no picture on Wikidata:  | ||
| Bishkek | ||
| Country | Kyrgyzstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 1.027.200 (2019) | |
| height | 750 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and the economic and cultural center of the country. The approx. 800 m high city in the northwest of the country in the Tschüi valley at the foot of the zum Tien Shan Mountains belonging to the Kyrgyz Alatau, looks back on a long history as a trading post and caravanserai on the Silk Road.
background
The place was called Frunze in Soviet times.
getting there
By plane
Bishkek is the central hub for air traffic in Kyrgyzstan. At a distance of 23 km northwest of the city lies the 1 Manas Airport
(IATA: FRU) which formerly also housed a US air force base. Bishkek is served by Turkish and Russian airlines with one or two changes from most of the major airports in Germany.
There are ATMs in the exit area of the airport.
A taxi to and from the city costs around 500 som, with negotiations often starting at 1000 som. In the night, the prices are generally a bit higher, as most of the flights go there and there are no marshrutka to compete.
The Marschrutka 380 connects the airport with the city approx. Every 10-20 minutes. The price from the airport to 1 Osh bazaar are (as of August 2016) 50 Som, up to only 1 km away 2 Western bus station it's 100 som. The marshrutkas park directly at the exit of the terminal.
By train
There is a train connection to Lugovoy in Kazakhstan, and from there to either Tashkent or after Moscow (2 trains per week, these cross Uzbek territory for which a visa may be required.).
By bus
There are regular bus connections to Almaty (from the western bus station; 400-700 Som) and to Issyk-Kul-Lake. There are no more buses to Osh, due to the not harmless mountain route via Toktul, only shared taxis (negotiable 1000-1500 S, also depending on vehicle quality and occupancy). Because of the grandiose landscape, you should set off in the morning (a good 8 hours to Osh) and look out for winter-friendly carpooling during the cold season.
Long-distance buses and marshutkas run both from the older eastern bus station, which mainly serves the region, and from the more important, newer western bus station. Some regional Marshutkas run directly from Dordoi-Bazar towards the border crossings of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
To Moscow There is a direct bus (Info-Tel .: 0771 399995), which is priced at 11900 S., about the same class as a cheap flight.
language
Almost every inhabitant of Bishkek understands Russian, there is also a large Russian minority. Otherwise, knowledge of Kyrgyz is also useful.
mobility
The city center can be seen between Osh bazaar and 1 Department store Zum along the dead straight Chui and Kiew-Pr., explore quite well on foot. The important north-south axis Abdrahmanov St. is not known by this new name, one still speaks of the Sovietskaya. At the inner-city bus shelters there are large network plans in Cyrillic on the back wall. Since mobile internet is extremely cheap, the site is recommended http://bus.kg/ to use to find the best Mashrutka / bus number,
A few newspaper kiosks have Cyrillic city maps (140 pages) and one Atlas Bishkek (450 p.)
There are Trolleybus routes, these run until around 10 p.m. and normal buses, which, however, run relatively irregularly. Get in at the rear door, you pay when you get out at the front. A trip costs 8-10 soms, a little more at night. Network maps are posted on most buses. In 2014, new vehicles began to be purchased. The trolleybuses are rarely overcrowded.
Marshrutkas (Minibuses) run anytime and anywhere during the day, but are extremely overcrowded at rush hour. The trip costs 10 som, after 9 p.m. 12 som.
A taxi within the city center should not cost more than 100 som (120 som after 10 p.m.; as of 2011), but the price for foreigners is still a matter of negotiation. However, numerous private car owners also hire themselves as taxis. There are some radio taxi companies, a few years ago they started to introduce taximeters (basic price 70 Som during the day, 90 Som at night for 3 km, 10 Som every additional kilometer: Taxis to the airport should never cost more than 450 S., no matter what time of the night .
- Alpha (Альфа) ☎ 65 77 77
- Econom / Эконом, ☎ 90 60 60
Tourist Attractions
The center of the city forms the Ala-too-Place, on which since 2011 a monument to the legendary national hero Manas the "Statue of Liberty" (Erkindik) from 1999. Lenin, who has been standing behind the state museum since 2003, was transferred for this. The flag in front of the seat of parliament, the "white house" is ceremonially hoisted in the morning.
