Paro Rinpung Dzong was built in the mid 17th century to protect against invasion by Tibet. Dzongs originally served three purposes: fortress, local administrative center, and monastery.
No, it’s not like Tokyo. And yes, it’s actually a shopping mall.
The Kyrgyz city of Naryn is located in a valley, and is surrounded by easily accessible hills, foothills and mountains - an excellent place for either a liesurely stroll or a strenuous hike.
The small village of Kochkor is located on the main road between Lake Issyk-Kul and the city of Naryn. It's a great place to relax for a weekend if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Just north of the village of Kochkor lie freshwater springs which flow into the Chuy River. A five minute walk will lead you into this relaxing paradise, spotted with sheep, cows and horses.
Turpan is a city in the North-West of China, along the silk-route.
One of the better hotels in town is Hotel Turpan. Ideally for business meetings but also good to get a room.
In recent years, Saudi Arabian benefactors have paid for the construction of mosques throughout the country of Kyrgyzstan. Most are nothing architecturally special.
Turpan lays in the province Xinjiang, the biggest province of China. Fifty procent of the population is Uyghur, a Muslim society with people who seem to have a mix of Turkish, Chinese and Russian blood in them.
The Uygher frequent a game of snooker.
The ruined citadel of Koshoy Korgon, is located just outside of the village of Kara-Suu. Not much is known about this fortress (at least according to my guidebooks, anyway) but it dates from roughly the 10th century, and was probably Karakhanid.
The tiny village of Kara-Suu is located just outside the somewhat larger village of Kochkor, just off the main road connecting Naryn with Lake Issyk-Kol. While there are not many ammenities to be found in this tiny place, the scenery is spectacular, and it is a great place to begina horse-trek.