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Kyrgyzstan
Photo: Michael Karavanov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bishkek and the Northwest occupy the northern and northwest parts of Kyrgyzstan, north of the Ferghana Valley and south of Kazakhstan.
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All that remains of the ancient Silk Road capital of Balasagun, a massive minaret standing alone on the step. It is surrounded by some beautiful countryside. At the same site, there are also a small museum, some petroglyphs, burial mounds and remains of walls. The tower is just outside the close-by town of Tokmok, which can be reached with a frequent minibus departing from the east bus station of Bishkek (50 som). From Tokmok take a taxi or a bus, departing around 09:30, 12:00 and 15:00, to Burana. The buses return to Tokmok around 14:00 and 16:00. Or just hitch-hike.
Суусамыр
Formed by the Suusamyr River, this valley lies to both sides of the Bishek-Osh highway between the Too Ashuu Pass and the junction towards Talas. At 2,000-2,500 m (asl) it is bordered by the Suusamyr Too (to the south) and Kyrgyz Ala-Too (to the north) mountain ranges of the Tian Shan. The valley offers beautiful valley views of the dusk and dawn sun soaked in the warmest colours, numerous yurts for overnighting and dinning, local sheep and horse herds, impressive sights of the snow-capped mountains around the valley, and just a very relaxing and calm atmosphere as soon as you are a few 100 m away from the highway. Since most (western) tourists focus on Issyk Kul and the (south)eastern part of Kyrgyzstan, this place is also very untouristy and much more authentic. You will probably still find the one or other nomad offering horseback riding, but for far less than used to in the more touristy places. Follow the river east, by Suusamyr village, for an even more remote feeling.
The forest in the flood-plains of Suusamyr River, not in the valley itself but downstream the river by Kyzyl-Oy.
A mountain pass in the Talas Alatau mountain range. Many people stop here on their ride to/from Talas for the great view (when the weather permits). Great panorama and a few yurts to have tea and stay overnight.
There are a few interesting graveyards around Suusamyr village.
The local cemetery with varying styles of impressive older graves and newer simple ones. The surrounding of the valley and nearby mosque give a surrealistic picture and feel. (Behave respectful!)
A memorial and old yurt of a former hero called Kojumkul. For the full story and pictures see this article.
An easy ski resort at an altitude of 2,800 m.
Тео-Ашуу
The name literally means "camel pass". It is a great stop and hike between Bishkek and Osh. Instead of going through the tunnel, a hike across the mountain range (3,575 m) will be rewarded with magnificent views. There is a ski resort on the southern slope of the mountain.
Аламедин
A beautiful valley along the Alamedin River with
By bicycle
The road between Bishkek and Osh goes over two passes of about 3,600 m above sea level. At the Too Ashuu (Тео-Ашуу) pass near Bishkek, there is a 2 km long tunnel.
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Bishkek · International · BSZ
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Bishkek (Бишкек), the capital and largest city in Kyrgyzstan, sits at the foothills of the Tien Shan mountain range in the Chui Valley. It is a relatively new city with few historical sites, but it makes a great place to start your trips to the mountains and alpine lakes of the Tien Shan.
Kyzyl-Oy is a village in Jumgal District, in the Bishkek and the Northwest region of Kyrgyzstan, a hands reach away from the Naryn Region.
Talas is a modern town of the Talas Province in the Bishkek and the Northwest region of Kyrgyzstan with a population of about 30,000.
Articles and travel topics about Bishkek and the Northwest and Kyrgyzstan.
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Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
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