Kyrgyzstan is known for its snowy mountains, virgin nature, culture, and especially for its amazing lake, Issyk Kul, which refers both to the lake and the region. The massive Lake Issyk Kul is centered in the region. It is completely ringed by the massive snow-capped Tien Shan Mountains, 3000-4000m in height.

 The region around the lake is stunningly beautiful and is ideal for anyone who loves the outdoors. Hiking in the surrounding hills and mountains is superb and for the more adventurous there are always activities like helicopter skiing. The lake offers sailing, surfing, rowing, scuba diving and fishing.

 The Issyk Kul Region (oblast’) is full of surprising discoveries. First, the Issyk Kul Open Air museum In Cholpon Ata - the most accessible part of the northern Issyk Kul collection of petroglyphs. The petroglyphs were carved and painted onto the surface of granite and granitoid boulders, burnt black or brown by strong sunlight over thousands of years. These petroglyphs have no analogue in Central Asia. Images of deer, goats, snow leopards, hunting and breeding scenes, all of different sizes, present an important source of information about Kyrgyz history and culture. Second, the Jeti Oguz or Seven Bulls Gorge, located 30 km southwest of Karakol, and known for its “seven red sandstone bulls (ie hills)” and Broken Heart Hill of some beauty. Some kilometres up the valley there is a huge meadow of flowers with thousands of different colours and the Oguz Basshy Peak rising up at the end of the gorge. The area is known for its alternative trekking, hiking and mountaineering possibilities. Third, the Russian Orthodox Church in Karakol is also well worth a visit. Inside there are a number of icons - including some saved from Svetly Mys (an ancient Christian site 48 km from Karakol), and a copy of an ikon of Saint Troitsy by Andrey Rublyov (who lived near Moscow from 1360 to about 1430).

 Enclosed on all sides by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, Lake Issyk Kul, literally meaning “hot lake”, is said to be the world’s second-largest alpine lake or the second highest navigable lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The lake never freezes even in the depths of winter due to thermal activity, strong winds, physics of deep water and the unique microclimate over the lake. Called "The Pearl of Central Asia", the lake changes colour from pale green to turquoise blue, depending on the time of day and the position of the sun. The crystal clear water has so exceptional a blue colour, that it is three to four times more saturated by colour than Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Anyone would be astonished at the size and scenery of huge celestial snow-capped mountain peaks shining from across from what must be one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The area around the lake is well known to locals and tourists from Kazakhstan and Russia for its beautiful, sandy shores. Most of the resorts and hotels are on the north shore of the lake.

 If you want to have an unforgettable summer on the clearest and healthiest shores of Central Asia, you should come to Issyk Kul. In addition, do not forget to take our Discovery Issyk Kul Travel Guide, which will provide you with the best pictures and information on the region and accommodation on the lake.

Silk Road Media has published Discovery Kazakhstan, Discovery Kyrgyzstan, Discovery Issyk Kul, Discovery Tajikistan and Discovery Uzbekistan travel guides. There have been 14 issues in five languages - English, French, German, Japanese, and Russian.

The Discovery Travel Guide is a reliable travel guide, with special features, such as 100 essential pages about any one country, apolitical in style, with accessible language, large photos and rich text, good maps, a favorable price, and an exclusive pocket-size format.