Wild Kyrgyzstan beckons to adventure-seeking travellers. The Tian Shan mountains dominate the landscape, stretching from the edges of Bishkek to the far south, where they once guided Silk Road traders. Soviet relics sit alongside centuries-old caravanserais (roadside inns), while alpine lakes like Issyk-Köl and Song-Köl reflect a way of life that remains in place after generations. Whether you come for the hikes, the history, or the endless open spaces, this Central Asian country offers travel that feels unfiltered and real. Here’s a rundown of the best places to visit in Kyrgyzstan.
Bishkek
Sitting pretty in the shadow of the snow-draped Tian Shan mountains, Bishkek is a mash-up of brutalist Soviet blocks, leafy parks, and a buzzing, no-frills café and bar scene. At its heart, Ala-Too Square is all about military pomp — soldiers march in for the guard change, a giant national flag flutters overhead, and Manas (Kyrgyzstan’s legendary warrior from an epic that’s longer than the Iliad and Odyssey combined) looms over it all. For a crash course in the country’s past, drop by the State History Museum, which traces Kyrgyz history from its nomadic roots to the Soviet era, with exhibits on culture, traditions, and politics.
The city’s cultural side shows up at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, which still puts on performances. But the real action is at the Osh Bazaar, with heaps of spices, fresh bread, dried fruits, and Soviet-era oddities. Hopheads should visit Brewster Craft Beer and PIVO because Bishkek has a solid craft beer scene. If you want to do as the locals do, head to a banya (bathhouse) and sweat it out.
Detour: Less than an hour from Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park is a hiker’s playground, with alpine trails ranging from gentle walks to steep climbs that lead to waterfalls, glaciers, and dramatic peaks.
Experience it for yourself on: The Five Stans of the Silk Road
Issyk-Köl
Easily accessible from Bishkek, Issyk-Köl is a vast, stunning lake in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan, surrounded by the epic Tian Shan mountains. Along the way, stop by the Burana Tower near Tokmok, an 11th-century minaret offering great views of the surrounding area. The northern shore of Issyk-Köl is alive with activity: parties, crowds, and resorts. If you need a peaceful retreat, the southern shore is the antidote. Base yourself in Bokonbayevo, where you can dive into multi-day treks or saddle up for horse-riding adventures in the Terskey Alatau Mountains. This side of the lake has been the hub of Kyrgyz eagle sports for years, so time your visit to catch the annual Birds of Prey Festival.
Not far away, Skazka Canyon (aka Fairytale Canyon) is straight up surreal. The rocks, shaped by centuries of wind, water, and ice, look like castles, dragons, and whatever else you can dream up. Go at sunset when the rocks light up in fiery reds and golds, but make sure you have solid shoes — it’s slippery. For something real and local, stay in a yurt by the lake. The biggest concentration is near Tong, where you will sleep under a sky so clear it feels otherworldly.
Detour: For an adventure, head to Barskoon Gorge. It’s perfect for hiking, with a series of waterfalls to explore. Don’t miss the quirky Soviet-era monument to cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
Experience it for yourself on: Multi-Stan Adventure - Bishkek to Tashkent
Karakol
Karakol is the ultimate basecamp for hikers, but don’t rush to the mountains just yet. The city itself has its own sights to see, such as the all-wood Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque, a pagoda-style masterpiece built without nails by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th century. That same mix of Russian, Dungan, Uyghur, and Kyrgyz cultures makes the food scene just as interesting. Visit Ashlan-Fu Alley within Bugu Bazaar to try ashlan-fu, a cold and spicy noodle soup that’s equal parts refreshing and explosive.
Ready to burn it off? Take on the challenging 3,886m (12,750 ft) Ala-Köl Pass for jaw-dropping views of the eponymous lake and the towering mountains around it. Reward yourself with a soak in the Altyn Arashan hot springs afterward. Prefer something less brutal? The Ak-Suu Arboretum offers an easier stroll. Beyond Ala-Köl, the Ak-Suu Transverse trek connects valleys from Jeti-Oguz (famous for its beautiful red rock formations) to Boz Uchuk, winding through mirror-like alpine lakes and rugged high passes — one of Kyrgyzstan’s most epic multi-day hikes. In winter, Karakol ski base steals the show as the best spot to hit the slopes in the country, if not all of Central Asia.
Detour: If Karakol feels too mainstream, head to the eco-resort mountain village of Jyrgalan, perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and skiing. The Eki-Chat Valley hike is a must, with rolling green hills and wildflowers straight out of a fairy tale.
