Бишкек
Bish-kek
Bishkek — the capital of Kyrgyzstan
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's capital, known for Soviet-era architecture and views of the Tian Shan mountains
Grammar Note
"Бишкек" may derive from a paddle for stirring kymyz. During the Soviet era it was called Frunze (Фрунзе).
Ысык-Көл
Y-syk-Köl
Issyk-Kul — alpine lake
Usage
The world's second largest alpine lake. Famous as a summer resort destination
Ала-Арча улуттук паркы
Ala-Archa uluttuk parky
Ala-Archa National Park near Bishkek
Usage
Tian Shan national park just outside Bishkek, popular for hiking
Каракол шаары
Karakol shaary
Karakol town — base for Tian Shan trekking
Usage
Town at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul and starting point for Tian Shan treks
Таш-Рабат
Tash-Ra-bat
Tash-Rabat — Silk Road caravanserai
Usage
Silk Road caravanserai ruins in the mountains of Naryn province
Grammar Note
Tash-Rabat, built around the 15th century, is Kyrgyzstan's best-preserved Silk Road caravanserai. Located at 3,500m altitude.
Сулайман-Тоо
Sulayman-Too
Sulayman-Too — UNESCO World Heritage sacred mountain in Osh
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Osh city
Grammar Note
Named for King Solomon (Sulayman in Islam), said to have prayed here. An important pilgrimage site across Central Asia's Islamic world.
Боз үй лагери
Boz üy lageri
Traditional yurt camp
Usage
Refers to a camp of traditional nomadic yurts
Кыргызстан
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Usage
The country itself, formally Кыргыз Республикасы (Kyrgyz Republic). Over 90% of it sits above 1,500m
Чүй облусу
Chuy oblusu
Chuy Oblast
Usage
Northern province surrounding Bishkek. The flattest, most populated region, bordering Kazakhstan
Ысык-Көл облусу
Ysyk-Kol oblusu
Issyk-Kul Oblast
Usage
Province covering Lake Issyk-Kul and the eastern Tian Shan. Capital is Karakol; the country's tourism heartland
Нарын облусу
Naryn oblusu
Naryn Oblast
Usage
High-altitude central province on the road to the Torugart Pass into China; holds Song-Kul and Tash-Rabat
Талас облусу
Talas oblusu
Talas Oblast
Usage
Northwestern province tied to the Manas epic. Reached over mountain passes, so a car or shared taxi is needed
Жалал-Абад облусу
Jalal-Abad oblusu
Jalal-Abad Oblast
Usage
Southwestern province with the Arslanbob walnut forest, the Sary-Chelek reserve, and the Toktogul reservoir
Ош облусу
Osh oblusu
Osh Oblast
Usage
Southern province spanning the Fergana valley and the Alay range; gateway to the Pamir Highway and Irkeshtam Pass
Баткен облусу
Batken oblusu
Batken Oblast
Usage
Far southwestern province with Tajik enclaves and a tangled border. Check the border situation before travelling
Ош
Osh
Osh
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's second city, the "southern capital". A 3,000-year-old Silk Road town with an international airport and the Jayma Bazaar
Жалал-Абад
Jalal-Abad
Jalal-Abad
Usage
Southwestern provincial capital and the country's third city, long known for its mineral spa. Russian maps show Джалал-Абад
Нарын
Naryn
Naryn
Usage
Provincial capital on the Naryn River at about 2,000m; the supply stop before Torugart, Tash-Rabat, or Song-Kul
Талас
Talas
Talas
Usage
Northwestern provincial capital. The Manas Ordo mausoleum complex is just outside; about five hours from Bishkek over a pass