The State Museum of History (formerly the Lenin Museum), also still classically Soviet, with no foreign language explanations, it is located between the Ala-tooSquare and parliament building. Entry 150 som, photo permit 150 extra. 10.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m., closed on Mondays. The first floor is still dedicated to the great man in the style of socialist realism. On the 2nd floor there is an exhibition on Kyrgyz history. Already as an architectural monstrosity of the 1970s, with also very socialist-realistic ceiling paintings from the inside well worth seeing. On the forecourt under the gigantic flagpole, a changing of the guard takes place shortly before every full hour with the finest goose-step, which the Bundeswehr has not mastered for a long time.
Behind it is the Panfilov-Stadtpark (formerly "Red Star Park"), with typical Soviet Dult operation. It is bounded in the north by Frunze-Ave., In the west it is SpartakStadion.
The Mikhail-Frunze-Museum, 364 ul. Frunze, northeast of the parliament building, pays tribute to the city's most important son, whose name it bore from 1926-93 (Tues-Sun 9 am-5pm; 50 Som). Not far away is the sculpture park, which opened in 1984 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Kyrgyz SSSR.
A zoological museum is located at the corner of Kalikyadev and Ryskulov St. in the west of the city center.
In front of the Philharmonic (210 Chui Ave.), which offers comparatively low admission prices (normal performance 80-200 Som; events usually start at 6.30 p.m., box office closes at 6.00 p.m.), there is another Manas memorial.
activities
shop
Shop opening times: 10:00 am to 6:30 pm/7:00pm, Sundays until 3:00 pm/5:00pm. Banks: 9: 00/10: 00-17: 00, Saturdays 10: 00-15: 00, individual branches 8: 00-21: 00.
- The Osh bazaar west of the city center is the largest and most colorful bazaar. In the Chuy Street there are many shops, and a couple of large shopping centers, e.g. the Beta stores and the TO THE (or Tschum). The latter, a six-storey shopping center full of small shops on the ground floor and basement, is dominated by cell phone (accessory) shops, above it clothing, photo and, on the top floor, tourist kit shops, which, in contrast to such shops in other parts of the city, charge two to three times higher prices.
Pay attention to the safety warnings below in the area.
- Dordoi Bazar (Дордой Базары; 42 ° 56′00 ″ N, 74 ° 37′15 ″ E), large market founded in 1992 in the northeast of the city. The “shops” are mostly overseas containers, the “working language” is primarily Russian. Many customers are small intermediaries from Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. Goods groups are separated according to different areas, a large part of the offer is cheap junk, imported from China or Turkey.
Can be reached using Marshrut (numerous lines) from the northeast corner of the Chui / Sovietskaya intersection (opposite the main post office, near To the). A stand there is also the departure point for shared taxis to Kazakhstan.
For groceries, supermarkets are significantly more expensive than the bazaars. Turkish operator chains (Beta,plus) usually do not have alcohol. Milk and milk products as well as coffee beans (cup 80-100 som) are comparatively expensive with prices as in Central Europe.
to eat out
Because of the high prices, real coffee beans are rare - and then often only available in trendy cafés. A cup costs to take away Americano or espresso 70-90 p., With service from 100 (service charge, mostly 15%).
- Shymkar, Chuy / Manas Prospect intersection; diagonally across from the Philharmonie. Shymkar certainly doesn't attract attention for its creative use of spices; the self-service cafeteria, however, with its daily changing menu, offers an insight into the type of common food that the general public. Salad plates or hot dishes 50-80 Som, tea 15 S. There is also a 24-hour supermarket. In the adjacent building, the "German Black Forest Bakery" offers nothing more than the usual range of cakes and baked goods in Kyrgyz patisseries.
- Bollywood, Turusbekov Str., About 100 m north of the intersection with Chuy Pr. Bollywood caters to the numerous Indian students of the International University Authentic local food at reasonable prices in the simplest atmosphere.
- Sierra, 57/1 Manas Pr. An American-style café, priced and limited, serving as a meeting place for the country's expat community on Sunday mornings.
nightlife
Bishkek's nightlife is considered to be the liveliest in Central Asia and is not (yet) restricted by the constraints of Islamic morals. Most bars etc. close between 11pm and midnight.
accommodation
- Nomads Home, Drevesnaya 10. Tel.: 996 312 48 21 38. Meeting point for backpackers and touring cyclists in Bishkek, overnight in a dorm, in a yurt or in your own tent possible.
- Hostel Central, Chuy Pr. 142, entrance in the Hinerhof. The only good point is the central location, on a noisy main street. Sanitary facilities consist of a wet cell / toilet combination at 1.50 m square for 15-20 guests. This is ventilated out into the 4-man dorm, which can lead to considerable odor nuisance. Cleaning at best superficially. Free tea and instant coffee, so easy to find. Washing machine use 70 som.Price: Dorm: US $ 13 (overpriced for the quality).
