Bishkek Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
capital of Kyrgyzstan
About Bishkek
Bishkek was founded when the Uzbek khan of Kokand built a small clay fort by a settlement on a tributary of the Chuy River in 1825, to connect up several stop-off points on theSilk Roadthrough theTian Shanmountains. In 1862 it was captured and trashed by Russians, before they set up their own garrison. Russian peasants were soon lured here by land grants and the fertile soil of the Chuy Valley. The renamed town of Frunze became capital of the new Kyrgyz ASSR in 1926, but it was renamed Bishkek (the Kyrgyz form of its old Kazakh name, Pishpek) in 1991. Bishkek has a temperate continental climate. The city is drab and grey in the winter, and smog is a major issue. Summer is often hot and clear, while spring and autumn are rainier. While Bishkek can be enjoyed at any time of the year with the
Top Attractions in Bishkek
Explore the best things to see and do in Bishkek:
- ★Ala-Too Square
- ★Fine Arts Museum "Gapar Aitiev"
- ★Karven Club
- ★M V Frunze Museum
- ★National Historical Museum
- ★Panfilov Park
- ★Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- ★Victory Square
Where to Eat in Bishkek
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Buffet
- 🍴Cafe Faiza
- 🍴Cyclone
- 🍴Dolce Vita Pizza
- 🍴DuЭт
- 🍴Grenki
Where to Stay in Bishkek
- 🏨Alpinist
- 🏨Apple Hostel
- 🏨Asia Mountains
- 🏨Crocus Guest House
- 🏨Dostuk Hotel Bishkek
- 🏨Futuro Hotel Bishkek
Bishkek Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 15 sections including: