Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is the capital and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan. It was founded in 1825 as a Russian fortress to control the surrounding areas. It is located near the Ala Too mountain range, approx. 800 meters above the sea level. The city, mostly built in Soviet time, still preserves the architecture of the so called neoclassic style, with wide streets and big government buildings with marble columns.

Bishkek is known as a fairly liberal city, with all features of modern society, busy night life and variety of restaurants, bars and discos.

From Bishkek, a number of interesting tours can be organized, covering the east and north of the country, with the famous Issyk Kul Lake, and sourthern parts of Kyrgyzstan, with such areas as Osh, sometimes called the southern capital of the country.