Баткен
Batken
Batken
Usage
Far southwestern provincial capital, known for apricots. Border conditions nearby change; check locally before moving around
Токмок
Tokmok
Tokmok
Usage
Chuy province town about 60km east of Bishkek, the base for the Burana Tower and the Suyab ruins. Russian maps show Токмак
Кара-Балта
Kara-Balta
Kara-Balta
Usage
Industrial town about 60km west of Bishkek where the Bishkek–Osh highway turns south toward the Too-Ashuu Pass
Балыкчы
Balykchy
Balykchy
Usage
Town at the western tip of Issyk-Kul where the north and south shore roads split. Soviet-era name Rybachye (Рыбачье) still appears on old maps
Чолпон-Ата
Cholpon-Ata
Cholpon-Ata
Usage
The main resort town on the north shore of Issyk-Kul, centre of summer beach and sanatorium tourism, with an open-air petroglyph museum
Кант
Kant
Kant
Usage
Chuy province town about 20km east of Bishkek; the name means "sugar" after its sugar industry. Buses toward Issyk-Kul pass through
Кемин
Kemin
Kemin
Usage
Eastern Chuy province town between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul, the turn-off for the Chon-Kemin valley
Сокулук
Sokuluk
Sokuluk
Usage
District centre just west of Bishkek on the Bishkek–Osh highway; a common destination sign on marshrutkas
Кочкор
Kochkor
Kochkor
Usage
Northern Naryn province town known for felt crafts and as the place to arrange Song-Kul yurt stays; the lake needs a 4WD and driver
Ат-Башы
At-Bashy
At-Bashy
Usage
Southern Naryn province town at about 2,000m, the last settlement before Tash-Rabat and the Torugart Pass. Arrange a driver here
Түп
Tüp
Tüp
Usage
District centre on the northeast shore of Issyk-Kul, on the road from Karakol toward the Karkyra border with Kazakhstan. Russian maps show Тюп
Кызыл-Суу
Kyzyl-Suu
Kyzyl-Suu
Usage
District centre on the south shore of Issyk-Kul. Its Soviet name Pokrovka (Покровка) is still used on old maps and by older drivers
Бөкөнбаев
Bokonbayev
Bokonbayev
Usage
South shore Issyk-Kul town known for eagle-hunting demonstrations and yurt stays. Russian maps show Боконбаево
Барскоон
Barskoon
Barskoon
Usage
South shore village at the mouth of the Barskoon gorge and waterfalls, where the mine road up to the Barskoon Pass begins
Тамга
Tamga
Tamga
Usage
Quiet south shore village with a Soviet-era cosmonaut sanatorium, now a cluster of guesthouses
Жыргалаң
Jyrgalan
Jyrgalan
Usage
Former coal village about 60km east of Karakol at roughly 2,200m, now a trekking and backcountry ski base
Өзгөн
Uzgen
Uzgen
Usage
Ancient town about 55km northeast of Osh with Karakhanid minaret and mausoleums, famous for devzira rice. Russian maps show Узген
Кара-Суу
Kara-Suu
Kara-Suu
Usage
Town about 20km east of Osh on the Uzbek border, home to one of Central Asia's largest wholesale bazaars
Кызыл-Кыя
Kyzyl-Kiya
Kyzyl-Kiya
Usage
Coal-mining town in eastern Batken province, on the road from Osh toward Batken
Майлуу-Суу
Mailuu-Suu
Mailuu-Suu
Usage
Former uranium town in Jalal-Abad province with radioactive tailings; not a sightseeing stop, but a name you pass on the road
Таш-Көмүр
Tash-Kumyr
Tash-Kumyr
Usage
Coal town on the Naryn River; the name means "coal". A landmark on the southern half of the Bishkek–Osh highway
Кербен
Kerben
Kerben
Usage
Centre of Aksy district, Jalal-Abad province. Called Karavan (Караван) until 2002, and still labelled so on older maps
Кара-Көл
