Karakol Tourist Places to Visit in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Karakol Tourist Places to Visit in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Karakol is a city of Issyk-Kul province of Kyrgyz Republic and fourth largest city of central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.  Karakol is located on the Eastern Banks of the world’s second largest Mountainous Lake of Issy-Kul.  Karakol city is a tourist destination place because of the Lake Issy-Kul, which provides various water sporting activities among the sylvan surroundings.

 

Karakol is around 375 Km to the East of the capital city of Bishkek on the route 363A.  To the East and South of Karakol at a distance of 145 Km is the Chinese country. To the North of Karakol is the CIS country Kazakhstan and to the North West of Karakol is the province of Chuy and to the West the province of Naryn.

 

The best season to visit Karakol is from June to October during the summer time as the summers are mild and warm and winters are very cold and freezing.

 

 

History of Karakol:

 

Karakol was previously known as Przhevalsky when the area was under the Soviet rule till the year 1991, named in the memory of the Russian expeditor Nicholay Przhevalsky who happend to die in Karakol.  Karakol had the strong Russian military presence and the Issy-Kul Lake provided ample site for testing the Russian military’s marine warfare equipments. Karakol was also the home for the Chinese Muslims known as Dungans who fled China in late 19th century to escape Chinese reprisals.

 

 

Food and Culture in Karakol:

 

Food consumed in Karakol is the normal national dish of Beshbarmah and the fermented mare’s milk drink of Kumi. The other food stuffs that are consumed in Karakol are the products of wheat that are grown in the fields and also the dairy products of the animals that are reared in the farm lands.  Major hotels provide both ethnic and international cuisine to its customers. The bread and tea culture or the nan-chai is part of the Kyrgyz Culture other than the Dungan or Chinese cuisines.

 

The ethnic culture of Karakol of Russians and Chinese (Dungans) descendents living along with Kyrgyz people has strong influence in Karakol activities.  There is Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque for the people to pay their obeisance to their respective ditties and people enjoy the folk music during their dinner hours.

 

 

Shopping and Things to do in Karakol:

 

Karakol has large concentration of Chinese and Russian people and the tourists can purchase the ethnic handicraft items as souvenirs and also Chinese goods at competitive rates.

 

When in Karakol tourists can visit various cultural sites of the ancient temples that are very old those are more than 2000 years old and also visit the Cholpon-Ata, a Stone art gallery.  The verdant valley of Jety-Oguz gorge with healing spring where one can swim.

 

Tourist Attractions in and around Karakol:

 

  • Issyk-Kul Lake: Located to the West of Karakol is good picnic spot and one can indulge in various water sports.
  • Jety Oguz gorge: One of the green valleys with red-stone Mountains with medicinal springs.

 

  • Cholpon-Ata: Open air Stone art gallery that dates back 1st

 

  • Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum: Named in the memory of Soviet Explorer.

 

  • Karakol Ski Base: A Skiing area for the Ski enthusiasts.

 

  • Tersky Alatau: Located in the Karakol valley among the verdant greenery is a good trekking point for tourists.

 

Connectivity to Karakol:

 

Karakol is reached by taxis and transport buses from the capital city of Bishkek by route no.A363 which is around 375 Km. and also from Almaty in Kazakhstan, which is around 370 Km on route A351.  Karakol has Airport that handles domestic flight and Manas airport near to the capital city of Bishkek for international flights.

 

Hotel Accommodation in Karakol:

 

Karakol has few quality hotels and also bread and breakfast hotels for the tourists to board in.

 

  • Green Yard Hotel 3*
  • Amir Hotel 3*
  • Elite Guest House 2*
  • Karakol Guest House (B&B) Hotel
  • Intour Hotel (B&B) Hotel
  • Three –Room Apartment (B& B Hotel
  • Kaprice – Karkol Hotel (B&B) Hotel
  • Karakol – Ski Resort

Places to Visit in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Places to Visit in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Balykchy is one of the major towns of Kyrgyz Republic or Kyrgyzstan, located towards North of Kyrgyzstan in Issyk-Kul Province, on the western periphery of Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountainous lake in the world.  Balykchy is located on the main road towards east of Bishkek the Capital of Kyrgyzstan forming a part of the Silk Route that leads to China via the mountainous terrains to China in the East.

 

Balykchy with and area around 40 Sq. Km and is surrounded by China to the East and towards the West of Balykchy is the capital city of Bishkek at distance of 200 Km on the route A365 and towards to it East is the Issyk-Kul Lake and the town of Karakol at distance of 220 Km on route A363. To the North of Balykchy is the city of Almaty in the country of Kazakhstan at a distance of 380 Km by road.  To the south of Balykchy are the town of Kochkor and Kara-Koo at a distance of 60 Km.

 

Balykchy is famous for the Marshalling Yard for the essential supplies to gold mines located around 250 Km from Balykchy, that employs over 3000 workers and gold is mainly exported to US.

