Kyrgyzstan is rugged, mountainous and scenically spectacular; an amazing adventure waiting to happen!
You should definitely visit this beautiful Central Asian country and you should definitely read this list of fun facts about Kyrgyzstan before you go!
First, let’s look at some quick Kyrgyzstan fun facts –
⭐ #1 – As a country, it’s only 31 years old! It gained independence after the Soviet Union fell in 1991.
⭐ #2 – It has the least urban population in the world. Most people live in the countryside.
⭐ #3 – 80% of this landlocked country is mountainous.
⭐ #4 – It’s home to the world’s second biggest high altitude lake, Issyk-Kul.
⭐ #5 – The Silk Road, from Xi’An to Constantinople, passed through Kyrgyzstan.
⭐ #6 – Horses are revered, but also provide food and drink.
Before we get into some other fun facts about Kyrgyzstan, we’ve got answers to some questions you might have about Kyrgyzstan –
→→ Do they speak English in Kyrgyzstan?
Short answer: Yes, there are English speakers in Kyrgyzstan. Longer answer below.
→→ What is Kyrgyzstan known for?
Walnut forests and mountains! It’s a hiking paradise.
→→ Why do people visit Kyrgyzstan?
For the scenic beauty and the trekking.
→→ Is Kyrgyzstan safe for tourists?
Absolutely!
→→ Can you drink tap water in Bishkek?
Yes, it’s potable.
We’ll explore some of these answers in depth below, so keep reading.
Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #7 – Spoken Languages
Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #7 – Spoken Languages
Most people speak Kyrgyz, alongside Russian.
Both languages have huge similarities. For example, the word for cafe in Russian is кафе and in Kyrgyz it is кафеси.
Both languages use the Cyrillic alphabet. However, the Kyrgyz Cyrillic Alphabet has 3 unique characters not found in the 33 character Russian Cyrillic Alphabet.
While speaking Russian will get you through Kyrgyzstan with no problems, it’s also completely possible to travel the country relatively easily with no knowledge of Russian.
Can I Use English in Kyrgyzstan?
Can I Use English in Kyrgyzstan?
You can find English speakers here and there, especially in cafes in big cities like Bishkek or Osh. There are also many Kyrgyz people using Couchsurfing, who speak English well and are eager to meet travellers.
If you can’t find a common language, you can always resort to hand gestures, body movements translation apps, and using props. Kyrgyz people are a patient bunch, so they’re willing to spend time figuring out what you are trying to say.
Kyrgyz English speakers don’t have a strong ‘non-native’ accent when they talk, which means when they do speak English, they are very easy to understand.
I ❤️️ Signs Are All Around – Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #8
I ❤️️ Signs Are All Around – Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #8
Every major city in Kyrgyzstan seems to have an ‘I Love’ sign.
Some cities even have two!
You’re likely to stumble upon them even when you’re not really looking for them.
Many locals love to hang out in front of these signs for crazy amounts of time taking selfies and ignoring everyone around them. Good times.
Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #9 – It’s Okay to Hitchhike!
Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #9 – It’s Okay to Hitchhike!
Hitchhiking is a completely safe and viable way to get around Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz people aren’t afraid of language barriers and will pick you up and chat with you regardless.
You will, of course, be asked the standard questions; “Are you a tourist?”, “Where are you from?”, etc.
Once you answer, don’t be surprised if your new driver tells you their life story and shows you pictures of their family.
People in Kyrgyzstan are Friendly and Approachable – Kyrgyzstan Fun Fact #10
People in Kyrgyzstan are Friendly and Approachable – Kyrgyzstan Fun Fact #10
You’ve probably guessed by now that Kyrgyz people are extremely friendly and approachable. Not to mention infinitely helpful!
If you ask someone in the street for help, they will most certainly assist you. Even if you don’t share a common language, they will find a way. They will likely stay with you until your problem is solved satisfactorily too!
Quirky and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #11 – 3 Som Coins
Quirky and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #11 – 3 Som Coins
Perhaps the quirkiest cash denomination I’ve seen in all my travels is the 3 Som coin.
It is worth approximately US$0.04.
There are no 5 Som coins in Kyrgyzstan.
So when you need 5 Som change, instead of just one coin, you’ll get one 3 Som coin and two 1 Som coins.
Or if they’re out of 10 Som coins, you may get three 3 Som coins with a 1 Som coin.
Water is Potable – Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #12
Water is Potable – Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #12
Out of all the fun facts about Kyrgyzstan listed here, this may well be the most useful!
