Kyrgyz Nature

The country can be divided into two parts: northern and the southern parts due to its unique topography. In the north of the country, there are two big valleys called the Chui-valley (the capital Bishkek located there), and the Talas-valley. The lake Issyk-Kul called "Blue Pearl of the Tien-Shan" is the main touristic attraction of Kyrgyzstan.

The heart of Mountain massif named "Tien-Shan" is located in the middle of these valleys and is translated as "Heavenly / Celestial Mountains" from Chinese. Its highest peaks of it located in the triangle of Kyrgyzstan, China and Kazakhstan: The Peak Pobedy (7439) m and the Khan-Tengri (6995 m). Peak Pobedy is also known as the world's most northern peak. The famous glacier Enylchek and the mysterious Lake of Merzbacher take place here; the lake disappears once a year, but then refills completely. For many years scientists and explorers were uncertain about its existence - some of them marked it on their maps giving descriptions; some did not - depending on season and water level. Usually exploring of this territory has a start off from the town of Karakol at the eastern end of Lake Issyk-Kul.

The Tien-Shan mountains have a miscellaneous area and can offer different kinds of landscapes one could imagine: low situated valleys with forests and woods, sandy and rocky mountains, fertile high-altitude pastures and rocky and snow-topped high mountainous regions, and crystal clear mountain lakes. Beside the most celebrated lake Issyk-Kul, which is used mainly for lazy beach-holidays, the regions of lake Son-Kul at 3000m altitude and Lake Sary-Chelek at about 1900 m are the main highlights in Kyrgyzstan. (See also List of main touristic places / Son-Kul; Sary-Chelek)

The country is not only known for its beautiful landscapes, but for its fauna as well: rare animals like the Marco-Polo sheep and the snow leopard still live in the area, and birds of prey such as eagles, falcons and vulture are very often met here, you could also see some seagulls at 3000m altitude and find extraordinary species everywhere around the country.

In the south-west, the Tien-Shan mountainous system has two parts. The Ferghana-valley takes place in the middle of them. The biggest part of this lowland is situated in Uzbekistan, but the eastern part also reaches the territory of Kyrgyzstan. It is normally popular for its fertile good cultivated land, juicy and fresh choice of fruits and vegetables. In this part of Kyrgyzstan the population can be quite dense, and also here situated the second largest town of the country named Osh, with population of about 300.000 inhabitants.

Tourists can find a relaxing atmosphere in the mountains with emerald fields full of sunflowers, an abundance of national food.

A small part of the Pamir mountainous system is situated in the South of the country and borders on Tajikistan and China. There is another high peak called Peak Lenin (7134m), which is popular among mountaineers from all over the world, because of its more or less easier ascent.

In general mountainous landscape can offer you a big diversity matching to the taste of everyone!