Kyrgyzstan
The world's longest national epic.
Known as the Switzerland of Central Asia because of its picturesque mountainous geography, Kyrgyzstan is also known for the Epic of Manas. This piece of literature detailing the history of the Kyrgyz people is arguably the longest poem ever written. There's also a long nomadic history to the people here. There are still herders who practice this nomadic lifestyle which can be seen in their yurts, music, traditional clothing, and equestrian skills. Like Kazakhstan, their national dish beshbarmak is made with boiled meat, potatoes, and noodles.
Post trip thoughts: First, it feels like you are surrounded by mountains, and we drove up and over 2 of them to get from Talas to the capital city Bishkek. Next, the rural areas still look underdeveloped, and there's a lot of small scale farming/herding. Finally, people were incredibly friendly, outgoing, and helpful. I was even invited by several different locals to return one day and be a guest at their homes.
Quick facts: Source: CIA World Factbook
Area: smaller than South Dakota
Population: 6 million
Ethnic groups: Kyrgyz 73.8%, Uzbek 14.8%, Russian 5.1%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (Uyghur, Tatar, Ukrainian, German, Korean, etc.)
Language: Kyrgyz (state) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2%
Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 7%, other 3%
Capital: Bishkek
GDP Per Capita: $4,800
Currency: Som ($1 = 87 Som)
Central Asia
A graveyard of empires.
Trip Summary
Date: March 28 - April 12, 2025
Map Source: Google Maps
29-31 = Dushanbe, Tajikistan
1-3 = Termez, Uzbekistan
3-5 = Bukhara, Uzbekistan
5-7 = Samarkand, Uzbekistan
7-8 = Tashkent, Uzbekistan
9 = Turkistan (Turkestan), Kazakhstan
10 = Taraz, Kazakhstan
10-11 = Talas, Kyrgyzstan
11-12 = Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Trip Summary
The world's longest national epic.
Date: 10-11 April, 2025
Route: Blue = Serbia, Red = Bosnia and Herzegovina
Map Source: Google Maps
10 = Talas
11 = Talas --> Bishkek
12 = Bishkek
Talas
Downtown and Manas Ordo
This city of about 40,000 people has perfectly straight roads laid out on a rectangle grid. It was first settled in the late 19th century. Before this, the area was the site of a great battle, Battle of Talas, in 751AD. The Arab and Tibetan/Uighur armies teamed up to fight the Tang Chinese forces. The Chinese were defeated marking an end to their expansion into Central Asia. Currently, there's road work being done throughout the city.
Manas Ordo Culture Complex: The park is built around this mausoleum called The Dome of Manas in English. It was built in the 14th century. According to legend, it's the final resting place of Manas, the Kyrgyz national hero and main character of Kyrgyzstan's origin story, the Epic of Manas. However, there is an inscription saying a woman is buried here. It's thought that this was a diversionary tactic to prevent enemies from finding the tomb of Manas and desecrating it. Today, people walk around it counterclockwise while tapping the brick walls as they pray. Of course, this is a place well known to local tourists, but largely unknown and off the beaten path for international tourists.
Bishkek
A Hotel and a Restaurant
Ultimately, this was the last stop of my Central Asian trip. I was only here for one evening, and my flight departed at 9AM the next morning. I did have one last bowl of beshbarmak with horse meat the night before I left. I saw this cool topographical image of the country on a wall while walking to the hotel. It made me think of all the other places I would love to see one day.
