How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 13 Bishkek)

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Visited 10-11 July 2024.

After spending 25 days exploring Xinjiang in China, I wanted to hop over to Kyrgyzstan, next door to Xinjiang, a neighbor of China. So, on the 9th of July, I flew from Urumqi to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked ex-Soviet state. Ethnic Kyrgyz, a Turkic ethnic group native to Central Asia, makes up the majority of the country’s 7 million people, followed by significant minorities of Uzbeks and Russians. Kyrgyzstan is a relative unknown; the Kyrgyzs are unheard of. Unraveling mysteries is tantalizing.

90% of its population identifies as Muslims. On the street, I noticed some women wear hijabs, but many do not. They dress modestly and with taste. A significant number are white, probably of Russian ethnicity. The majority are more Asian looking, with their unique distinctive looks – dark hair, round eyes, and tall relative to the Asians.

I have visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, both ex-Soviet states. So, it does not surprise me Bishkek looks quite Russian, its Soviet past has stamped its marks. Shop signs are in Kyrgyz and Russian. English is uncommon here. At the city’s main square, the Togtogul Square, Russian-styled buildings are prominent, including the parliament building, the Philharmonic Hall Philharmonic, and universities. The Bishkek Bazar, in contrast, reflects everything traditional, selling merchandise and necessities of Kyrgyz’s daily basic needs.

After almost a month in Xinjiang eating mostly ethnic Xinjiang and Chinese, it is a welcoming change to see many Western foods on offer, fast or slow. I dug into 2 salad servings on my first day. Biskek looks, feels, and tastes surprisingly Western.

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 14 Bokonbayevo) 

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The Stops on this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Uzbekistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian

The route map: