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Bishkek
Capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek

Bishkek, formerly known as Pishpek, and then Frunze (1926–1991), is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan, and the capital of the Chüy Region.

Plan a trip to Bishkek→From Tamchy

It is situated near the border with Kazakhstan and has a population of around 1,200,000 people as of 2024.

Get in

Getting to Bishkek

  1. 01
    Bishkek Manas International Airport
  2. 02
    USD)

    To pay for the ride, a Visa or MasterCard can be used.

  3. 03
    Bishkek-1
  4. 04
    Bishkek-2
See

Worth seeing

Bishkek is a pleasant city to wander with numerous leafy parks, tall trees, peppered by Soviet era statues and monuments. However there isn't a great deal to see beyond this, and the city can comfortably be 'done' in a day (or two if visiting the suburban markets). Most museums are closed on Mondays.

  1. 01
    Ala-Too Square

    The main city square is a vast expanse of concrete that ceased to be called Lenin square in 1991, and is the site of frequent political demonstrations and regular festivals.

  2. 02
    National Historical Museum

    Three floors: the bottom floor covers prehistoric times to the beginning of the 20th century, and the second displays events of the Communist era.

  3. 03
    M V Frunze Museum

    Frunze (NE of Parliament, look for cottage enclosed in concrete building)).

  4. 04
    Russian Orthodox Cathedral
  5. 05
    Fine Arts Museum "Gapar Aitiev"

    196 Yusup Abdrahmanov (opposite Opera House),.

  6. 06
    Victory Square

    A large square with monument and eternal flame to commemorate the victory against Nazi Germany in WWII.

Do

Things to do

  1. 01
    Panfilov Park

    While this park may be in need upkeep and renovation, it's a great look into the past when Kyrgyzstan was a part of the Soviet Union.

  2. 02
    Zhirgal Banya
Eat

Where to eat

Bishkek is probably the best choice for food in Kyrgyzstan. From typical Kyrgyz food like Besh barmak or central Asia classics as Plov, Shashlyk or Samsas can be found around the city. Also Russian dishes are fairly ubiquitous in Bishkek because of the large number of ethnic Russians who still live in the city.

  1. 01
    Buffet

    The buffet is an ordinary place for public meals with wide menu of different dishes and desserts.

  2. 02
    Grenki

    Toktogul St.

  3. 03
    Oasis Azian Doner and Kabab

    122 Isanov St.

  4. 04
    Cafe Faiza

    Jibek Jolu (Жибек Жолу 555) (a block west of Manas).

  5. 05
    Dolce Vita Pizza

    Possibly the best pizza in Bishkek, with thin crust is baked in an open-fire oven; there is also a whole range of other Italian dishes and pastas.

How locals move

Getting around Bishkek the local way

  • Get inCash is not accepted Marshrutka 380 runs downtown.
  • Get inTo & from Kazakhstan, the airport is so close to the border that you're better taking a taxi between airport and border post where you can pick up a marshrutka, e.g.
  • Get in{{go | name | url | address 42.8710269 | long | phone | hours | wikipedia | lastedit=2018-10-03 | content=Marshrutka 265 runs from/to here.
  • Get aroundCheckout the 2GIS app and website, which is great for finding the right marshrutka or bus number in Bishkek and all over Kyrgyzstan.
  • Get aroundKyrgyzstan's capital, like many places in the former Soviet Union, has an extensive network of minibuses, known as Marshrutkas.
  • Get aroundThere are hundreds of mini-buses (marshrutkas) that ply all parts of the city.
  • Get aroundMarshrutkas are easily identifiable and display their number and basic route information (in Russian) on the front.
  • Get aroundAccording to the law marshrutkas should stop at bus stops only, but this is only respected if the driver sees a police car.

From Wikivoyage: Bishkek, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.