The 16 Best Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan evokes the spirit of the Silk Road as you follow ancient caravan routes on horseback over high mountain passes, visit sacred sites that have attracted pilgrims for thousands of years, or rest on the shores of an alpine lake that stretches almost to the horizon. Turn your Central Asian dream into reality – cultural, culinary, or classic mountaineering – with these top experiences in Kyrgyzstan.
1. Lake Son-Köl: A postcard image of Kyrgyzstan
On a high plateau just over 3,000 meters above sea level, Lake Son-Köl presents a postcard image of how first-time visitors imagine Kyrgyzstan. A ring of Tian Shan peaks surrounds the 28 km-long lake, which is an important stopover for geese, gulls, and cranes. In summer, herders graze horses, sheep, and cows on some of the country’s most coveted pastures. Many community-based tourism organizations open their yurts to travelers, providing perfect overnight stays to enjoy an unforgettable starry sky after nightfall.
Planning tip: Son-Köl is accessible by car, on horseback, or via hiking routes. The best trips combine riding or hiking with a car transfer back.
2. Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve: Glacial lake beauty
A winding gravel road leads around a series of six glacial lakes in the Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve, a hilly landscape that reveals a picturesque panoramic view at the final bend. The site is a favorite among locals from Jalalabad but is visited by relatively few foreign tourists. Take a dip in the icy water – even in the height of summer – or embark on an 11 km hike along the smaller lakes with sweeping views back toward the reserve’s namesake.
3. Manas’ epic legacy
Kyrgyzstan’s 500,000-line epic poem, Manas, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest poem in the world. It is based on tales of a historical Kyrgyz khanate ruler, whose 14th-century tomb stands in Talas Province. At the great warrior’s resting place, you can hear stories of the deeds that founded a nation.
4. Dungan cuisine in Karakol
Central Asia’s Chinese-origin Muslim ethnic group is famous for their strong work ethic and incredible cuisine. In and around the city of Karakol, members of Kyrgyzstan’s largest Dungan community invite guests to family dinners that include a crash course in making the city’s most popular Dungan dish, ashlyanfu. This iconic dish consists of handmade laghman noodles, sliced starch jelly, and a spicy, savory broth of meat and vegetables.
5. Saimaluu Tash: The Valley of Petroglyphs
More than 90,000 small stories are engraved on over 10,000 stones in the Saimaluu Tash Valley. These petroglyphs, dating back to at least the 3rd millennium BCE, depict human history, hunting, war, and worship. The valley is one of Central Asia’s most significant cultural sites.
Planning tip: The site is only accessible for about six weeks a year – typically around August – when the snow melts and reveals the stones.
6. Wine and art in Kuntuu
Soviet-era artifacts blend with modern political and cultural discourse at an abandoned winery in the village of Kuntuu near Bishkek. The Tolon Museum of Modern Art invites visitors to engage with the history and culture of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia through more than 2,000 works and a rotating artist-in-residence program.
7. Plov cooking class in Osh
Plov in Kyrgyz is called ash, in Uzbek osh, and in Osh (the city) it is both. A cooking class in Osh will teach you how to make this Central Asian classic, from shopping at the market to measuring the right amount of sheep fat and cooking the rice to perfection.
8. Horseback riding in the Tian Shan Mountains
A Kyrgyz proverb says: "At adamdyn kanaty" ("Horses are man’s wings"). Ride through the Tian Shan Mountains for a taste of Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic lifestyle.
Planning tip: Short trips can be arranged spontaneously in tourist hubs such as Kochkor and Karakol, while longer trips require advance planning.