 

 

History of Balykchy:

 

Balykchy is one of the major towns on the old Silk Route for the traders from Far East countries traveling to European countries to stop their caravan of animals and people with goods as the lake Issyk-Kul provides the necessary succor for the thirsty throats and replenish their water needs.

 

Balykchy in the late 19th and 20th century was under the soviet control with small agricultural farms, livestock and stud farms and it was basically a fishing village that had taken the name of the lake Issyk-Kul and later changed to Balykchy after the Independence in 1991 from the Soviets.

 

 

Food and Culture in Balykchy:

 

The people of Balykchy adore kumi and beshbarmak the national drink and dish of the Kyrgyzstan.  Since Balykchy is located on the lake Issyk-kul the consumption of various fish dishes is more popular.

 

Balykchy is a fishing village and the culture is ethnic with the large influence of Soviet culture of life style. People mainly make living by selling the fished caught from the Lake Issy-Kul and by rearing the various livestock and horses in their stud farms.  The tourism around Lake Issy-Kul also provides a lively hood for the residents of Balykchy.

 

 

Shopping and Things to do in Balykchy:

 

In Balykchy Shopping is mainly done for the fish products that are variety of fishes which are dried and smoked and sold in the markets and at important tourist congregating places.

 

Balykchy is mainly known for its Lake Issy-Kul, where one can go for diving in the crystal clear waters and do paragliding and angling. For the more adventurers one can visit the Karakol Ski resort at a distance of 200 Km and also do trekking and hiking on the mountain ranges along the old Silk Route which starts from Balykchy.

 

 

Tourist Attractions in and around Balykchy:

 

  • Lake Issy-Kul: The main tourist attraction in Balykchy is its Lake Issy-kul where all out door activities and water sports are conducted.

 

  • Karakol Ski Base: Located around 220 Km from Balykchy is the sky resort of the skiing enthusiasts.

 

 

 

Connectivity to Balykchy:

 

Balykchy is reached from the capital city of Krygyzstan, Bishkek via the road 365A by taxi or the local transport buses. The train journey to Balykchy takes one via the picturesque locations from Bishkek which is around 200 Km and the local buses at the station would reach the tourists to Issy-Kul town and by flight Manas Airport near Bishkek at a distance of 180 Km is the nearest to reach Balykchy.

 

Hotel Accommodation in Balykchy:

 

  • Hotel and Resort Calm Harbor 5*
  • Kapriz Hotel 5*
  • Tagatay Karakol 5*
  • Hotel Amir 4*
  • Green Yard Hotel 4*
  • Karven Issy-Kul 3*
  • Karven Four Seasons 3*
  • Hotel Complex Le Meridien 3*

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Asia

Bishkek is the capital city of the CIS Country Kyrgyzstan or Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia, which was under the Soviet rule till its independence in 1991.  Bishkek is located to the North of Kyrgyzstan in Chuy Province with Tian Shan Mountain ranges looming in the background.  Bishkek is around 800 Mts. above sea level located from Equator at around 43o North Latitude and 74o East Longitude.

 

Bishkek is around 125 Sq. Km and is the largest capital city in Kyrgyzstan and an independent administrative province having 4 Raion or the districts it is also the capital of Chuy Province, out of 8 province of Kyrgyzstan.  Bishkek’s main city centre is the Ala-Too Square. Dordoy Bazaar is the main commercial area in Bishkek

 

The climate in Bishkek is warm summers from June to September and cold winters from October to March with average maximum temperature ranging in summer from 30oC to a minimum of minus 10oC in winter. The main river of Bishkek is the Chui River.

 

 

History of Bishkek:

 

Bishkek was part of the Silk Route in the olden days as stop over for the traders from Eastern countries visiting European countries that came into existence in 1825 with building of mud fort by Uzbek Khan of Kokhand.  The Kyrgyz-Khokand fortress was extended by the Russians in 1862 and the name was changed into Pishpek and renamed as Frunze in 1926.  With the Independence of Kyrgyzstan in 1991 the city was named back to its original name of Bishkek.

 

Food and Culture in Bishkek:

 

The food consumed in Bishkek is mainly the wheat products and the livestock and dairy products that are grown and reared and produced in the country side of Bishkek.  The Kumi is the famous drink made from mares milk is consumed widely by the people of Bishkek. The national dish of Kyrgyz is the Beshbarmak a dish prepared from the farm animals reared.

 

Bishkek being a part of the Soviet bloc countries before 1991, have the influence of the soviet culture with well laid out roads and avenues and apartment blocs having typical Russian architecture.  Since Bishkek is an ethnic city with the influence of various cultures people follow various religious beliefs.  Bishkek being a city has the influence of typical city culture and which is most enjoyed by the young tourists.

