Places to Visit in Sulukta, Kyrgyzstan, Asia
Sulukta or Sulyukta is one of the four towns of the Batken province of Kyrgyz Republic located to the South West of Kyrgyzstan a Central Asian country that gained independence in 1991 with 14 other CIS countries from the Soviet Confederation. Sulukta with its 17 Sq. Km of area is located on the western fringes of Batken province, bordering the country of Tajikistan in the West and by the town of Isfana which is around 15 Km to the East. Sulukta is around 900 Km from the capital city of Bishkek. Sulukta was basically a coal mining town during Soviet regime and had rich deposits of various other ores of limestone, quartz sand and gypsum etc. Since the independence in 1991 most of the mining activities have ceased.
Sulukta is around 1300 Meters above mean sea level and has hot and dry summers with temperature rising up-to maximum of 36o during summers from May to September with winters being very cold from October to April with temperature going below 0o from December to February. The precipitation is very low in Sulukta.
History of Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
Sulukta was once a small coal mining town during the Soviet regime from mid 19th century to late 20th century and the mined ores were transported via the rail network to the town of Khokand, now in the country of Tajikistan. These coal mining industries are supposed to be the oldest in Central Asia and after the Kyrgyz independence most of the industries have been shut down.
Food and Culture in Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
Food in Sulukta is the normal Kyrgyz food of Beshbarmah, those dishes relished with five fingers and the fermented mare’s milk of Kumi and fermented grain drink of maksym.
Sulukta has the ethnic population who were once employed in various ore mining industries during Soviet regime such as the Uzbeks, Tadjiks, Russians, Tatars, Turks and Uygurs speaking Russian as the second language in Sulukta.
Shopping and Things to do in Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
Sulukta is not a tourist town and only the local wares are sold in the markets in Sulukta most of the shopping for tourist can be done in the town of Isfana which is around 15 Km from Sulukta.
Sulukta being a border town is surrounded by mountains of Turkestan Range in the West which is the extension of the Tian Shan ranges in the East there are restrictions for the movement of the tourists due to ethnic violence and other disturbances taking place at regular intervals.
Tourist Attractions in and around Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
There are no tourist attraction places in Sulukta as it is a mining town for ores and those local places of tourist interest are available, are in the mountains of the Turkestan Range, extension of the Tian Shan range of mountains with restrictions for tourist’s movement.
Connectivity to Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
Sulukta is reached from the town of Isfana by the Isfana – Khujand road which is around 15 Km by local buses and taxis and Sulukta can be reached from the second largest city of Osh which is around 370 Km to the East via the country of Uzbikestan by route no.A373 and also from the capital city of Bishkek which is around 800 Km via the land route M41.
The railway network connecting the town of Sulukta which is around 50 Km from to the town of Khojand in Tajikistan during Soviet regime has become defunct after the break of Soviet union and the two towns being located in two different countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have stopped the train services. The airport at the town of Isfana serves for domestic flights for those visiting Sulukta by flight and Bishkek airport for the international flights.
Hotel Accommodation in Sulukta in Kyrgyzstan:
The nearest quality hotels with star accommodation is in the city of Osh which is around 370 Km.
- Tes Guest House 4*
- Sunrise Guest House 3*
- Hotel Crystal 3*
- Osh Guest House