Karakol

城市概覽

Karakol is at the far end of the Issyk Kul, nestled in the Tian Shan mountains, and is the capital of the Issyk Kul Oblast (region). One of the most visited destinations in Kyrgyztan, it functions as a base for year-round trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and spa opportunities. This town was called Przhevalsk (Пржевалск) during the Tsarist and Soviet eras. It was constructed by Tsarist troops as a military outpost, and it is the resting place of Nikolai Przewalski, the famed Russian explorer and naturalist after whom this town was named. It is a city of traditional Russian houses, and contains one of the few Slavic populations remaining in Central Asia. There are a number of tour companies, hostels and cafes, but most of the action is outside of town.

如何抵達

By bus 1 Long Distance Bus Station (Northern Bus Station / Остановка Автобусов). Serving destination along the northern shore of Issyk Kul, including Cholpon-Ata and Balykchy, but also a few marshrutkas to Bishkek. Note, if you come from the north, do not get off at this remote bus station if the other people remain in the marshrutka. Instead it will often continue into the center. The bus driver is just trying to get off the tourist, which will then be flagged down by overpricing taxi drivers at this station. (updated Mar 2019) 2 South Bus Station. Serves all destinations along the southern shore of Issyk Kul, including Bokonbayev, Balykchy, Kochkor, but also Bishkek. For the current schedules see the timetable in to picture to the right. (updated Mar 2019) 3 Urban Bus Station. All around the Big Bazaar you will find buses serving close by destinations (see bus numbers below), including Jeti-Ögüz village (Жети-Өгүз (Курорт)) (on the southern end of the bazaar), and Ak-Suu village (Ак-Суу (Курорт)) for Altyn Arashan (southeast of the bazaar). (updated Mar 2019) Specific destinations:

Balykchy – Regular buses, 200 som. Cholpon-Ata – All transport between Bishkek and Karakol along the northern shore, goes by it. But there is also the one or other direct marshrutka or shared taxi. Head to the Main/Northern Bus Station. Bishkek – Regular bus, marshrutka and (shared) taxi services leave Bishkek in the morning for the 5–6 hr drive. The bus/marshrutka fare is about 600 som (May 2026). A seat in a shared taxi is 500–600 som (July 2016), but it is fast, 3-4 hr. It seems most routes go along the northern side of the lake. You can also transfer in Balykchy, from where routes go north or south along the lake. Many marshrutkas will make a stopover here. Kazakhstan – Regular buses and (shared) taxis leave for the Kazakh border to Kegen. The Kegen border crossing is open during summer (May–September/October). Kazakh customs seems to be open 07:30-17:00 (May 2024).

By plane 4

當地交通

By bus Local marshrutkas on defined routes cost 10 som within the city. Many leave for or come from nearby villages. Important lines:

101: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula - Lenin street - Kapacaeba - Masaliev Str. down to the entrance of the Karakol Gorge (10 som) 102: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula - Gebze - Salieva 350: Zhamansariev Str. - Toktogula and east to the city of Teploklyuchenka, where the bus passes the entrance to the Altyn Arashan valley (signposted, 20 som, as of summer 2024 is 35 som, first bus 07:15 from Karakol, last bus 17:00 from Exit of Altyn Arashan river) 355: Jeti Ögüz (30-35 som). Line 371/372 to Jeti Oguz village (40 som), then by Taxi to the Seven Bulls Rocks for 10 km, you can walk to the river farther south. It seems first bus 371 at 8 am and last bus from Jeti Oguz at 18:00. At 17:00 there is a line from the Seven Bulls Rocks but taxis and others said no mashrutka but there is south of the mosque cost (100 som)

By taxi Taxis costs between 70 and 80 som, but you shouldn't need one unless you have baggage.

必看景點

1 Dungan Mosque, Abdrakhmanova/Bektenova, ☏ +996 3922 3927. 06:00-21:00. Issyk-kul Central Mosque of Karakol city named after Ibrahim Aji was built by initiative of Ibrahim Aji. He invited the famous Beijing architect Chou Seu and 20 carvers with the skills of traditional Chinese architecture and composition techniques for building the mosque. Construction of the mosque began in 1904 and completed in 1907. An ingenious system allowed builders to build the mosque with no metal reinforcement tools. The mosque holds 42 based pillars. Encircling the building is multi-tiered wooden cornice, decorated with images of plants like grapes, pomegranates, pears and peaches. Besides it the mosque is registered as a historical monument and protected by the law. It’s the only Chinese architecture in Kyrgyzstan. 20 som. (updated Apr 2016)

2 Holy Trinity Church (Orthodox Church), Gagarina/Lenina. 08:00-17:00. In July 1869, when Karakol was a garrison town on the edges of the Tsarist Russian Empire, the first church was built here. The Karakol church, however, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1889, which caused havoc in the town and took several lives. It took six years to complete, and was consecrated in 1895. It has seen considerable service, not just as a church. Over the years, particularly following the Revolution in 1917, it has been used as an educational centre housing a school, ladies’ gymnasium, an institution of higher education, a sports hall, a theater, a dance hall, and as a coal store. Then, in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of Kyrgyzstan, the local authority gave the building back to the church. The paintings and symbols inside the church are different from churches in Europe and interesting. Free. 3 Karakol Regional Museum (Karakol Historical Museum), Gagarin/Jamansariev, ☏ +996 552 669623. Daily 09:00-17:00. The museum is housed in a pretty chocolate-box cottage in central Karakol. It was the pre-revolutionary summer home of

體驗活動

Rent a bike. Local tour companies rent mountain bikes which are good for exploring the area. 500-600 som/day. (updated Nov 2018) 1 Karakol Ski Base (approximately 30 min from Karakol). At 3,040 m, this is the highest ski resort in Central Asia. It has 2 chalets and a hotel with a sauna. There are no chair lifts but several T-bars and rope lifts take you to some of the best runs. There is ski equipment for rent. Lift tickets are 1,200 som. Altyn Arashan Hot Springs. Hot springs within hiking distance from Karakol and conveniently located along the Ala-Kul hiking trail. Hostels, yurts, food (250-300 SOM for lunch/dinner) available. (updated Mar 2019) 2 commercial. 200 som. (updated Nov 2018) 3 free (down towards the river about 1 km from the village towards Karakol). (updated Nov 2018) Air rifle shooting. In a shipping container in the main bazaar you can shoot air rifles for 3 som a pellet. Great if you are with kids. You can also challenge a local kid if you're a dead eye! (updated Nov 2018) Issyk-Kul lake sunset cruise. Can be booked at the Destination Karakol office (near the church, signposted). (updated Aug 2018)

Hiking

Karakol Gorge – Ala-Kul – Altyn A