What to do in Karakol, activities, sights, local landmarks and attractions
Karakol is a city located at the eastern end of the Issyk Kuk Lake, the largest water body in Kyrgyzstan. It is a small city, about 80,000 people. It is close to the Chinese border, only 150 km. Karakol is not old compared to other Central Asian cities. It was founded by Russians in 1869.
Karakol is one of must-see points while travelling Kyrgyzstan; there are several sights in the city itself, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, a nice piece of wooden architecture. A wooden minaret of the Dungan Mosque was built by the Dungans, Muslim people who fled from China because of ethnic and religious clashes.
Karakol is a great place to start various tours in Kyrgyzstan. It is a well-known winter skiing and snow-boarding resort, the Karakol Ski Base is famous all around ski fans.
From Karakol, busy tourist itineraries run to the southern parts of Issyk Kul lake, to discover the genuine lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people, such as visiting their nomadic yurts, trek in the mountains of the Jeti-Oguz district, famous for its gorgeous mountain formations - the Seven Bulls mountains, waterfalls and alpine valleys.
