Kyrgyzstan: Karakol

Karakol, the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan, population ~80,000, is really a village by Chinese standards. It is at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the largest salt lakes in the world, at above 5000 feet, the surrounding mountains were still topped with snow at the beginning of May. Due to its salinity, the lake doesn't freeze as Issyk means warm in Kyrgyz.

Like in Zharkent, the majority of the local population is Turkic/Mongolic. We timed our visit with the Sunday livestock market, super authentic. For the first time I realized most of the herds of sheep and cattle I have seen so far I couldn't tell the individuals apart if my life depended on it. Here every animal was very distinct, and there were a lot of them too, way more than people. It was a rather intense experience.

Afterwards we strolled through the outdoor Sunday market closer to town. We realized this is where they sell small animals, separate from bigger livestock. Next came the regular market housed in retired shipping containers - what an ingenious use! And although it was Orthodox Easter Sunday, there was no noticeable activity.

The view of the snow-capped TianShan mountains from downtown Karakol.


Our first day in Karakol we rode the public bus #116 down towards Issyk-Kul Lake, first stopping at a museum dedicated to the life and exploits of the Russian geographer and explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky (1st below) who died in Karakol in 1888 and is buried on site (2nd below) . Third below, a globe with Issyk-Kul Lake at upper-center.






From the hilltop museum we walked down to the shore of the lake. First below is a video of a shepherd and his flock. If the embedded video does not play, click here.












In Karakol, there are several Orthodox churches and a few Muslim mosques. The colorful Dungan Mosque, built in Chinese style, and its minaret are eye-catching.














The Sunday Livestock Market is a 45 minute walk from city center. It's both calm and busy. For the most part (except for the horse market area) the sellers patiently stand around, their animals on rope tethers, waiting for a buyer. Negotiations over price are quiet, and hard for us outsiders to see any "action". But when sales are made, there is much commotion as the new owner leads, carries, pushes or pulls, his purchase(s) to a truck and loads them in. Check out the videos embedded below, or here, here, and here.


















Over at the horse market, both sellers and buyers were riding horses around. Some (1st below) were checking out the ability of the horse for audaryspak, a traditional horseback wrestling sport (first below), where men wrestle while in the saddle. See this youtube video of an actual event.


Also in the horse area, there was a line at the farrier's stall.


There were quite a few cows-with-a-calf for sale. The mother is very attentive to her calf.


We walked back to town where the Sunday Market was well underway. We bought some dried fruit (2nd below).






Across the street was the daily market, with most shops made from retired shipping containers. Second below is a shop selling black salt in all sizes from boulder to grain.












We bought some bread and tasted food from 2 stalls. The lady selling traditional cold noodle soup, Ashlan-Fu, was a master.