Ysyk-Köl Oblasty, Kyrgyz Republic

7 places in this region.

1. 

   1. Holy Trinity Cathedral

   In central Karakol sits the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church built in 1895.

2. 

   2. Karakol Animal Bazaar

   Every Sunday morning from 5:00am to 10:00am, people from all over north-eastern Kyrgyzstan flock to Karakol with their livestock to participate in the Karakol Animal Bazaar.

3. 

   3. Altyn Arashan

   Altyn Arashan (Golden Spa in Kyrgyz) is a hot-springs hotel located in a high mountain valley above Karakol.

4. 

   4. Lake Issyk Kul

   If you look at a map of Kyrgyzstan, you cannot miss Lake Issyk Kul, the largest lake in the country, located in its northeastern quadrant.

5. 

   5. Karakoo

   Karakoo (pronounced kara-koh) is a small village of a few thousand, located a few miles from the southern shore of Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk Kul.

6. 

   6. Countryside near Kara-Talaa

   Kyrgyzstan isn’t exactly a great place for finding convenient public toilets.

7. 

   7. The Sacred Spring

   Atop a mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan, between the village of Chong Kemin and the town of Balykchy, lies a sacred spring.