Kara-Kul
Kara-Kul
Usage
Jalal-Abad province town built for the Toktogul dam. Not to be confused with the lake of the same name in Tajikistan
Токтогул
Toktogul
Toktogul
Usage
Jalal-Abad province town beside the reservoir of the same name, the usual midway rest stop on the Bishkek–Osh highway
Сүлүктү
Sulukta
Sulukta
Usage
Coal town in Batken province and one of the westernmost places in Kyrgyzstan. Russian maps show Сулюкта
Исфана
Isfana
Isfana
Usage
Centre of Leilek district in Batken province and the westernmost town in Kyrgyzstan. Check overland routes; the borders here interlock
Сары-Могол
Sary-Mogol
Sary-Mogol
Usage
Alay valley village at about 3,000m, the jumping-off point for Lenin Peak base camp; a vehicle and driver must be arranged
Манас эл аралык аэропорту
Manas el aralyk aeroportu
Manas International Airport
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's main airport (code FRU), about 23km northwest of Bishkek. Reach the city by taxi or marshrutka 380
Ош эл аралык аэропорту
Osh el aralyk aeroportu
Osh International Airport
Usage
The country's second airport (code OSS), about 5km northwest of the city. Several daily flights from Bishkek cut the 12-hour road trip to one hour
Ысык-Көл эл аралык аэропорту
Ysyk-Kol el aralyk aeroportu
Issyk-Kul International Airport
Usage
Airport at Tamchy on the north shore of Issyk-Kul (code IKU), close to Cholpon-Ata. Flights are mostly seasonal and irregular
Бишкек-Ош жолу
Bishkek-Osh jolu
Bishkek–Osh highway
Usage
The single 670km artery linking north and south, crossing two 3,000m passes in 12–14 hours. It can close for snow in winter
Төө-Ашуу ашуусу
Töö-Ashuu ashuusu
Too-Ashuu Pass
Usage
First pass on the Bishkek–Osh highway at 3,586m, with a 2.5km tunnel at about 3,200m. Only passable by vehicle
Ала-Бел ашуусу
Ala-Bel ashuusu
Ala-Bel Pass
Usage
Second pass on the Bishkek–Osh highway at 3,175m, beyond the Suusamyr plateau where kymyz is sold at the roadside in summer
Бишкек-Нарын-Торугарт жолу
Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart jolu
Bishkek–Naryn–Torugart road
Usage
The 540km route toward Kashgar in China via Balykchy, Kochkor, the Dolon Pass, and Naryn. A vehicle is needed the whole way
Долон ашуусу
Dolon ashuusu
Dolon Pass
Usage
Pass at about 3,030m between Kochkor and Naryn, crossed by everyone heading for Song-Kul or Torugart
Торугарт ашуусу
Torugart ashuusu
Torugart Pass
Usage
Border pass into Xinjiang at 3,752m. No walking or cycling across; pre-arranged vehicles are required on both sides. Weekdays only
Иркештам ашуусу
Irkeshtam ashuusu
Irkeshtam Pass
Usage
Border crossing to Kashgar from Osh at about 3,000m. Easier procedures than Torugart and more truck traffic
Памир жолу
Pamir jolu
Pamir Highway
Usage
Route M41 running from Osh into Tajikistan toward Murghab and Khorog. The Kyrgyz section goes via Sary-Tash to the Kyzyl-Art Pass
Кызыл-Арт ашуусу
Kyzyl-Art ashuusu
Kyzyl-Art Pass
Usage
Tajik border pass on the Pamir Highway at 4,280m. Watch for altitude sickness; a 4WD and driver are effectively required
Сары-Таш
Sary-Tash
Sary-Tash
Usage
Alay valley junction village at about 3,170m where the roads to China and to Tajikistan split; the place to change shared cars
Барскоон ашуусу
Barskoon ashuusu
Barskoon Pass
Usage
Pass at about 3,800m leading inland from the south shore of Issyk-Kul. It is a mine road, so access varies; 4WD and a driver needed
