At a place below the mountain... Bishkek

Sightseeing around Bishkek, capital city of Kyrgyzstan. 

Osh Bazaar

First stop is Osh Bazaar, a nice place to have a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. Even though it is almost noon time when we arrived at the bazaar, it was still packed with locals going about their day.

Osh Bazaar is the largest and busiest bazaar in Bishkek

Fresh vegetables and fruits



A variety of nuts and dried fruits



A selection of rice and grains



The Kyrgyz staple, kurut or dried cheese balls.



Ready to eat meals



Cakes and cookies

Mum is eyeing the cupcakes...

Pets anyone? or a broom perhaps...

 

Kyrgyz men wearing the Ak Kalpak, the traditional Kyrgyz hat and a national cultural symbol.



You can find almost everything you need at this market.



Strawberries and raspberries by the bucket load

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Manas Statue

Statue of Manas in front of the Philharmonic Hall



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Ala Too Square

Bishkek's main square.  

The building at the back is the state history museum.



In front is the statue of Manas and the official flagpole of Kyrgyzstan guarded by two guards. The changing of the guards happens every hour.



Chingiz Aitmatov Monument at the back of the square on the opposite side of the road.

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Oak Park

This large park, located next to Ala Too Square, is one of the oldest in Bishkek. So named because of the oak trees planted here, some are as old as the city itself. It is a nice place to hang out and get out of the hot sun with countless stone sculptures to look at.

 

 

 

Red Guard Monument at the edge of Oak Park in memory of those who died defeating the 1918 uprising.

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Victory Square

Monument dedicate to the soldiers who participated in the World War II. The three arches takes the shape of a yurt. Under it is an eternal flame with the statue of a woman... waiting for the husband or son who never returned home...

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Panfilov Park

A park for kids with amusement park rides and a fountain in the middle.



Monument to General Panfilov at the edge of Panfilov Park

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Ala Archa National Park

We also had a quick look around Ala Archa National Park in the morning. The national park is located 40km south of Bishkek. There are a few hiking trails that goes to a waterfall and also the glacier. We did not hike today.. seemed like a long hike to get to the waterfall and glacier.. so we spent some time to look at the scenery instead.

The Tien Shan mountain range in the background, the mountain ranges we have been driving through for the past few days.

Ala Archa river

Park entrance.