Sights

Kara-Suu Gorge forms one of the wild and scenic valleys of the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve. In its upper section, the river is known as the Kyzyl-Suu, which rises at the foot of the impressive Chatkal Range. Here the landscape becomes more rugged, with wide grey cliffs and steep mountain slopes framing the valley.

One of the side valleys of Juku Valley.

Popular for its local hot spring and the cave of the 300 sheep.

The Swiss journalist and traveller Ella Maillart passed by this valley in 1932 during her trip to Central Asia.

The Jukkuchak valley is really well described in her book, Turkestan Solo, you can walk up the valley while reading the book and identify the places she wrote about.

Nowadays, the natural hot springs are famous among locals. Entrance fee is 100 soms.

The Issyk-Kul lake has a length of 182 km, a maximum width of 60 km and covers an area of ​​6,236 km². This makes it the second largest mountain lake in the world behind Lake Titicaca. Located at an altitude of 1,606 m, it reaches 668 m deep. 

About 118 rivers and streams flow into the lake. The largest are the Djyrgalan (Jergalan) and Tyup. It is fed by springs, including many hot springs and snowmelt, and it has no outlet. Its south side is dominated by the Tian Shan mountain range of wild beauty. The lake water is slightly saline and level down about 5 cm per year.

At the heart of the central Tien Shan, the Engilchek Glacier (Kyrgyz: Эңилчек) — also called Enilchek (Энильчек) or Inylchek (Иныльчек) — is the largest glacier in Kyrgyzstan. Its Kyrgyz name means "light," a surprising contrast with this immense river of ice that stretches over 60 km and covers about 657 km². It is located at the foot of mythical peaks like Khan Tengri and Jengish Chokusu, in one of the most isolated regions of the Tien Shan, to the east of the great Issyk-Kul Lake.

Issyk-Kul Central Mosque of Karakol city named after Ibrahim Aji was built by initiative of Ibrahim Aji. He invited the famous Beijing architect Chou Seu and 20 carvers with the skills of traditional Chinese architecture and composition techniques for building the mosque. Construction of the mosque began in 1904 and completed in 1907.

«Rukh Ordo» is a unique open-air museum on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Cholpon-Ata.

The complex includes 10 mini museums: the «Aitmatov’s museum house», the «Kyrgyz art and culture Hall», the picture and photo galleries, «Sayakbay Karalayev's arbor», the «Knowledge Treasure trove» and five chapels, each of them represents one of the world's confessions , namely: Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Buddhism and Judaism, as a symbol of the fact that God is one for all.

The Chunkurchak Gorge is located 45 km south of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. A unique landscape, a mixture of pastures and red sandstone rocks, at the foot of the highest glaciers of the Kyrgyz Alatoo mountain range. It is a recreational place where you can find several mountain hotels, as well as a ski resort.

The gorge Altyn Arashan (with Kyrgyz language "golden source") - one of the most beautiful places of Kyrgyzstan. Its scenic beauty, a gem of the mountains is Ala Kel, and hot springs, known for their beneficial properties, have long conquered the hearts of the people who come to these places. Arashan mountain valley of the river is 10 kilometers east of the town of Kara-Kol.

Nestled in the heart of Kyrgyzstan, a captivating 40 km long valley links the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake to the high plateau of Arabel Suu and the sources of the Naryn Basin. This scenic route, 2160m. of positive drop, is well-maintained year-round by the nearby Kumtor gold mine, ensuring accessibility even in winter.

The Belogorka valley, 35 km long, sinks into the mountain range of Kyrgyz Alatoo. It is located 40km west of Bishkek. This valley is popular for its waterfall which is often visited by locals. It also gives access to mountaineers for the ascent of the Putin peak.