Ак-Жол чек ара өткөрмө пункту
Ak-Jol chek ara otkormo punktu
Ak-Jol border crossing
Usage
The busiest Kazakh border crossing, north of Bishkek. The Kazakh side is Korday (Кордай); buses to Almaty pass through
Чалдыбар чек ара өткөрмө пункту
Chaldybar chek ara otkormo punktu
Chaldybar border crossing
Usage
Kazakh border crossing in western Chuy province, used when heading from the Kara-Balta side toward Taraz
Каркыра чек ара өткөрмө пункту
Karkyra chek ara otkormo punktu
Karkyra border crossing
Usage
Mountain crossing from Karakol toward Kegen in Kazakhstan. Usually open only in summer, so confirm before setting out
Достук чек ара өткөрмө пункту
Dostuk chek ara otkormo punktu
Dostuk border crossing
Usage
Uzbek border crossing on the western edge of Osh city; you can walk across and continue toward Andijan
Кара-Суу чек ара өткөрмө пункту
Kara-Suu chek ara otkormo punktu
Kara-Suu border crossing
Usage
Uzbek border crossing at Kara-Suu east of Osh, next to the bazaar and busy with local traffic
Батыш автобекети
Batysh avtobeketi
West Bus Station, Bishkek
Usage
Bishkek's main long-distance terminal, with shared taxis to Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Karakol. Signed in Russian as Западный автовокзал
Чыгыш автобекети
Chygysh avtobeketi
East Bus Station, Bishkek
Usage
Eastern Bishkek terminal with marshrutkas to the north shore of Issyk-Kul, Chon-Kemin, and Tokmok. Signed in Russian as Восточный автовокзал
Ош автобекети
Osh avtobeketi
Osh bus station
Usage
Osh's long-distance bus and shared-taxi stand, serving Bishkek, Sary-Tash, and Batken
Бишкек-2 темир жол вокзалы
Bishkek-2 temir jol vokzaly
Bishkek-2 railway station
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's only real passenger station, but service is minimal: summer trains to Balykchy and long-distance trains to Russia. Buses and shared taxis do the real work
Теңир-Тоо
Tengir-Too
Tian Shan
Usage
The range that covers most of Kyrgyzstan; the Kyrgyz name means "mountains of heaven". Known internationally as Tian Shan (Тянь-Шань)
Кыргыз Ала-Тоосу
Kyrgyz Ala-Toosu
Kyrgyz Ala-Too range
Usage
The wall of mountains rising south of Bishkek, topping out near 4,875m. Ala-Archa National Park lies inside it
Күңгөй Ала-Тоо
Kungoy Ala-Too
Kungey Ala-Too range
Usage
The range along the north side of Issyk-Kul; the name means "sunny side". It forms the border with Kazakhstan
Тескей Ала-Тоо
Teskey Ala-Too
Terskey Ala-Too range
Usage
The range south of Issyk-Kul; the name means "shady side". Trails to Ala-Kul and Altyn-Arashan run up into it
Алай кырка тоосу
Alay kyrka toosu
Alay range
Usage
Southern range separating the Fergana valley from the Alay valley, crossed by the road from Osh to Sary-Tash
Алай өрөөнү
Alay oroonu
Alay Valley
Usage
Broad high valley at about 3,000m looking south to Lenin Peak, dotted with nomad yurts in summer. A car and driver are needed
Жеңиш чокусу
Jengish Chokusu
Jengish Chokusu (Pobeda Peak)
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's highest mountain at 7,439m and the summit of the Tian Shan, on the Chinese border. Russian name Pik Pobedy (Пик Победы)
Хан-Теңири
Khan-Tengiri
Khan Tengri
Usage
Pyramid-shaped 7,010m peak at the Kyrgyz–Kazakh–Chinese junction, nicknamed the blood mountain for its red sunset glow
