Many travel agencies in Russia undeservedly ignore such a destination as Kyrgyzstan. But in vain! This Asian country, the birthplace of Genghis Khan, is not inferior to others in the abundance of historical and natural attractions. On its territory are the Tien Shan (in translation - "heavenly mountains"). The ranges of the Pamirs also stretched across Kyrgyzstan. Issyk-Kul is located here - a high- altitude lake with the purest water. Hot sulfuric springs flow here, which return a second youth, give he alth. The Asian flavor is not diluted here by depersonalizing globalization. Felt carpets, yurts, horse races, plov and koumiss are all features of everyday life. Rest in Kyrgyzstan can be mountainous, beach, wellness. And it will always be exciting and comfortable. In this Asian country, there are many decent hotels with a European level of service. But in this article we will consider only the capital of the state - the city of Bishkek.
History
This blessed land was developed by people a long time ago. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of dwellings that date back to the 5th millennium BC. But the settlement on the site of modern Bishkek arose in the 7th century after the birth of Christ. It appeared at the crossroadsthe Great Silk Road and the road leading from the central Tien Shan. However, the name of the settlement was not Bishkek, but Jul, and Kyrgyzstan was not yet on the world map at that time. By the 16th century, the Great Silk Road had lost its significance. The cities standing there began to vegetate, the inhabitants began to leave them. This fate befell Jules. The whole area between the rivers Alamedin and Ala-Archi has turned into a pasture.
In 1825 Kokand Khan Madali founded the Pishpek fortress here. In 1860, the Russians began to lay siege to the stronghold, and two years later they destroyed it to the ground. However, barracks for the garrison were built in its place, and people continued to settle under the protection of the citadel. The settlement received city status in 1878. In 1926, Pishpek was renamed Frunze, in honor of the Soviet commander and native of the city. But with independence in 1991, the old, at least slightly changed name was returned to the city.
Where is Bishkek on the map of Kyrgyzstan
The city of Frunze did not immediately become the capital. He acquired this status only in 1936. And before that, it was the administrative center of the Kyrgyz Autonomous Region. Why is the name of the city - Bishkek? The capital of Kyrgyzstan, according to one version, is named after the legendary hero who lived in this area in the 18th century. Bishkek-Batyr gained fame as the Kirghiz Robin Hood. And the word "bishkek" itself is translated as "a club for whipping koumiss." Now it is almost a million people - in 2014 its population was 901 thousand inhabitants. The city is located in the north of the country, only twenty-five kilometers fromKazakh border. Even in summer there is no heat here. After all, the city is located in the foothills of the Tien Shan at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. Forty kilometers to the south lies the majestic Kyrgyz Range.
How to get there
There are daily regular flights from Moscow to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). From Domodedovo, the planes of the airline "Kyrgyzstan" take off, and from Sheremetyevo-F - "Aeroflot". In addition, you can fly to Bishkek from Novosibirsk aboard the S7. The international airport of the capital of Kyrgyzstan is called Manas. It is located twenty-three kilometers from the city. The most convenient way to get from the airport is by taxi - this type of transport is relatively inexpensive. Bishkek is also a developed railway junction. You can get here by train from Kazakhstan. This is a convenient transit point to get to other cities of the country: Kar, Osh, Balykchi, Naryn or Karakol.
Public transport
Small minibuses for 10-12 seats run around the city. It is enough to wave your hand in front of an approaching car, hand over the money to the driver and name your drop-off point. You can rent a car, including with a driver. Even more budgetary transport - trolleybuses and buses. But they stop running at nine in the evening. It is important to know that after independence, the street map of Bishkek is very outdated. You need to know the new name of your destination. But the people in Bishkek are responsive, and if you get lost, do not hesitate to ask passers-by for directions. With characteristic orientalpeople with hospitality will not only tell you the right path, but will also lead you to the right place. Although it is difficult to get lost in the city - the streets are laid in a checkerboard pattern for better ventilation and ditches.
Climate
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, besides it is located far from the big seas, so the climate here is continental. The off-season is short. You can admire the spring, the flowering of mountain poppies and tulips for just a couple of weeks. Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is located in the foothills, protected from the northern cold winds. It is not too cold here in winter. Even in January, the coldest month of the year, it averages +2°C during the day. The mountain sun and cloudless weather make the city a real climatic resort. But with the onset of twilight, the air begins to cool rapidly. Even in summer, in a couple of hours, the thermometer can drop from +31 to +14°C. Therefore, when going out in the evening, do not forget to take warm clothes with you.
