Travel.kg

Full-service fitness clubs: There are several offering aerobics, weight training, and swimming.  Try the Karven Club (Gogolya, 77; Tel: 68-12-18), which also offers generous discounts to International Student Card holders.  Others include the Dolphin Sports Complex (Chokmorova, 304 – at the intersection with Molodaya Gvardiya) and the Sports Palace (Togolok Moldo, across from Spartak Stadium and the tennis courts).

The Equestrian School (Bakinskaya, 204; Tel: 27-96-98) gives horseback riding lessons.

(далее…)

Ala-Too Square is to Bishkek what the Kremlin is to Moscow: it’s the center of the country’s government and the city’s life. Unfortunately, it’s not as pretty as the Kremlin, as it was built almost entirely from Soviet concrete and asphalt.  The main sites here are the White House (Presidential Palace), the «Statue of Liberty» (which replaced one of Lenin in 1991), and the Flagstaff, which is ceremoniously raised and lowered every day at sunrise and sunset respectively and which has a guard changed every hour on the daylight hour.

(далее…)

If you absolutely have to shop at high-end western retail stores, you can try the boutiques nestled into the colonnade near Ata-Too square.  There are also a few new shiny malls, like Silk Way (Chui, 147) and Karavan (on Kievskaya). However, many folks still go to the bazaars to buy clothes and other goods. Tsum is always busy, too.  Every major Soviet city had a Tsum built in the center, Bishkek’s is at the corner of Chui and Shopokov.

For quick souvenir shopping, you can head to Tsum or the second floor of Beta Stores (corner of Chui and Isanova) for marked-up souvenirs. You can also hunt down some beautiful felt work and other textile crafts at Kyrgyz Heritage (Chui, 120 – on the second floor) or Kyrgyz Style (Bokonbayeva, 133) at Logvinenko (close to Yusa). There are also regular craft fairs and exhibitions; keep an eye on the Bishkek Observer or Times of Central Asia.

If you want to hone your bargaining skills, you can buy from folks with tables on the street or venture to the bazaars. As a westerner, you are a target for an instant markup, so if you want to play it safe, shop at stores, kiosks, and bazaar stalls where the goods are priced as marked.

The country’s banking system consists of both state-owned and private banks supervised by the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR). In general, the banking system is weak and undercapitalized. In the last few years, the NBKR Bank forced four private banks to enter bankruptcy procedures because they either had issued significant loans that were not secured by their capital or had violated operational rules for banks. There is no banking insurance agency in the Kyrgyz Republic and thousands of depositors of the above-mentioned banks that went bankrupt lost their money.

There are currently 19 operating banks with 148 branches throughout the country. Besides traditional services like opening accounts and wire transfers, many banks are also managing fast money transfer systems like Western Union or MoneyGram, although rates for these services are high. Real interest rates went down slightly but still remain high, and long-term credit is unavailable. Most banks earn profit primarily from foreign exchange operations and the trading of treasury bills. There are no foreign exchange controls for either trade or investment. Hundreds of licensed foreign exchange vendors freely trade currencies at market prices. Short-term finance for trade is available at high interest rates. Most foreign entities do not seek credit in the Kyrgyz Republic because of its high cost. Export finance is difficult to obtain. Most imports are paid for in cash or by cash transfer. Letters of credit are not commonly used. Nearly everything is done on a cash basis in the private sector.

An individual or enterprise seeking to open a bank account in local banks can choose from local banks and branches of foreign banks operating in the Kyrgyz Republic. Currently in Bishkek there are branch offices of the National Bank of Pakistan, Demir Kyrgyz International Bank (Turkey), and Bank of Asia. Key local banks include Kyrgyz Industrial Credit Bank, KyrgyzPromStroiBank, EnergoBank, Kazkommertsbank Kyrgyzstan, and InEximBank.

Although quality first aid, dental, and therapeutic medical services are available in Bishkek, foreigners usually do not trust domestic physicians. In each specialized area there are recognized medical doctors doing their job professionally despite working in outmoded facilities. In other cities of the Kyrgyz Republic, the quality of medical services may be less adequate. However, given the possibility of shortages in medical supplies, it is advisable to arrange for all serious types of medical care to be provided outside of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Both Kyrgyz and Russian are widely used in the country. The Kyrgyz language is recognized as the state language, and Russian is recognized as the official language. In Bishkek and some northern towns such as Kara-Balta and Tokmak, Russian language predominates although Kyrgyz is widely used by the older generation. In rural areas and in the south, Kyrgyz dominates, but most people can and will speak Russian. Most documents are written in Russian. English is not generally spoken, although the younger generation is very enthusiastic to learn English. Unfortunately, the majority of business people do not speak English. However, there is a group of advanced middle-aged businessmen capable of working in English. The capital city of Bishkek has an international English-language elementary school and other services for expatriate families.

Currency

Kyrgyz Som (KGS; symbol лв) = 100 tyin. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 10 and 1 tyin.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and at authorised bureaux de change. The US Dollar is the easiest currency to exchange.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels in Bishkek and can also be used at banks to withdraw cash from the counter. ATMs exist but are hardly commonplace in Bishkek or Osh and even less so elsewhere.

Traveller’s Cheques

There is limited acceptance of these, but some banks in Bishkek accept traveller’s cheques, with US Dollars probably the best option; commission charges are high. Cash is recommended.

Banking Hours

Usually Mon-Fri 09:30-17:30.

Skiing in Kyrgyzstan is getting very popular beyond local citizens and guests from other countries. Ski season starts at the end of November till the end of March on some ski resorts. Skiing started to develop nearly five years ago. There are about 10 ski resorts, most of them located near capital Bishkek. If you don’t have any ski equipment you may rent it as at Bishkek as at ski resort. Most of the resorts provide their guests with accommodation and food. But not all of them in good condition. Prices vary from 30 USD to 400 USD.

Kyrgyzstan offers every type of climbing imaginable. From the high-altitude endeavors of the Tien Shan, to the Chamonix-like alpine crags of Ak Sai, to the Yosemite- style monoliths of the Karavshin, Kyrgyzstan truly has it all. In addition, Kyrgyzstan is a trekkers’ paradise. The country also boasts a romantic yurt culture and people who greet travelers with genuine warmth and curiosity. The high season for climbing is from July through September.

The most popular places for climbing are: Lenin Peak (7134 m),  Khan-Tengri Peak in Tien-Shan (7010m), Pobeda Peak in Tien-Shan (7439 m), Muztag Ata Peak in Pamir (7546m), Climbing in Ala-Archa and others…

Trekking is very popular in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is mountainous country, and there are a lot of beautiful places for tourists to visit. Tourist companies offer  a wide range of programs varying from easy one day walks to difficult many days tours. The choice of the route depends on its aim, physical abilities of travelers and duration. Main route pass across Northern and Central Tien Shan. The best time for treks is from May till October.

Here are some trecking tours offered by different agencies:to  MERZBACHER LAKE, TO SARY-CHELEK NATIONAL RESERVE, ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF SEMENOV – TIEN-SHANSKY AND MERZBACHER, ALONG THE GORGES OF KYRGYZ AND TERSKEY RANGES B/C, EOL CASTLES, MOUNTAIN LAKES & WATERFALLS B/C and  many others…