What to See in Karakol

The museum has several interesting displays (labeled in English, Russian and Kyrgyz). Scythian artifacts include bronze pots retrieved from Lake Issyk-Kul, displayed alongside exhibits of petroglyphs. Besides a comprehensive display of traditional Kyrgyz punched leatherwork, felt wall hangings and woven yurt decorations, the museum has a colorful collection of national costumes, and examples of finely worked silver jewelry. One hall covers the region's flora and fauna - much of which is endangered. The museum is also worth visiting to gain a Soviet perspective of history in the region. A couple of walls relating to Kyrgyz union with Russia and the subsequent revolution are now historical artifacts in themselves. It’s a great place to see pictures and artifacts Karakol’s history. There are many stuffed animals inside, and great pictures by Ella Millart, a famous Swiss traveler.

Przhewalsky collected an enormous zoological collection, which comprised several thousand of species of plant, animals, birds, fishes and insects. In the year of 1888, he died from typhoid fever on the eve of his fifth expedition to Central Asia; he was buried on the Issyk-Kul lakeside, not far from the city of Karakol. The local historical Museum has more than 8 works of Przhewalsky published between 1883 and 1947, and 30 photocopies and photos. Today there are personal things, documents photos and articles of Przhewalsky kept there. Not far from the museum there is the traveler’s tomb and monument. In addition, in 1998 Hussein Karasaw, a famous Kyrgyz linguist, was buried there too. Przhewalsky is one of the first persons to discover Karakol and the mountains. You can learn about his adventures and discoveries at this museum.

Over the years, particularly following the Revolution in 1917, it has been used as an educational centre housing a school, ladies’ gymnasium, an institution of higher education, a sports hall, a theater, a dance hall, and as a coal store. Then, in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Kyrgyzstan, the local authority gave the building back to the church. The painting’s and symbols inside the church are different than churches in Europe and interesting. It’s a great place to take pictures and have a rest from the noise of the city.

This is a reddish rock shaped like a broken heart. For this rock, there are several legends: long ago a king who was very rich and had many wives went hunting. One day he saw a beautiful girl with black long hair. He fall in love with her at first sight, and wanted to marry her. However she was from a poor family and was already engaged. Her family ran away from the king when they learned that he wanted their daughter. But the king caught them, killed her fiancé and her family. Her heart was torn by sadness and the Broken Heart appeared in that place.

An ingenious system allowed builders to build the mosque with no metal reinforcement tools. The mosque holds 42 based pillars. Encircling of the building is multi-tiered wooden cornice, decorated with images of plants like grapes, pomegranates, pears and peaches. Besides it the mosque is registered as a historical monument and protected by the law. Today the mosque operates successfully and opens for everyone who visits our city. The Mosque is very beautiful and interesting because it’s the only Chinese architecture in Kyrgyzstan.

The setting amid semi-derelict flourmills might seem unprepossessing, but on clear days the backdrop of white-topped mountains is more striking from here than from the town center. A series of earthen unloading platforms lead north. Jostle through the chaos to reach a bigger main compound one block north, where you’ll find horse sales and vendors of beautiful embossed leather saddles. On foot the bazaar is about 25 minutes’ walk from the city center.

During the summer time there yurts built. At the yurt you try Kyrgyz traditional drink Kymys while enjoying the beauty of the landscape. Why you should go there?There is three amazing waterfalls that can be seen within a few hours of hiking. It’s a great one-day activity for anyone. Make sure to bring a lunch and hiking boots.

There are many local bears, wolf, deer, camels, Prjevalski's horses, peacock and many others animals. It’s a great place to spend one hour and relax with the wildlife. In the mountains it’s very hard to see native wild animals but at the zoo you can see many Kyrygz wild animals. The zoo is a fun and interesting place it’s definitely worth a stop.

From the canyon you can see a majestic panorama of Lake Issyk-Kul and snow caped mountains. It’s an excellent destination for children and adults because it’s an easy hike close to Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way back to Bishkek, it’s really worth a stop because of the view of Issyk Kul Lake and the view of the mountains.

Many locals believe that it has healing properties.