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The territory of Kyrgyzstan as well as the entire Central Asia is regarded as one of the most ancient centres of human civilization. Archaeological studies proved the primitive human (homo habilis) was mastering this region as long time back as in Stone Age. Ancient Kyrgyz people – the ethnos known in the Central Asia since first millennium BC - have carried their ethnic self-name on through millenniums to our days.

First state formations had appeared on the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan in the second century BC when agricultural regions of the South Kyrgyzstan had been made part of the ancient state of Parkana.

In the 4-3cc BC, ancient Kyrgyz tribes were part of a powerful nomadic tribal union (Huns) seriously threatening China. It was then when construction of the Great Wall of China started. In the 2-1cc BC, some part of the Kyrgyz tribes, escaping the authority of Huns (Hunnu), moved on to the banks of the Yenisey river in Siberia ("Ene-say" in Kyrgyz language means "Mother-river") and the Baikal lake ("Bay-kel" in Kyrgyz means "Rich-lake"). It was at that area where Kyrgyz had obtained their first ever statehood - the Kyrgyz Khanate, which then became a centre of consolidation and cultural development of Kyrgyz people. It was at that time when Kyrgyz’s first ever written language, based on runic script, had been created and been preserved to our days in the ancient stony monuments.

Later the Kyrgyz state had fallen under the blows of foreign conquerors that brought about loss of the Kyrgyz written language but did not affect memory of the nation. Unprecedented by its scale, the ancient epic poem "Manas" is a real authentic encyclopaedia incorporating events of history of Kyrgyz, priceless information on Kyrgyz society and public life as well as old-time traditions, customs and way of life of Kyrgyz people.

In the 5thc AD, nomadic tribes of the Northern Kyrgyzstan began transiting to sedentary lifestyle. First written sources witnessing to the fact that Tian Shan was inhabited by Kyrgyz tribes belong to the 10th c. AD. Well known are scenic Antiquity-time petrogliphs of Saymaly-Tash. The unique stone drawings speak to the high level of civilization and culture of Kyrgyz of that time. Hitherto, notorious Burana Tower and unique Uzgen architectural complex catch imagination of a traveller to witness high skills of medieval architects and builders.

From the middle of the … century to the beginning of the 10th c. AD territory of the Great Kyrgyz Khanate was including regions of South Siberia, Mongolia, Baikal, upper reaches of Irtysh river, part of Kashgar, Issyk-Kul lake area and Talas river valley. The period of blooming of the Kyrgyz state was marked not only by conquests but also by intensive international trade with Chinese, Tibetans, peoples of the South Siberia and Central Asia. It was then when Kyrgyz, having gained a victory over the Uyghur Khanate, have for the first time entered to the territory of Tian Shan. However, in the 10th c AD remaining under the Kyrgyz control were only South Siberia, Altai and South-West Mongolia.

In the 11th-12th cc AD, the Kyrgyz lands grew shorter to include only Altai and Sayan mountains. At the same time, scattered over enormous territory, Kyrgyz tribes took active part in multiple events that enriched history of the Central Asia. Kyrgyz not only were able to preserve their ethnic identity but also to play a role of a centre of attraction to other ethnic groups.

The final stage of the Kyrgyz ethnogeny is connected with Mongolian, Oyrat (Kalmak), Nayman and other Central Asian peoples. From 13thc AD, Kyrgyz had to wage bloody wars for independence from different conquerors. In the second half of the 15th c., on the territory of the present-day Kyrgyzstan, as a result of unification of Kyrgyz tribes, for the first time independent Kyrgyz Khanate was formed to include in its confines majority of the Kyrgyz tribes. Thus Kyrgyz nation has formed.

Big importance Kyrgyzstan played on the Great Silk Road. The city of Osh - a main city of the south of the modern Kyrgyzstan - for many millenniums, because of its favourable geographical location, was a transit city of the Fergana branch of the Great Silk Road. Inhabitants of Osh serviced travellers and merchants and their caravans. As a suitable place for trading and exchanging goods, Osh also attracted traders, craftsmen, cattle-breeders and tiller.

In 1863, Northern Kyrgyzstan has become part of Russian empire, and in 1876 same happened to the Southern Kyrgyzstan. After the victory of the Bolshevik’s October revolution of 1917, Kyrgyz people as all other people of the former tsarist Russia has become part of the Soviet Republic.

In 1918, Soviet power was established on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan made part of the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR). However, Kyrgyzstan has obtained its own statehood only six years later when, in Moscow, the 2nd session of the VTSIK (Central All-Soviet Executive Committee) on 14th October 1924 has approved of the Resolution issued by TSIK (Central Executive Committee) of the Turkestan ASSR “On national delimitation of Soviet republics of Central Asia” and the Kara-Kyrgyz (since 25th May 1925 - Kyrgyz) Autonomous Province as part of the Russian Soviet Federation (RSFSR) was constituted to be then, on 1st February 1926, reorganised to Kyrgyz ASSR and, on 5th December 1936, - to Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic.

Their national independence and national sovereignty Kyrgyz people have achieved, in a peaceful way, after disintegration of the Soviet Union. In October 1990, at a session of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic a decision has been taken as to rename the Kyrgyz SSR to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. On 15th December 15, 1990 the Supreme Soviet has passed “Declaration on Sovereignty of the Kyrgyz Republic” and on 31st August, 1991 – “Declaration of Independence of Kyrgyzstan”. Thus, the day of 31st August in Kyrgyzstan has become and is celebrated as Independence Day.

5th May 1993, first Constitution of independent Kyrgyz Republic was passed. 10th May 1993 Kyrgyzstan has introduced its own national currency - Som.