 

 

Shopping and Things to do in Bishkek:

 

Shopping is mainly done in Bishkek for the local relics such as Kalpaks, a type of hat made out of soft leather worn by the locals.  The local traditional carpets known as Shyrdaks are bargained for better prices in Osh Bazaar and there is an open market near the city of Bishkek having variety of goods including the Chinese goods.

 

In Bishkek one can go biking to local tourist places and also take mini and trolleybuses to visit the city square Ala-Too Square and the nearby State Historical Museum and the Panfilov Park for recreational outings and shopping at Dordoy Bazaar and Osh Bazaar.

 

 

Tourist Attractions in and around Bishkek:

 

  • Tian Shan Mountain Ranges: Which is just around 35 Km from Bishkek is the best area for outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking and rafting in the rivers organized by the trekking club.

 

  • Ala-Archa Canyon: A National Park with beautiful valleys, glaciers, Corona and Uchitel peak and also the mid-century Stone houses which are mainly for campers and peak climbers and trekkers and hikers.

 

  • Burana Tower: Is located in one of the nearby towns of Bishkek, where one can climb the tower and view the beautiful country side.

 

 

Connectivity to Bishkek:

 

Bishkek being a capital city is well connected to nearby cities of neighboring countries by Highway roads with services of buses and taxies from Almaty, Shymkent and Tashkent and also one can reach Bishkek via Torugar Pass from Chinese side, which takes around 4 to 5 hrs.  By Train Bishkek is connected to the Trans-Siberian railway network from Moscow that passes via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and the journey of three days.  By flight the Manas Airport which is around 30 Km from Bishkek is reached by local flights form CIS countries and also few International flights form London and Moscow.

 

 

Hotel Accommodation in Bishkek:

 

  • Hyatt Regency 5*
  • Park Hotel 5*
  • Hotel Deluxe 5
  • Hotel Holiday 4*
  • Hotel Amir 4*
  • Tes Guest House 4*
  • Golden Dragon Hotel 3*
  • The Silk Road Lodge 3*

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Male, Maldives, Asia

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Male, Maldives, Asia

Male is a city and capital of Maldives surrounded by other three islands and the commercial harbor is located in the main island and Male city is divided into 6 divisions, out of six four are situated in Male Island and other two situated close to Male Island covering an area of 579.8 sq Kms. There are various small industries located in Male Island and economy of Maldives depends on tourism. Government buildings and other commercial buildings are situated on the waterfront. Zip code of Male is 20211 and coordinates are 4.1667° N, 73.5000° E.

 

History of Male:

Male island dint had kings for several years and the first inhabitant to this island was the Dravidian people, they arrived from the neighboring islands and were fishermen by profession and use to visit this island to clean tuna fish gradually population developed in this island and the first prince to visit this island was Koimala. The prince Koimala planted the first tree in this island (Papaya tree) and ruled this island for several years. Later it was discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

 

Tourism in Male:

Male is one of the tourism hubs in Maldives and major building and shops are located in the main streets and there is no beach in Male Island and it is bounded by Seawalls and greenery and very pleasant to visit. There are number of shops and malls in the city from where tourists can buy all the products and Male serves the continental food with traditional taste.

 

Places to visit in Male:

The Islamic Centre:

This centre was completed in the year 1984 and it is the major attraction, as it has majestic golden dome which is visible from all the sides of capital city and majestic and attractive architecture is the main attraction.

 

Huskuru Miskiiy:

This is one of the oldest and main mosques in Male city and this mosque was constructed by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in 17th century. There are writings on the wall in Arabic language and mosque is located in the centre of the cemetery.

 

Mulee- Aage:

This palace was constructed in the year 1906 by Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III and this palace is situated in front of Huskuru Miskiiy. In the year 1953, this palace became the president’s official residence till the new palace was constructed.

 

Best time to Visit Male:

Male is the famed tourist destination in Maldives but the best time to visit Maldives is between the months of December to May.

 

How to Reach Male?

By Air:

Male is served by Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, popularly known as Male International Airport, the major international airport in Maldives with direct flights to various cities in the globe.

 

By Sea:

Male is served by Male Dock and all the islands in Maldives are connected with dock and it is the major form of transportation in this country and there are number of ferries connecting cities around.

 

Where to Stay Male?

Male is the capital of Maldives and there are plenty of accommodation facilities available in Male island and hotels in male are classified into budget, mid range and luxury hotels and cost from $ 30 to $ 7,000 and above and per night and provide luxury treatments to the guests. Some of the luxury hotels in Male are listed below:

  • Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
  • Naladhu Maldives
  • Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
  • Traders Hotel Male
  • Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
  • Jumeirah Vittaveli
  • Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
  • Adaaran Prestige Vadoo
  • Huvafen Fushi
  • Cocoa Island
  • Taj Exotica Resort and Spa
  • Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
  • Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas
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