Bokonbayevo - A little town near Issyk-Kul lake

 


Bokonbayevo was my first stop after Bishkek, a small town (or big village) near the shore of Issyk-Köl (Issyk-Kul). There isn't much to see in town itself, apart from a Lenin statue and other usual monuments, a tank, and a little mosque, but it is a pleasant place. The neat traditional (Russian style) village houses and the mountains in the background, which were covered in snow on my first night, give Bokonbayevo a beautiful look. The lake is about 6 kms from the centre, too far to walk, but taxis charge a nominal amount and you may catch a marshrutka as well which costs even less. There is a small but quite nice beach, with barren red hills on one side, and the view of snowcovered peaks of high mountain ranges across the lake. It was very quiet at the time of my visit, with the yurts closed, as it was already the end of the season - in mid September winter was already coming. The reason people visit Bokonbayevo is because it's a good base to visit places of interest in the broader area and to get involved in cultural activities, such as felt making, yurt building, or eagle hunting.  





















































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