Map of Bishkek city
Back in 1938, three administrative districts were established in the capital of the Kirghiz SSR: Sverdlovsky, Pervomaisky and Proletarsky. In 1962, the latter was renamed Leninsky. Twelve years later, the capital acquired a fourth territorial unit - the Oktyabrsky urban district. After the declaration of independence of Kyrgyzstan, the system of governance changed radically. Now the mayor is the head of the city. His power balances the kenesh. This local government can be compared with our cityadvice. Kenesh and the mayor appoint akims - these are the heads of districts. They form and head the executive authorities - akimats. Currently, the number of administrative units of the city has not increased. There are still four of them. But the districts of Bishkek have grown very much. So, Leninsky includes the urban-type settlements of Chon-Aryk, Orto-Sai and Manas.
Attractions
Whatever the purpose of your stay in the country: trekking in the mountains, rafting, horse riding, recovery in mud baths or mineral water resorts, stay for a couple of days in the city of Bishkek. The capital of Kyrgyzstan is an attraction in itself. You can just wander through the avenues and squares of the city to see this. You will surely be surprised by the European appearance of Bishkek. The fact is that the plan of the city, with a chess-and-nesting arrangement of streets, was invented by the Russian military command, and the Czechoslovak artel "Intergelpo" was actively engaged in building in the 20s of the last century. Therefore, many buildings were built in the Art Nouveau style popular at that time. Over the past two decades, the city has been adorned with new monuments. On the central square of Ala-Too, Lenin was replaced by the original Statue of Liberty. You need to see the Opera House, the Parliament building, the Manas sculptural group and visit the changing of the guard of honor at the State Flagpole.
Museums and parks
Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is not only the largest city in the country. It is also the main cultural center. There are many museums, theaters, and an art gallery. Recommended to visitHistorical Museum. Its exposition contains the richest collection of artifacts of the Bronze Age, ancient coins that were in circulation on the territory of the Silk Road, household items and jewelry of the nomadic tribes of the Kyrgyz. Runic inscriptions from Talas and rock carvings from the Saimaluu-Tash camp deserve special attention. The Museum of Fine Arts, in addition to paintings by Kyrgyz, Russian and Uzbek masters, contains an interesting ethnographic collection in its collection. Here you can see a complete reconstruction of a traditional yurt with interior decoration, shyrdak carpets, national clothes and shoes, richly decorated horse harness. And those who are nostalgic for a bygone era will find a lot of interesting things for themselves in the Museum of the city of Frunze. The residents themselves call Bishkek the Green City. Even in the greatest heat, you can hide in the dense shade of Young Guard Boulevard and Erkindik Avenue lined with silvery poplars and century-old oaks. You can see rare plants in the Botanical Garden, relax among the cool alleys of Oak Park, Panfilov Park, Chingiz Aitmatov or Kemal Ataturk.
Shopping
The largest store in the city - TSUM - is located on Chui Avenue. However, the shopping process should not be limited only to them. Cute boutiques and art galleries are scattered throughout the city, where you can buy beautiful souvenirs at affordable prices. However, most of the points of interest to the shop-lover tourist are focused in the center, in the square of Chui, Manas avenues and Bokonbaev street. Antique shops, jewelry workshops, fashion boutiques,shops with traditional embroidery and ceramics alternate with each other. Mostly beautiful felt carpets “shyrdaks”, the national headdress “kalpak”, trousers, robes “ichken”, jewelry, leather products are brought from Kyrgyzstan. Markets should not be ignored. The bazaars of Osh, Dordoi and Ak-Emir are very colorful. Even if you do not buy anything, going there can be considered a full-fledged excursion to the world of the East.
What to try
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is characterized by the fact that in the local restaurants and teahouses you can taste dishes from all regions of the country. Get ready for the fact that you have to drink a considerable amount of tea - this drink begins and ends the meal. It is served with dried fruits or pastries without fail. Pork is not eaten in a Muslim country, but lamb, poultry, beef and horse meat are eaten in abundance. Be sure to try the most important Kyrgyz dish - beshbarmak - special large noodles with young lamb meat. The name of the dish is translated as "5 fingers", because it is eaten with five fingers. Also, the hallmark of the gastronomy of Kyrgyzstan is horse sausage - chuchuk. Some dishes of national cuisine can shock a Slav. So, sheep's eyes, brain and cheeks are delicacies. Koumiss - fermented mare's milk - is a traditional drink of nomads. Shoro is also sold everywhere. This drink resembles kvass, but is made from unripe wheat grains. The Kyrgyz borrowed many dishes from neighboring Uzbekistan, giving them their own flavor and sound. So, you need to try the local shurpa and Oshplov.
Neighbourhood
What should a tourist arriving in Bishkek know? Recreation according to the highest standard is provided for you in the hotels Hyatt, Dostuk, Ala-Too, Zhannat, Ak-Keme, Ysyk-Kel and others. In the vicinity of Bishkek, you should visit the "Khan's Graves" (an ancient cemetery), the Chon-Aryk reserve, climb Mount Boz-Peldek. If the purpose of your visit is to improve your he alth, then you need to take a course of body wraps in the mud bath, which is located in the village of Kamyshanovka. And in an hour or a little more drive from the city, mountain gorges against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks await lovers of outdoor activities.