Ленин чокусу
Lenin chokusu
Lenin Peak
Usage
7,134m peak on the Kyrgyz–Tajik border, the most-climbed 7,000er in the region. Base camp is at Achik-Tash, about 3,600m
Эңилчек мөңгүсү
Engilchek mongusu
Inylchek Glacier
Usage
One of Central Asia's largest glaciers at roughly 60km, the approach to Khan Tengri. A border permit plus a helicopter or long trek is required
Соң-Көл
Song-Kol
Song-Kul
Usage
Naryn province alpine lake at 3,016m, grazed by herders and open for yurt stays only in summer. Snowed in outside June–September; needs a car and driver
Чатыр-Көл
Chatyr-Kol
Chatyr-Kul
Usage
Lake at 3,530m just short of the Torugart Pass. It sits in the border zone, so a permit is required
Көл-Суу
Kel-Suu
Kel-Suu
Usage
Canyon lake at about 3,500m in southern Naryn province near the Chinese border. A border permit and 4WD are mandatory; summer only
Ала-Көл
Ala-Kol
Ala-Kul
Usage
Glacial lake at about 3,560m south of Karakol, reached on a two- to three-day trek over a pass. Snowbound outside July–September
Тулпар-Көл
Tulpar-Kol
Tulpar-Kul
Usage
Lake at about 3,500m below Lenin Peak in the Alay valley, with yurt camps and the route on to base camp
Сары-Челек
Sary-Chelek
Sary-Chelek
Usage
UNESCO biosphere reserve in Jalal-Abad province, a forest lake at about 1,880m. A car and driver are needed to reach it
Арстанбап
Arstanbap
Arslanbob
Usage
Jalal-Abad province village at about 1,600m, set in the world's largest natural walnut forest, with waterfalls. Russian maps show Арсланбоб
Жети-Өгүз
Jeti-Oguz
Jeti-Oguz
Usage
Red sandstone formations and gorge about 25km southwest of Karakol; the name means "seven bulls". Easiest as a day trip by car
Алтын-Арашан
Altyn-Arashan
Altyn-Arashan
Usage
Hot-spring valley at about 2,600m east of Karakol. The track is rough: hire a 4WD driver or walk three to four hours
Ысык-Ата
Ysyk-Ata
Issyk-Ata
Usage
Chuy province hot-spring resort at about 1,775m, some 80km southeast of Bishkek, with a Soviet-era sanatorium
Чоң-Кемин өрөөнү
Chon-Kemin oroonu
Chon-Kemin valley
Usage
National park valley between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul, popular for horse riding, rafting, and homestays
Барскоон шаркыратмасы
Barskoon sharkyratmasy
Barskoon waterfalls
Usage
Cluster of falls in the Barskoon gorge on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, along the pass road, with a Yuri Gagarin monument nearby
Кегети шаркыратмасы
Kegeti sharkyratmasy
Kegeti waterfall
Usage
Roughly 30m waterfall in the Kegeti gorge, Chuy province, east of Bishkek. A day trip, but you need a car
Нарын дарыясы
Naryn daryyasy
Naryn River
Usage
Kyrgyzstan's longest river, rising in the Tian Shan, filling the Toktogul reservoir, and becoming the Syr Darya in Uzbekistan
Чүй дарыясы
Chuy daryyasy
Chuy River
Usage
River watering the northern Chuy valley; part of it forms the border with Kazakhstan north of Bishkek
Токтогул суу сактагычы
Toktogul suu saktagychy
Toktogul reservoir
Usage
The country's largest reservoir, damming the Naryn River. The Bishkek–Osh highway runs along its shore, the scenic stretch of the drive
Кырчын жайлоосу
Kyrchyn jayloosu
Kyrchyn jailoo
Usage
Summer pasture in the mountains north of Cholpon-Ata, used as the ethno-culture venue of the World Nomad Games
Бурана мунарасы
Burana munarasy
Burana Tower
Usage
