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The Kyrgyz people are one of the nomadic Turkic peoples - that have roamed Central Asia over the centuries.

After seven decades of Soviet rule, Kyrgyzstan emerged as an independent state with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. A small, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy, Kyrgyzstan has been the most progressive country in Central Asia in enacting market reforms, and adopting democratic principles.

Neighbouring China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan is a remote and mysterious land of remarkable beauty, which until a decade ago was strictly off limits to foreigners. Since gaining its independence from the Soviet Union, this country has opened its doors to tourism and is ready to welcome visitors with traditional Central Asian hospitality.

In ancient times Kyrgyzstan occupied an important place on the Silk Road particularly the town of Osh, which is Kyrgyzstan's second and oldest city, now celebrating its 3000th anniversary. The ancestors of the present day Kyrgyz people probably lived in southern Siberia until the 10th century, but under Mongol incursions began to spread southwards. Later on the area, which is now Kyrgyzstan, came under the Manchus and from the 18th century it was part of Kokand Khanate. The Russians invaded in the late 19th century and the land was then amalgamated into the Soviet Union until 1991, when Kyrgyzstan gained its independence.

Throughout their history the Kyrgyz have been a nomadic people and as a result Kyrgyzstan is renowned for the beauty of its scenery more than for its historical attractions. 94% of the country is mountainous, (Kyrgyzstan has 3 mountains over 7000 metres) and nature lovers will find glaciers, alpine meadows, semi-arid regions, forests and some 2000 mountain lakes, the largest of which is Lake Issyk Kul or "warm lake". Kyrgyzstan's unspoilt nature attracts many trekkers and mountaineers as does the exotic wildlife: wild goats, the Marco Polo sheep, lynxes, wild boar, brown bear, porcupines and the rare snow leopard.

Places of Interest:

Bishkek
Bishkek is a classic modern Soviet-style city with marble buildings and boulevards that seem too large for its population of around 700,000. Among the high rise apartment blocks typical of Soviet times, you'll find Central Asia creeping in again. Farmer markets (bazaars) are springing up everywhere and money changing seems to be one of the main industry. Apart from the distinctly communist-style museums and the general open atmosphere, there is not much to keep you in Bishkek, but you will spend quite a bit of time there anyway in all probability, as it is the main travel hub for Kyrgyzstan and the best place to get information or make bookings.

Ala archa gorge
Ala Archa Gorge is a mountain gorge just to the south of the capital of Bishkek. There are rare busses which run to the gate, but it's still several kilometers to the end of the road for cars and the alplagen. If you can travel by car there, you may take a nice short hike to enjoy a small forest and the scenery. There are also numerous hikes and treks which can begin from the alplagen.

Lake Issyk-Kul
Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the major attractions of Kyrgystan. Located in the east of the country, it can be reached from Bishkek or Naryn by bus or taxi. The region around the lake is stunningly beautiful and is great for anyone who loves the outdoor. Hiking is superb is the hills and mountains around, on the lake itself you can sail, surf, row, scuba div and fish and for the more adventurous there are always activities like helicopter skiing.

The lake has length of 113 miles (182 kilometres), a width of up to 38 miles, and a surface area of 2,445 square miles (6,332 square kilometres). It reaches 2,303 feet in depth and has a volume of 416 cubic miles. The lake's name, which derives from a word for "hot lake", alludes to the fact that it does not freeze over during the winter, even though the lake is situated at an altitude of 5,278 feet.

Osh
Osh is an important market town in the south of Kyrgystan. In the early 1990s there were a few riots involving ethnic violence in this region, but the last few years it has been quit quiet. Osh has been an important stop on the Silk Road and the atmosphere hasn't change much since. The town still has a fantastic bazaar.

Osh is also a great base for trekking and mountaineering in the Pamir range.

Central Tian Shan
The high and mighty part of the Tian Shan system, the central Tian Shan, is at the eastern end of Kyrgyzstan, along its borders with China and the southeastern tip of Kazakhstan. It's an immense knot of ranges culminating in the 7439m (24,400ft) Pik Pobedy (Victory Peak).

The 6995m (22,944ft) Khan-Tengri is possibly the most beautiful and demanding peak in the Tian Shan, on the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakstan border. The central Tian Shan is Central Asia's premier territory for serious trekking and mountaineering, and several Central Asian adventure-travel firms will bring you here by helicopter, 4WD and/or foot. July and August are the warmest months at these elevations but even then make sure you're fully equipped for the terrain, altitude and weather.

Culture

Nearly everyone in Kyrgyzstan is Muslim, but Islam has sat relatively lightly on the Kyrgyz people. The geographically isolated southern provinces tend to be more conservative and Islamicised than the industrialised, Russified north. Ancient but still important tribal affiliations further reinforce the north-south differences. The Kyrgyz language has not been imposed on non-speakers in Kyrgyzstan (as Uzbek has in Uzbekistan), and the use of Russian persists, especially in the north.

Central Asian literature has traditionally been popularised in the form of songs, poems and stories by itinerant minstrels, called akyn. But the Kyrgyz are also associated with something rather more complex - an entire cycle of oral legends, 20 times longer than the Odyssey, about a hero-of-heroes called Manas. The stories are part of a wider, older tradition, but have come to be associated with the Kyrgyz people and culture partly because Soviet scholars 'gave' Manas to them in efforts to create separate cultures for the various Central Asian peoples. Although the oral tradition is pretty much dead, Manas is still a figure for the Kyrgyz to hang their dreams on. Kyrgyzstan has two well-known living authors - Chinghiz Aitmatov and Kazat Akmatov.

Central Asian food resembles that of the Middle East or the Mediterranean in its use of rice, savoury seasonings, vegetables and legumes, yoghurt and grilled meats. The food eaten in Kyrgyzstan has developed from the subsistence diet of the nomads - mainly meat (including entrails), milk products and bread. Kyrgyz cuisine is not particularly subtle - a bland meal of meat and potatoes may be livened up with a spicy side dish likely to burn a hole in your mouth. Tea is ubiquitous, usually served without milk. Despite their Muslim heritage, most Kyrgyz drink alcohol, at least with guests. If you don't enjoy hard booze (commonly vodka), make your excuses early. You may come across kumys, fermented mare's milk, a mildly alcoholic drink available only in spring and summer when mares are foaling. Bozo, a thick, yeasty concoction made from fermented millet, is available year-round.

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