Known
as Frunze from 1926 to 1991, Bishkek (population 675,000) is the
capital of Kyrgyzstan, and the only town in the world named after
a wooden plunger - a bishkek is a churn used to make fermented mare's
milk. It's a relaxed city of wide streets and handsome houses. Residents
like to boast that it has more trees per person than any other Central
Asian country.
Bishkek is an excellent starting point for the Tian Shan mountains
and Lake Issyk-Kul, and for the overland crossing into China via
the Torugart Pass. The 4800m (15,744ft) permanently snowcapped ramparts
of the Kyrgyz Alatau range loom over the city.
Many travelers find Kyrgyzstan the most appealing, accessible and
welcoming of the Central Asian republics, particularly as it contains
the central Tian Shan and Pamir Alay ranges, Central Asia's finest
mountains. |
