks hearkens back to the Timurid era. As the story goes, en route to an invasion of China the…
Kyrgyzstan
If you're not tired of people watching there's more to be had at the Turbaza, a decrepit yet still active Soviet-era holiday camp replete with punch…
Kyrgyzstan
If you have time to kill you could peruse the small regional museum with its yurt, collection of local Kyrgyz crafts, plus displays on Soviet-era local…
Kyrgyzstan
Gulcha's small Victory Park features a central WWII-era tank on a plinth overlooking the names of native sons who never returned from the war, and a…
Karakol
Local hero Tagay-biy, renown as a great warrior who lead the Kyrgyz to victory during the 16th invasion of Kalmyk tribes, is memorialised in statue form…
Osh
At the northern end of the eponymous park, facing the bazaar, this statue dedicated to poet and writer Alisher Navoi (1441-1501) is a point of pride for…
Kyrgyzstan
In front of the regional government building, this silver-painted Lenin statue catches the eye.
Karakol
Keep an eye out for the small statue of Lenin along Gebze, overlooking the university.
