Central Asia's adventure capital — the Tian Shan mountains cover 80% of the country, nomadic families welcome guests into their yurts on the shores of Issyk-Kul, and horse games keep ancient traditions alive.
- Capital
- Bishkek
- Population
- 7,281,800
- Area
- 198,500 km²
- Languages
- Kyrgyz, Russian
- Currency
- Kyrgyzstan Som (KGS)
- GDP
- $19,849M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Beshbarmak, Laghman, Kuurdak
Annual visitors
8,508,000 (2019)
Safety
Low (1.75/100k)
Avg temp
2.6°C
Religion
Islam
Coast
Landlocked
☎ Police 103 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 103
Travel guide
Kyrgyzstan (in Kyrgyz and Russian: Кыргызстан), is a Central Asian country. Due to its mountainous terrain, it is often called as the "Switzerland" of Central Asia. The country offers breathtaking landscapes, including the Tien Shan Mountains, crystal-clear lakes such as Issyk-Kul and Song Kol, and beautiful valleys like the Ala-Archa National Park. These areas provide excellent hiking, trekking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities. You can experience the hospitality of Kyrgyz nomads by staying in yurts, sample Kyrgyz cuisine, featuring hearty dishes like beshbarmak and manti, and sip on fragrant tea while listening to traditional music and folklore. The country celebrates cultural events and festivals throughout the year which showcase the country's traditions, arts, and sports.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Kyrgyzstan
Best time to visit
June–September is the best period for trekking, horse treks, and yurt stays. Issyk-Kul lake is warmest July–August. Son Kul lake best July–August. Winter (December–February) has excellent skiing at Karakol.
Visa
Citizens of most Western countries including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia receive 30–60 days visa-free in Kyrgyzstan.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (4)
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