It's already been three weeks that I've been in the city of Karakol, at the east end of Issyk-Kul, and haven't written on it yet. There are more than 50'000 people living here around, but it looks like a small town with less than 5'000 inhabitants.
Beside a few parks, there are about two sights in the city: the Orthodox Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque (the Dungans are a Muslim minority that emigrated from China in the 19th century). As always in Kyrgyzstan, the interesting thing is the nature around, as Karakol is the base for many treks in summer, and is a ski resort in winter.
Beside a few parks, there are about two sights in the city: the Orthodox Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque (the Dungans are a Muslim minority that emigrated from China in the 19th century). As always in Kyrgyzstan, the interesting thing is the nature around, as Karakol is the base for many treks in summer, and is a ski resort in winter.
Toktogul street, the center of the city.
Abdrahmanov street, perpendicular to Toktugul.
All the streets look the same, except that some are paved and some other not.
A couple getting married in Victory Park.
The first sight: the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The second sight: the Dungan Mosque.
Actually there is a third sight for Swiss people. The local Historical Museum offers an exposition about Ella Maillart and her trip through Central Asia in 1932.
The animal bazaar takes place every Sunday morning from 5 to 10 AM. It is one of the biggest of Kyrgyzstan.
You can buy or sell horses, cows, goats, sheep, etc. Here the cow section.
And here the... rotten lada with sheep tight on it section.
The Dungans not only know how to build mosques, they also cook tasty food... in very large quantities.
When I have a few hours free, I like to hike in the hills south of Karakol.
From there, one can see a beautiful panorama of the town and Issyk-Kul.
The top of the hills is at 2500 meters, about 700 meters higher than Karakol.
Pristan, the beach on Issyk-Kul 15 kilometers away from Karakol.
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