Bishkek
INTRO
Krokola, Morontobara, Barbarikon, The Port of Debal. Kolachi, Kolachi-jo-Goth, Khurachee Scindi. City of Lights, City of the Quaid, The Melting Pot of Pakistan. Behind all these aliases stretching from ancient times to contemporary history grandly stands the capital of Sindh Province and the most populous city in Pakistan, Karachi. Step into its unique cultural amalgam and let your whole being be overwhelmed by its contrasts, hectic pace, vast scope and breathtaking beaches. Get to know this business-friendly megacity and gather as many memories as possible from the unforgettable Karachi, which is not simply a city but represents a world of its own. Just let it leave its mark on you. It's worth it!
City Profile
City: Bishkek
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Area: 160 km²
Population: 900 000
Mayor: Daniyar Usenov
Language: Kyrgyz, Russian
LOCATION
Bishkek is located in the middle of the northern Kyrgyzstan, at the centre of the Chui River valley, right next to its border with Kazakhstan. Spread at the foot of the Ala-Too mountain range, which is an extension of Tien Shan mountain in the neighboring country, Bishkek is the main destination for entering Kyrgyzstan through its modern international airport.
TIME TO VISIT
Thanks to the nearby mountain that protects the city, the climate in Bishkek is not as severe as in the other regions of the country. In general, the capital has a continental climate that is characterised with hot summers and cold winters but as the air is dry, the perceived temperatures are not as extreme as they may be expected to be. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daytime temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius. Winter months are colder, especially January, when temperatures drop to about 4 degrees C. Snowing is not uncommon for this part of the country. The best time to visit Bishkek is during the summer when the weather is suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Otherwise, winter tourism is also well developed.
POPULATION
The number of people living in Kyrgyzstan capital has risen with 8 percent for the last ten years. Currently, around 900 000 residents inhabit the capital, of which about 50 percent are indigenous Kyrgyz. The minority groups include Russians who have remained in the area after the end of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians, Germans and a large number of Uzbeks. The official language in the country is Kyrgyz although a significant amount of the local people speak and understand Russian.
MAIN STREETS
The central part of the city where most of the administrative and business buildings are located is built in the shape of a rectangular. The most important streets downtown are the following:
- Chui Avenue is the main street in Bishkek that used to be called Lenin Street during the Soviet period. Most of the government buildings and shopping malls, as well as universities are situated on it.
- Sovietskaya Street is the previous name of the present Yusup Abdrakhmanov Street but is still referred to by its old title. This is where several major shopping malls can be found. One of the city's biggest bazaars, Dordoy Bazaar can be reached when going north along Sovietskaya Street.
- Erkindik Boulevard or the Freedom Boulevard runs from the main railway station to the museum quarter and the sculpture park
- Zhibek Zholu, or Silk Road, runs parallel to the main Chui Avenue. The two bus terminals are located here.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
In order to feel the atmosphere of a former Soviet Union country and to experience the local customs and traditions, you should not overlook Bishkek's tourist attractions and beautiful surroundings.
- Ala-Too Square is the main city square in Bishkek featuring the Independence monument and the State Historical Museum. Tourists can witness the changing of the guards in front of the independence monument. The museum used to be dedicated entirely to Lenin while today, it also shows artifacts concerning Kyrgyzstan history. The Statue of Freedom consisting of a woman holding a flame-ringed tunduk and built in 1999 for the eight anniversary of the country's independence is also situated at the square.
- The Manas Sculptural Complex, Philharmonia, is a statue complex built in 1981 depicting the hero Manas on his horse, Ak-Kula, while slaying a dragon. A part of the Kyrgyz culture is an epos named after this hero, which tells the story of his heroism as at the age of nine he killed a dragon. The Philharmonia presents a scene from this significant for the nation epos that is said to be longer than Odyssee.
- The Victory Monument on Victory Square is another symbol of Kyrgyzstan and the price people pay in order to achieve their freedom. The monuments represents a Kyrgyz woman waiting for her son and husband who probably won't return from the Great Patriotic War.
- Ala-Archa National Park is the ideal place to spend some wonderful time in the nature away from the city and its concrete steadiness. The park is situated only 40 kilometres from Bishkek and is truly marvellous with its Alpine scenery.
- Osh and Alamedin bazaars are both popular for selling food and handicrafts. As any other Asian city, visiting the local bazaar is a must no matter whether you want to buy some souvenirs or get a better view of the local traditions. These two bazaars offer wide collection of paintings and traditional Kyrgyz products, including embroidered Kyrgyz hats, carpets and chess sets with typical Kyrgyz figures.
AIRPORT
Kyrgyzstan's main international airport is located close to Bishkek and is one of the biggest airports in Central Asia.
- Manas International Airport is situated 25 kilometres from the country's capital. Several options are at hand for reaching Bishkek. The cheapest one is to take the public transportation, bus number 153, which will take you about 45 minutes and costs 12 som. Another possibility is to take the mini-bus that will get you downtown 10 minutes faster and will charge you 20 som. If you are in a hurry, taxis are available for 350 som. More info at: http://www.airport.kg/eng/
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Getting around Kyrgyzstan capital is easy and, most importantly, cheap.
- Buses in Bishkek are the cheapest way for getting around. Fares: around 3 som per person.
- Trolley buses are also available. They are cheap and run on fixed routes as well.
- Marshrutkas are minivans that operate on fixed routes around the city for just a little more than the local buses. You wave them down and tell the driver where you want to get off. Fares: 5 som.
- Taxi in Bishkek can be any car on the street with only the driver inside. Wave the car down and you can get almost anywhere in the city for 50 Som, which is about 1 US dollar.
- Cars can be rented either from the airport or from an agency in the city. However, it is better to just walk around, as most places of interest are close to each other, or just take a taxi.
HISTORY
Initially, the region of present Bishkek was a caravan stop on the ancient Silk Road. In 1825 the area was fortified by an Uzbek khan with a mud fort and shortly after that occupied by the Russians. The Russian government decided to settle the area by giving free soils to Russian farmers who had to move and start living here. This is when the town was named Pishpek. In 1926 Pishpek became the capital of the young Kyrgyz ASSR and was renamed Frunze, after Lenin's close friend. After the country gained the independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the city was renamed Bishkek and was appointed its capital. Since then it has undergone some serious development and modernization. Today, Bishkek is a vibrant city that still carries the atmosphere of an ex-soviet cities. Many tourists visit the Kyrgyzstan capital, which is one of the fastest growing modern cities in Central Asia.
CITY LINKS
- Kyrgyzstan News: A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.kyrgyzstannews.net/
- Community Based Tourism in Kyrgyzstan: http://www.cbtkyrgyzstan.kg/
- Bishkek: http://www.advantour.com/kyrgyzstan/bishkek.htm
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Bishkek Humanities University: http://bhu.freenet.kg/
- Kyrgyz Technical University: http://ktu.freenet.kg/
- Kyrgyz State University: www.usta.kg/
- Osh State University: http://www.freenet.kg/institut/osh/