Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Everything at Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe is served in takeout containers.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
The fried green tomato sandwich comes on jalapeño cornbread toast.
Café Reconcile
BBQ shrimp braised in beer are a popular menu item.
High Hat Cafe
The pastries at Lagniappe Bakehouse are worth waking up for.
Lagniappe Bakehouse
Peter Vazquez has been quietly making a name for himself for years.
The Appetite Repair Shop
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
15 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
16 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
17 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
18 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Kyrgyzstan

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Kyrgyzstan

20 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Kyrgyzstan

Updated November 24, 2022

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Trips
Map
Leaderboards
Stories

Unusual Attractions in Kyrgyzstan

Another angle from the outside

At-Bashi District, Kyrgyzstan

Tash Rabat

Extremely isolated Silk Road caravanserai in the middle of nowhere.
Muzey Sulayman Too.

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Muzey Sulayman Too

An outstanding piece of retro Sci-Fi architecture built into a sacred mountain.
A bowl of ashlan fu ready to be eaten with chopsticks.

Yrdyk, Kyrgyzstan

Dungan Family Restaurant

On the shores of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake, a family cooks a feast that tells the sad tale of a people's exile.
Yuri Gagarin’s big boulder head.

Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan

Monument to Yuri Gagarin

A boulder carved into the shape of the cosmonaut's head.
Mural, depicting a raw man-slaughtering Nazi on a demon horse (Flickr / Nathan Hamm)

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

National Museum of Kyrgyzstan

Time capsule of a museum, in which the Soviet Union remains alive and kicking.
View of the lake with its floating icebergs

Ak-Su, Kyrgyzstan

Merzbacher Lake

Glacial lake that mysteriously empties itself every year.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek Circus

This retro, UFO-like structure is a remnant of the Soviet-era circus.
Ala Kul Lake

Kyrgyzstan

Ala Kul Lake

A stunning blue-green lake located in the Terskey Alatau mountain range.
See All 20 Things To Do in Kyrgyzstan

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Kyrgyzstan

A bowl of ashlan fu ready to be eaten with chopsticks.

Yrdyk, Kyrgyzstan

Dungan Family Restaurant

On the shores of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake, a family cooks a feast that tells the sad tale of a people's exile.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars

A 2-Week, 4-Country Odyssey.

Book Now

Explore Kyrgyzstan

20
Architecture 5
Architectural Oddities 4
Soviet History 4
Museums 3
Geology 3
Ecosystems 2
Ruins 2
Rocks 2
History 2
Abandoned 2

Kyrgyzstan Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Max Cortesi
    7
  2. Tawsam
    4
  3. Lakehurst
    3
  4. hrnick
    2
  5. Travel Tramp
    1

Places Edited

  1. hrnick
    6
  2. Tawsam
    4
  3. Rachel
    3
  4. Max Cortesi
    3
  5. poppyoana
    3
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. jeffreyskarin
    12
  2. Max Cortesi
    12
  3. poppyoana
    9
  4. Flaneurgh
    9
  5. lcviguerie
    9
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Kyrgyzstan.

Recent Kyrgyzstan Activity

  • abudoubleu

    has been to National Museum of Kyrgyzstan

    2 days ago
  • abudoubleu

    has been to Burana Tower

    2 days ago
  • abudoubleu

    has been to Dungan Mosque

    2 days ago
  • abudoubleu

    has been to Jeti-Ögüz Rocks

    2 days ago
  • abudoubleu

    has been to Przhevalskiy Museum

    2 days ago

Stories About Kyrgyzstan

Jenny Tough from Canada rides in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

The Toughest Mountain Bike Race in the World

In Kyrgyzstan, determined riders persevere through blizzards, lack of sleep, and disintegrating shoes.
by Yam G-Jun
July 15, 2022
Qurt at the Osh Bazaar in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Make the Ancient Road Snack of Central Asian Nomads

Qurt is salty, long-lasting, and packed with protein.
by Susie Armitage
March 8, 2021
A bowl of Ashlan Fu, ready to be eaten with chopsticks.

How Muslim-Chinese Food Became a Culinary Star in Kyrgyzstan

Their signature noodles are eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
by Richard Collett
December 18, 2018
An abandoned trailer in the frost of Mailuu Suu.

Life in Kyrgyzstan, 26 Years After the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Trying to see the future and reckon with the past in the former Soviet state.
by Anika Burgess
August 30, 2017

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.