Kyrgyzstan

The most Westerly of the Central Asian states, Kyrgyzstan is a largely mountainous country. Ethnically close (or even identical to) the Kazakhs, their culture however is defined by the mountains, rather than the steppe as it is in Kazakhstan. The Russian influence was strong here, but unusually for the Central Asian states, it was that country’s natural beauty rather than its mineral wealth which attracted outsiders. Indeed, Kyrgyzstan is probably the most beautiful country I have seen with soaring snow covered peaks an ever present backdrop to lush pastures (known as jailoos), calm lakes and fast-flowing rivers.

In Karakol, Russian Cathedrals and Dungan Mosques can be found close to the Chinese border, but the town’s main event is the Sunday livestock bazaar with traders bringing their produce to market after fattening them in the surrounding jailoos, all the time partaking in that most Russian of drinks, vodka. Karakol sits at the East end of Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world, which generates a micro-climate in the area, warming the region. The Russian’s noted this and the area around Issyk-Kul (which means ‘warm lake’) has many resorts and sanatoriums from Soviet times. Yuri Gagarin rested after his trip to space in the Jeti-Oguz Sanatorium.

The mountains around this area are spotted with yurts, felt, semi-permanent tents traditionally used by the Kyrgyz that can be built or taken down in half a day. Warm and (normally) dry these can be found all over Kyrgyzstan but are concentrated in areas such as Lake Song-Kol where unbroken grazing land meets a permanent fresh water source and sheep and horses can be bred.

Although without many of the man-made sights found elsewhere in Central Asia, the Silk Road passed through Kyrgyzstan on its way to China, as the remote but fascinating caravanserai 3,530m above sea level at Tash Rabat proves.

These photographs were taken in August and September 2010.