11th-century minaret near Tokmok on the site of ancient Balasagun, ringed by balbal stone figures. About 90 minutes by car from Bishkek
Ак-Бешим
Ak-Beshim
Ak-Beshim (Suyab)
Usage
Ruins of the Silk Road city of Suyab near Tokmok, part of the UNESCO Silk Roads: Chang'an–Tianshan Corridor listing
Өзгөн архитектуралык комплекси
Uzgen arkhitekturalyk kompleksi
Uzgen architectural complex
Usage
11th–12th-century Karakhanid minaret and three mausoleums in Uzgen, about an hour by car from Osh
Шах-Фазил күмбөзү
Shah-Fazil kumbozu
Shah Fazil mausoleum
Usage
11th–12th-century mausoleum at Safed-Bulan village, Jalal-Abad province, a pilgrimage site with outstanding carved stucco. A car is needed
Саймалуу-Таш
Saimaluu-Tash
Saimaluu-Tash
Usage
Petroglyph field above 3,000m near Kazarman in Jalal-Abad province, one of Central Asia's largest. Reachable only in July–August on horseback or on foot
Чолпон-Ата петроглифтери
Cholpon-Ata petroglifteri
Cholpon-Ata petroglyph field
Usage
Bronze Age to Saka petroglyphs scattered over the hillside north of Cholpon-Ata, one of the few sites you can walk to from town
Манас Ордо
Manas Ordo
Manas Ordo
Usage
Memorial complex outside Talas around a 14th-century mausoleum said to hold the hero Manas. About five hours from Bishkek over a pass
Ала-Тоо аянты
Ala-Too ayanty
Ala-Too Square
Usage
Bishkek's central square, with the changing of the flag guard, the history museum, and the Manas statue all in one place
Манас айкели
Manas aykeli
Manas statue
Usage
Equestrian statue of the epic hero Manas on Ala-Too Square, the clearest meeting-point landmark in Bishkek
Кыргыз улуттук тарых музейи
Kyrgyz uluttuk taryh muzeyi
Kyrgyz National History Museum
Usage
National museum facing Ala-Too Square, notable for nomadic artefacts and its Soviet-era ceiling murals
Ата-Бейит эстелик комплекси
Ata-Beyit estelik kompleksi
Ata-Beyit memorial complex
Usage
Memorial about 30km south of Bishkek over the 1938 purge victims and the April 2010 dead. The writer Chinghiz Aitmatov is buried here
Ош базары
Osh bazary
Osh Bazaar, Bishkek
Usage
Bishkek's big west-side market for spices, dried fruit, and kalpak hats. Despite the name it has nothing to do with the city of Osh
Дордой базары
Dordoy bazary
Dordoi Bazaar
Usage
Container market on Bishkek's northern edge, one of Central Asia's largest wholesale markets and the hub for Chinese goods
Жайма базар
Jayma bazar
Jayma Bazaar, Osh
Usage
Open-air market stretching for kilometres along the Ak-Buura River in Osh, held on the same ground since Silk Road times
Дүңгөн мечити
Dungan mechiti
Dungan Mosque, Karakol
Usage
Early 20th-century wooden mosque in Karakol, built without nails in Chinese temple style by Dungan (Chinese Muslim) craftsmen
Ыйык Троица чиркөөсү
Yiyik Troitsa chirkoosu
Holy Trinity Church, Karakol
Usage
Wooden Russian Orthodox church in central Karakol from the late 19th century, the town's other main sight alongside the Dungan Mosque
Пржевальскийдин музейи
Przhevalskiydin muzeyi
Przhevalsky Memorial Museum
Usage
Grave and museum of the explorer Przhevalsky on the lakeshore north of Karakol. In Soviet times the town itself was named Przhevalsk after him
Рух Ордо
Ruh Ordo
Ruh Ordo cultural centre
Usage
Lakeside cultural complex in Cholpon-Ata with chapels for five world religions and sculpture walks, a standard Issyk-Kul stop
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