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Kyrgyzstan, once situated on the ancient Silk Road, borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Most of Kyrgyzstan's borders run along mountain peaks. Its beautiful natural scenery, cool climate, and majestic mountains have earned it the nickname "Switzerland of Asia."
Kyrgyzstan is an interesting tourist destination, yet it hasn't received as much attention as other countries. However, that's precisely what makes it unique and unspoiled, a mystery waiting for visitors to discover for themselves.
Kyrgyzstan is considered a masterpiece of nature, with its spectacular landscapes ranging from endless grasslands to snow-capped mountains and magnificent lakes.
All of this creates a truly adventurous land where tourists can have experiences like a nomad: riding horses on the steppe, watching eagles hunt, skiing, setting up yurts and cooking with nomads, exploring the Islamic culture of Central Asia, learning about ancient traditional cultures… Because of its pristine and unique nature, Kyrgyzstan is often described as a green jewel of the world waiting for travelers to conquer and explore.
Horse riding in Kyrgyzstan is a great and worthwhile experience in the vast steppe landscape.
A yurt is a type of round tent characteristic of nomadic peoples in Central Asia and Mongolia. Inside, it has a wooden or iron frame and is covered with thick canvas or animal hides, making it incredibly warm. Sleeping in a yurt is a unique experience for anyone traveling in Kyrgyzstan.
Nguyen Anh Tuan (Hanoi) recently visited the Kyrgyzstan steppe. During this trip, he visited places such as: the capital Bishkek, the Burana Tower – a remaining relic that was once part of the legendary Silk Road, Lake Issykkul – the world's second-largest mountain lake with a length of 182 km, the red sandstone mountains of Skazka, the Chon Kemin Valley, the Barskaun Valley – with scenery reminiscent of Switzerland, Karakol, the village of Altyn Arashan, and the village of Jyrgalan with its fairytale-like landscapes.
Kyrgyzstan is considered to have the most snow-capped mountain peaks and high plateau grasslands in the world. The country has over 80 mountain ranges, covering more than 70% of its territory, and numerous impressive valleys and plains stretching for miles. Nature is ubiquitous in Kyrgyzstan.
Nguyen Anh Tuan (Hanoi) recently visited the steppe region of Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan was born for travelers who love to explore the majestic mountain ranges of Central Asia.
High mountains covered in white snow
“All those locations showcase Kyrgyzstan as a country with incredibly diverse topography. From snow-capped mountains to vast deserts and steppes, from red sandstone hills and dunes to deep, blue lakes, everything combined to create a trip filled with unique experiences of this country,” Anh Tuan shared.
According to Anh Tuan, a tour operator, Kyrgyzstan is currently a very popular tourist destination. Entering Kyrgyzstan is also very simple because Vietnamese citizens are visa-exempt. The main languages spoken in Kyrgyzstan are Kyrgyz and Russian; English is rarely spoken.
In terms of transportation, Kyrgyzstan is still poor and hasn't focused on tourism development, so there aren't many public transport options in the country. Therefore, during their recent trip, Anh Tuan's group rented a car from a land tour company in Kyrgyzstan for transportation throughout the journey.
Springtime on the roads of Kyrgyzstan
The people of Kyrgyzstan are described as extremely friendly and hospitable.
Speaking about cuisine, Anh Tuan believes that in Kyrgyzstan in particular and Central Asia in general, the food is quite delicious and suits the Vietnamese palate. The Kyrgyz people have a nomadic lifestyle for generations, so most of their dishes can be preserved for a long time. The dishes are often made from lamb, beef, and chicken. Some famous Kyrgyz dishes include: Shashlyk (grilled meat), Manti (dumplings), Shurpa (traditional soup), Men karyn (chilled sliced horse stomach), and Chuchuk (smoked horse sausage)…
“What’s even more special about this trip to Kyrgyzstan is that it took place in spring, so the plants and flowers were all budding. Everywhere was covered in a vibrant green. Peach, apple, and cherry trees were blooming white along the roadsides. All of this created a very majestic and romantic scene,” Anh Tuan said.
Kyrgyzstan is a country of hiking and trekking trails.
The old brick house in the small village of Jyrgalan looks as if it was built a long time ago.
Burana Tower is one of Kyrgyzstan's most famous archaeological sites.
The pristine, idyllic scenery is rarely seen elsewhere. Perhaps that's why people often say: "Kyrgyzstan is an epic of majestic nature, yet equally peaceful and poetic."