Don’t believe what you may read on the internet. Many sites claim that the domestic water supply in Kyrgyzstan is not safe to drink, but those sites are mistaken. Locals and tourists alike drink the water with no problems.
Don’t waste your money buying one-time-use bottles of water. Save the environment and bring your own bottle to fill up from the tap. If you’re still a bit worried, you can simply boil your water before you drink it, but that’s really not required.
So if you’ve ever asked, ‘Can you drink tap water in Bishkek?’, the answer is yes, you can drink tap water in Bishkek and other major cities in Kyrgyzstan.
Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #13 – City Transport
Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #13 – City Transport
This may not be one of the most fun facts about Kyrgyzstan, but it’s certainly a useful one!
Transport in Kyrgyz cities is cheap and efficient. Buses cover many major routes in the cities and out to the suburbs for 10 Som/US$0.15. They run at intervals of 5 minutes or less. Bus information for Bishkek can be found here.
Taxis
Taxis
Taxis around the city cost about 100 – 300 Som/US$1.40 – 4.30 depending on the distance travelled.
Yandex taxis are also available in Kyrgyzstan and the cars actually have Yandex Taxi written on the side of them. You can use the Yandex Taxi Hailing app to order a taxi if you have data/WiFi access and a phone number that can receive messages in Kyrgyzstan.
If you don’t have internet access, you can hail an unofficial taxi by standing on the side of the road. This should cost the same as an official taxi.
Mashrutkas
Mashrutkas
Minivans that work in a similar way to shared taxis, known as Mashrutkas, are available for travel within cities, but the system is very hard to navigate unless you have a local with you, or you can read/speak Kyrgyz or Russian.
There are many numbered Mashrutka routes that cost around 20 Som/$US0.30.
#14 Intercity Transport – Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan
#14 Intercity Transport – Useful and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan
Marshrutkas are the main form of intercity transport. They operate out of bus stations in the cities and drop off on the side of the road in small towns. You can buy a spot in the van directly from the driver, although there does appear to be a ticket desk at the Western Bus Station.
Marshrutkas leave when all their seats are filled. A Mashrutka from the Western Bus Station in Bishkek to the small town of Kadji-Sai near Issyk-Kul costs 300 Som/US$4.30 and takes around 3-4 hours.
Meat is King – Fun Facts about Kyrgyzstan #15
Meat is King – Fun Facts about Kyrgyzstan #15
If you’re a meat lover, Kyrgyzstan is the place for you!
Meat is the main feature of most menus in the country, with popular dishes being Shishlyk (barbequed meat on skewers), kebabs, and doners.
The main meats used in these dishes are beef, lamb, and chicken. Horse meat is also a popular dish in the area, given that other foods were often scarce in Kyrgyz nomadic history.
It might be hard to find vegan food in Kyrgyzstan unless you want to spend your whole time there eating mushroom Shishlyk. Even salads in Kyrgyzstan can have meat, so it always pays to check what’s in the food you’re ordering!
Quirky and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #16 – People Love Drinking Horse Milk
Quirky and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #16 – People Love Drinking Horse Milk
One of the quirkiest fun facts about Kyrgyzstan is that everyone loves horse milk!
Horse milk is a popular drink in Kyrgyzstan, probably owing to its nomadic history. These days, it is often sold from containers on the side of the road. There are different types of horse milk with different levels of sourness.
Yes, you read that correctly. Different levels of sourness. It’s quite unlike any other milk you’ve ever tasted.
They also have a fermented alcoholic version of horse milk called Kumis.
If you want a super local experience, you could stop at a yurt on the Silk Road and sit down for some horse milk and bread with a local family. Even if the horse milk is not to your taste, meeting locals is always nice!
Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #17 – Interesting Choice of Music
Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #17 – Interesting Choice of Music
Whenever you go to a cafe or restaurant, you’re almost guaranteed to only hear 80s or 90s English language music. Normally, the songs playing are remixed into more mellow versions of the originals. You can actually be listening to a song for a few minutes before realising that it’s a song you know.
When you’re in a car, however, locals are likely to not be listening to any music, so that they can chat with you. Or they play Kyrgyz music at a decent sound level and just talk loudly over it.
Carnivals – Interesting and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #18
Carnivals – Interesting and Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #18
One of the really fun facts about Kyrgyzstan is that people there enjoy carnival-like atmospheres. This can range from the hiring of motorised toy cars and selling of light-up souvenirs in a park, to permanent rides, carnival games, and stalls set up in a reserve near a river.
So they pretty much turn regular public spaces into carnival-like spaces. You gotta love people that just wanna have fun.
Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #19 – Bustling Bazaars
Kyrgyzstan Fun Facts #19 – Bustling Bazaars
In the major Kyrgyz cities, when you ask a local what the must-see places are, the first thing they will suggest is the local bazaar.
The bazaars are seen as the one-stop place for everything you could ever want, and some things you didn’t know you wanted.
The Osh Bazaar in Bishkek is huge and slightly confusing, but if you keep at it, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
The Jayma Bazaar in Osh is a little bit smaller and easy to navigate. I was able to find what I was looking for within 2 minutes.
On The Roads – Not so Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #20
On The Roads – Not so Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan #20
While the majority of cars in Kyrgyzstan are left-hand drive, there are also a decent number of right-hand drive cars. Perhaps people drive the latter for financial reasons, as they are much cheaper to buy than their left-hand drive counterparts.
Whether they’re on the left or right-hand side of the car, Kyrgyz drivers can get pretty crazy. Lane markings are completely ignored at all times and overtaking on the most dangerous parts of bends on mountain roads is commonplace.
Pedestrians Beware
Pedestrians Beware
Pedestrians can’t escape the craziness either. While legally, cars should give way to pedestrians at traffic lights and designated pedestrian crossings, that’s not always what happens in practice.
At traffic lights, turning cars will drive towards you, but will stop to let you cross. Although they may keep inching towards you slowly in a not-so-subtle attempt to get you to hurry up.
At pedestrian crossings, it’s anyone’s guess what cars will do. Most drive too fast to be able to stop for the crossing, while others do the right thing and stop. There is no simple way to cross a road in Kyrgyzstan and pedestrians need to constantly check for cars doing the wrong thing as they’re crossing.
Okay, perhaps this isn’t one of the most fun facts about Kyrgyzstan, but it’s an important thing to know nevertheless!
Quick Recap of Some of the More Important Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan
Quick Recap of Some of the More Important Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan
⭐ Do they speak English in Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, you can find people in Kyrgyzstan that speak English in the major cities.
⭐ Why do people visit Kyrgyzstan?
It’s scenic beauty and hospitality.
⭐ Is Kyrgyzstan safe for tourists?
Yup, absolutely. The friendly and approachable locals won’t hesitate to help you. Beware of crazy drivers on the roads though!
⭐ Is it okay to hitchhike in Kyrgyzstan?
Hitchhiking is a viable way of getting around Kyrgyzstan.
⭐ Can you drink tap water in Bishkek?
Water in major Kyrgyz cities is potable, so you can drink tap water in Bishkek.
⭐ What are popular foods and drinks in Kyrgyzstan?
Shishlyk (meat on skewers) and horse milk.
Why Should You Visit Kyrgyzstan?
Why Should You Visit Kyrgyzstan?
Aside from its natural beauty, Kyrgyzstan is full of beautifully warm and friendly people that will try to help you in any way that they can. If you haven’t thought of visiting yet, you should put it on your list right now!
Keep these fun facts about Kyrgyzstan in mind when you do visit!
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan Summary 🇰🇬
In a few words – Mountains, meat and horse milk
Language – Kyrgyz and Russian
Currency – Kyrgyz Som
WiFi availability – 📶📶📶📶📶
WiFi is pretty easy to find in the major cities.
Transport – 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗
🚍 Clean and efficient, if not slightly crowded buses are available for inner city routes.
🚕 Shared taxis are available for inner city and inter-city routes.
🚐 Mashrutkas are the main form of transport for inter-city routes. They’re also great for getting around in the city but the zone system is complicated if you don’t read Cyrillic.
Roads – 🛣🛣🛣🛣🛣
Roads appear to be sealed and relatively well maintained all over Kyrgyzstan. Those mountain roads are thin and windy though.
Scenery – 🌲⛰️🏖️🏞️🏝
Mountains, lakes, mountains, forests, mountains. Did I mention mountains?
Prices – 💰💰
Kyrgyzstan is great for budget travellers!
Border efficiency – 🛂🛂🛂🛂🛂
Entering and leaving Kyrgyzstan was a breeze.
Overall – 👍👍👍👍👍
You can read about adventures in Kyrgyzstan here, here, and here.
You can read about adventures in Kyrgyzstan here, here, and here.
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22 Replies to “20 Fun Facts About Kyrgyzstan”
“They will likely stay with you until your problem is solved satisfactorily.” This always fascinates me, especially because I’m from Singapore!
I’ve never really had to stop and ask someone for help in Singapore, because it’s so easy to find stuff there!
Awesome content! So entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! I’m glad you like it.
I definitely want to go to Kyrgystan after reading this.
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Thanks for your comment. I hope you have a great time there!