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Kyrgyzstan is situated in Central Asia , its neighbouring countries are Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tadjikistan to the south and China to its East and South-East. The former Republic of the Soviet Union became independent in the year 1991 and since then is a democratic Presidential Republic. Bishkek, formerly called Frunze , is the capital with about 1 million inhabitants, the country as a whole has about 5 million inhabitants and an area of 198.500 km². Kyrgyzstan Travel - People

As a result of its varied and turbulent history, the country throughout the centuries became a real melting pot of nationalities: The ethnic group of the Kyrgyz, traditionally nomads that still nowadays often live as half-nomads (see also "Kyrgyz people and their traditions"), makes up only a bit more than 50% of the population. The two other important ethnic groups are Russians and Uzbeks, both with about 15 % of the population. The Russians came into the region during the 19 th century, and especially the capital Bishkek, only 125 years old, is heavily influenced by the Russian way of life and Soviet architecture. Because of this people, also the second-biggest religious group in the mostly muslim country (80%) are Russian-orthodox. The Uzbek people lives to its biggest part in the south of the country, close to the border to Uzbekistan . This part of the country is also much more influenced by muslim traditions than the rest.

Other people out of those more than 80 nationalities and ethnic groups living in Kyrgyzstan are European ones like Germans or Ukrains, muslim chinese people like Dungans and Uighurs, as well as Tatars.

Although there are so many different people living in the region, whose lifestyle and traditions sometimes differ a lot, they all have one thing in common: The typical Central Asian hospitality, that can in no way be compared with the way guests are greeted in the western world: Never you will come across a yurt without being invited for a cup of the national drink Kymyz and a snack, never you will be invited into the house of locals without facing a table, completely full of delicacies already before the main dish is served. Nontheless, gastronomy is only one way where hospitality is shown: The warmth and openness of the people can be felt already when you first get acquainted, and at the second meeting you're very often already considered as a family member!

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 1 million, is situated in the north part of the country (Chui-Region). Especially the centre is heavily influenced by the Soviets, and you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonia – concert hall, government building, Historic Museum, Monument for the Great War of the Native Country) but also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence, as well as many statues of Akyns, Manas’chi and local governors of different periods).

Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Issyk Kul is Kyrgyzstan's largest Lake and at about 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point, (the average depth is about 300 meters ), it is the world's second largest mountain lake – and the fifth deepest lake in the world. The lake has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz – it is known as the “pearl of the Tien Shan ” – and in 2004, the government declared the lake as the “property of the nation”. One source even suggests that, at one time, it was even forbidden to swim in the lake.

Kyrgyzstan Visa General Requirements

All foreign nationals, except nationals of the following countries, are required to have business or tourist visas to enter the Republic of Kyrgyzstan:

1. Azerbaijan Republic, 2. Republic of Armenia, 3. Republic of Byelorussia, 4. Georgia, 5. Republic of Kazakhstan, 6. Korean Democratic People`s Republic, 7. Republic of Cuba, 8. Malaysia (with official and tourist purpose up to one month), 9. Republic of Moldova, 10. Mongolia (up to three months), 11. Russian Federation, 12. Socialistic Republic of Vietnam, 13. Republic of Tajikistan, 14. Turkish Republic (up to one month), 15. Ukraine, 16. Uzbekistan and 17. Japan.

In general, invitation letter from a registered tour operator is required to obtain the tourist entry Kyrgyzstan visa. Nationals holding all types of passports of the following countries may obtain Kyrgyz Visas in the overseas missions and consular offices within the Republic on their personal request for the period up to one month, and are exempted from registration with the law enforcement agencies:

(1) Australia; (2) Austrian Republic; (3) Kingdom of Belgium; (4) Bulgaria; (5) Bosnia and Herzegovina; (6) Hungary; (7)Great Britain; (8) Federative Republic of Germany; (9) Greek Republic; (10) Kingdom of Denmark; (11) State of Israel; (12) Ireland Republic; (13) Republic of Iceland; (14) Kingdom of Spain; (15) Italian Republic; (16) Lithuania; (17) Latvia; (18) Canada; (19) Republic of Cyprus; (20) Republic of Korea; (21) Duchy of Liechtenstein; (22) Great Duchy of Luxembourg; (23) Republic of Malta; (24) Duchy of Monaco; (25) Macedonia; (26) Kingdom of Netherlands; (27) Kingdom of Norway; (28) New Zealand; (29) Portugal Republic; (30) Poland; (31) Romania; (32) United States of America; (33) Serbia; (34) Slovenia; (35) Singapore; (36) Slovakia; (37) Turkey; (38) Finland Republic; (39) French Republic; (40) Croatia; (41) Swiss Confederation; (42) Kingdom of Sweden; (43) Montenegro; (44) Czech Republic; (45) Estonia.

These nationalities can also obtain a visa on arrival at Bishkek's Manas international airport.

Upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan ensure that your passport is stamped to show the date you entered the country. You may encounter probles when leaving the country if you have entered the country by the trekking routes from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan bypassing staffed border crossings.

Where to apply for Kyrgyzstan Visa?

You can apply for the Kyrgyzstan visa where Kyrgyzstan Embassy or Consulate exist.

Nationalities that do not need letter of invitation can also obtain a visa on arrival at Bishkek's Manas international airport.

Application requirements for Kyrgyzstan Visa:

1. Visa support, if required

2. Valid passport;

3. Completed application form;

4. 1 passport-size photo;

5. Fee, payable on collection of visa

Visa Requirements in other Central Asian Countries

Kazakhstan Visa, Uzbekistan Visa, Turkmenistan Visa