Experience it for yourself on: The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road
Song-Köl
Want to go truly off-grid? Song-Köl, a high-altitude lake at 3,016m (9,895 ft) surrounded by rolling green hills, is as remote as it gets. From June to mid-October, nomadic yurt camps dot the shores, offering warm beds, home-cooked feasts, and a front-row seat to shepherd life — think galloping horses, herds of sheep, and the occasional yak. If you’re feeling bold, take a dip — the lake stays ice-cold, even in peak summer. As night falls, witness a sky ablaze with stars, with the Milky Way stretching clear across the horizon.
Top tip: Don’t forget warm layers — nights get brutally cold.
Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Osh
Osh isn’t just old — it’s ancient, with more than 3,000 years of history packed into its streets and bazaars. This Silk Road city is a heady mix of Soviet leftovers, Uzbek-style wooden houses, and Kyrgyz traditions, all shadowed by the Sulaiman-Too, a UNESCO-listed sacred mountain. Hike up its five peaks for Bronze Age petroglyphs, centuries-old mosques, a sacred shrine, and a sunset that’s hard to beat. Down below, the Jayma Bazaar, one of Central Asia's liveliest and largest markets, is a sensory overload of spices, street food such as kuurdak (fried meat with onions), and Soviet relics. Don't leave without trying plov, a meaty, spice-laden Uzbek rice pilaf. Need a break? Grab a seat at a chaikhana (teahouse) and watch the city do its thing.
Detour: Drive an hour to Uzgen, a town with 11th-century mausoleums and a striking ancient minaret.
Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve
Located in western Kyrgyzstan, the UNESCO-designated Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve is where nature shows off. Forget the typical tourist traps: this place is all about sprawling forests, towering mountains, and seven alpine lakes, with the massive Sary-Chelek Lake leading the pack. The reserve is home to wildlife such as bears, lynx, and several plant species. Hiking trails lead to all the lakes, but if you're not in the mood for a trek, kick back by the main lake, have a picnic, or take a boat ride. You can even hop on a horse and take a short ride through the area.
Tash Rabat
Tucked in the At-Bashi Mountains, Tash Rabat is a stone fortress that once sheltered Silk Road traders. Today, it is an isolated but spectacular site with a handful of yurt stays nearby. But the real adventure lies beyond. Hike the surrounding hills for epic views or follow the trails to Chatyr-Kul, a vast alpine lake at 3,530m (11,581 ft), near the Chinese border (permits required).
Detour: At more than 3,500m (11,483 ft), Köl-Suu is an adventure in itself — reachable only by a mix of 4x4, horseback, or a tough hike. But the payoff? A surreal, emerald-green lake cradled by towering cliffs. Stay overnight in a yurt for serious bragging rights.
Alay Valley
The Alay Valley is where Kyrgyzstan’s landscapes go full throttle. This vast, high-altitude basin is wedged between the Alay and Trans-Alay ranges, with the mighty 7,134m (23,406 ft) Lenin Peak dominating the skyline. Scattered yurt camps near Sary Mogul village and around 3,500m-high (11,483 ft) Tulpar-Köl Lake offer a glimpse into Kyrgyz nomadic life, while the valley itself is a dream for trekkers. The Heights of Alay trek, a five-day circuit, winds through alpine meadows and crosses passes higher than 4,000m (13,123 ft) with sweeping Lenin Peak views. If you are chasing altitude, 4,306m (14,127 ft) Sary Mogol Pass serves breathtaking panoramas of the Alay and Pamir landscapes. Reaching this remote wilderness is a bumpy ride from Osh, but once you arrive, the hardest part is convincing yourself to leave.
Arslanbob
Arslanbob isn’t your typical Kyrgyzstan mountain escape: no high-altitude lakes or extreme treks, just 110 sq km (43 sq mi) of ancient walnut forest, the biggest in the world. Come autumn (late September into early October), the place transforms into a nut-picking frenzy as locals move into the woods for the annual harvest, a centuries-old tradition. Legend has it that Alexander the Great was so impressed by the walnuts that he had some sent back to Greece, introducing the tree to Europe. Beyond the forest, you’ll find two waterfalls and hiking trails weaving through the forest and leading to panoramic viewpoints and hidden picnic spots, but the real highlight is meeting people — hospitable to a fault, always ready with tea, stories, and probably a handful of walnuts.
