Tourist Attractions in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Previously known as Pishpek and Frunze, the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek is emerging as a Central Asian tourist destination full of attractions. Located along an ancient silk trade route in what is now the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek blends nomadic origins, Muslim heritage, and a 20th century Soviet legacy into an expanding urban center. Its ever-growing population is nearing 1 million, yet the city has ample green spaces which contrast with the dusty, craggy Ala-Too mountain range and the churning factories on the industrial outskirts. Although the Kyrgyz infrastructure for tourism is still developing, Bishkek is relatively modernized, making it fairly easy to visit popular tourist attractions. Whether Bishkek is your destination or just a stop on your way to mountains, the city may surprise you.

The following is a list of activities and attractions which visitors to Bishkek should consider. Many of these tourist stops are located near each other.

Statue of Manas 

Every country, it seems, has a national epic. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the hero is Manas, and his story is encapsulated by the statue in Ala-Too Square. Said to be born in the mountains, Manas helped the Kyrgyz people fight for their freedom near the close of the first millennium. Because the story of Manas was passed down orally for centuries, it has a legendary, exaggerative quality. The statue depicts the hero slaying a mythical dragon while riding his horse-like creature Ak-kula. If you have the opportunity to attend a public recitation of the unbelievably long epic poem, you will see devoted Kyrgyz performers telling the story, accompanied by a lute-like instrument known as a komuz.

Performing Arts:  Kyrgyz Symphony, Ballet, and Opera

The Manas statue is just outside the Philharmonic building, where the national orchestra plays. Tickets are still relatively inexpensive, and you may hear a range of Western music alongside traditional Kyrgyz selections. There is also an opera and ballet, housed in a pastel, columned building.