Bishkek is an interesting city and the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The city’s name literally means “a tool to make kumis” in the local dialect. This is the economic and cultural heart of the country. Needless to say, Bishkek is a modern city with a rich history and heritage. For Kyrgyz people, Bishkek is a “green land” because of numerous oaks and poplars that grow in it. These old trees please generations of locals with their elegance and strength. This is a city with young energy and cheerful atmosphere, and it gladly shares its limitless energy with all tourists who come here from different parts of the world.
The history of Bishkek started in the 7th century. At that time, the settlement had another name, Julie, which sounded like “Blacksmith’s fortress”. Many centuries later, in 1825, a fortress was built in this area. The fortress got the name “Pishpek”. It was home to one of the largest garrisons in the Chui Valley. The city’s historical records include information about two captures by Russian troops and local tribes of Baitik Baatyr. The fortress couldn’t serve its purpose anymore and ceased to exist in November 1862.
Bishkek is rich in attractions and places of interest. What landmark should tourists see first? Naturally, start with the main attraction, the State History Museum. The eye-catching building is situated on Ala-Too Square, the main square in the city, and not far from the government’s house. In the museum, visitors can learn more about the history of the city during the primitive communal and slavery systems or get themselves familiar with the history of Bishkek during the feudal period. The biggest hall is dedicated to the establishment of the city.
Many tourists, who visit this museum, mention that they liked the jewelry exhibition the most. This display is dedicated to jewelry worn by local fashionistas in the 19th-20th centuries. Besides the exhibitions mentioned above, there is a hall dedicated to the history of the October Revolution and a hall that tells about World War II in the country. The building itself is worth exploring as this is a beautiful construction with a cupola and unusual décor.
The Erkindik Gallery is open in the heart of the capital city. Local people often call it Arbat or City Vernissage. Many painters and craftsmen display their works in this gallery. If you like some work, you can always buy it. This gallery is a great place to shop for unique gifts that will always remind you of the green Bishkek region.
When looking at works of local painters, it is hard to fail to notice how bright and colorful they are. Surprisingly, there are no works that look similar. All of them are individual and reflect the feelings and thoughts of their authors. By the way, tourists can order custom paintings or a portrait of their beloved person. Local painters are so skilled in their work that the result looks just like the original. For beginner painters, it will be very interesting to watch professionals at work and maybe learn something new.
Continue your walk in the sculpture museum that is located in the center of the city. This is an open-air museum open in an unusual place – in an oak park. There is a beautiful fountain in the center. All sculptures in the park are gifts from the most talented sculptors in the country to Bishkek.
While enjoying a leisure stroll in the park, you will see sculptures of different shapes, group and single sculptures. There are roughly one hundred works in total. Some monuments are made from stone and some are made from metal. The atmosphere in the park deserves a separate mention. Old oaks are like some magical giants. They welcome guests and protect them from all the troubles of the outer world. This is a perfect place to relax and enjoy peace and tranquility.
It is easy to travel to Bishkek from Moscow by air. There are regular flights that connect the capitals. A flight will last almost four hours. However, many flights are not direct and have a stop in Novosibirsk. Having arrived in Bishkek, it is better to call a taxi that will take you to the city center because the distance from central Bishkek to the airport is almost thirty kilometers.
Sightseeing in Kyrgyzstan: things to see
If you like nature, don’t forget to visit the gorgeous Tian Shan Mountains. Jengish Chokusu is the highest peak of the mountains. Its height exceeds 7,000 meters. The surrounding regions have strikingly different terrains. There are lifeless deserts and spacious green fields. The mountain region is also famous for its multiple rivers and lakes. In warmer months, there are many excursions to different areas of the mountain region.
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