- Sakura Guesthouse, 38, Michurina. Tel.: 996-312-380-209, Email: [email protected]. On foot just 10 minutes behind To the; practically impossible to find without the map on the website. Cozy roof terrace, "pool" approx. 2 x 3 m; half-open cooking facilities in the courtyard. Dorms with six beds without any additional furniture or curtains. The sanitary facilities are clean and well above the Central Asian level, you have to bring your own toilet paper.Open: 9.00-0.15; Winter break Dec. with Feb.Price: Dorm 450 Som; Double 1100.
Upscale
- Umai Guest House, 46a, Donskoy pereulok, 720040 Bishkek,. Tel.: 996 555 913 24, Email: [email protected]. Comparatively outside. Expensive by local standards. One speaks German.Price: single 35 euros, double 45, triple 60; m. F.
- Hyatt Regency, 191 Usup Abdrahmanov St, (Sovietskaya). Tel.: 996 312 66 12 34, Fax: 996 312 66 57 44. Open: Check-in 14:00, check-out: 12:00.Price: from US $ 300.
Learn
Bishkek is a very cheap place to learn Russian or Kyrgyz. A private tutoring hour with a native speaker costs the equivalent of around 6-8 €. Russian courses are also offered by the American University of Central Asia and from the Kyrgyz-Russian-Slavic University offered. Also the London School in Bishkek offers inexpensive intensive courses in Russian and Kyrgyz, which are often fully booked in summer. It is therefore advisable to register in advance.
security
The street lights at night are dim. Numerous potholes and road damage can lead to accidents in the dark.
False, very convincing plainclothes policemen are particularly up to mischief around the Osh Bazaar, plundering travelers' cash stocks with sleight of hand in a "drug search". Please note with the ID cards shown that real Kyrgyz police ID cards are the ones depicted always show in uniform. If in doubt, sit down and insist on being taken to the police station, while attracting attention loudly. The so-called "police officers" speak very good English by local standards. It is also advisable to only carry a copy of your passport and visa and show it. Real police officers accept this without hesitation.
Even in the exchange offices at the Osh Bazaar, a few bills are often missing. Should always arouse suspicion when a large sum is paid out uniformly in small bills. Even if it is achieved that the "accidentally" missing bills are replaced, it happens that while replacements are being made at the top of the stack, ten bills are diverted at the bottom. Numerous reputable exchange offices can be found in the area of the Sovietskaya / Moskovskaya intersection (near the National Bank of Pakistan, Pay-in office for Afghan visas.
health
Municipal ambulances can be reached on the emergency number ☎ 103. Chargeable (approx. € 10-15; 2014) private cars on ☎ 151. An emergency room is located in the State Chui Hospital (10 Saratovskaia, corner of Veselaya; ☎ 36-71-50, 36 -71-54). The German-Kyrgyz Medical Center is located in the National Cancer Clinic (92 Achunbaev, ☎ 996 3 312 512 197). As in all former Soviet countries, pharmacies are numerous.
Consulates
In mid-2014 there were 23 foreign representations on site. Numerous countries are represented by their missions in Almaty, Astana, Moscow and Tashkent.
- Austria, г. Бишкек ул. Московская 187/4 (Moscow Str. 187/4). Tel.: 996 312 900 490, Fax: 996 312 900 628, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon., Fri., 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (lunch break 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.).Prize: Honorary Consulate, opened in 2011.
The closest Swiss representative office is in Tashkent, but the local branch of the SDC (on the 11th floor, 21 Erkindik boulvard, 720040 Bishkek; [email protected]) acts as a consulate agency.
Consulates of neighboring countries:
- Afghanistan, J. Pudovkin 24/1. Tel.: 996 312 54 38 02, Fax: 996 312 44 33 01, Email: [email protected]. Open: 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. (processing usually on the same or the following day).Price: The visa fee (2014: 30 days, tourist, one entry US $ 81) must be paid in the branch of the National Bank of Pakistan (Sovietskaya / Moskovskaya intersection).
- 1 China, Brochure Mira 299/7. Tel.: 996 312 597-481, Email: [email protected]. Open: Moved some time ago, the old address Toktogula St. is still often mentioned.Price: An invitation letter from an approved travel agency is required for an overland trip. Using the Torugart Pass (passable May to September) requires special permit and car and driver rental.
- Kazakhstan, Tynychtyk Ave. (formerly: Mira), 95 A. Tel.: 996 312 69-20-95 (Consular Section), Fax: 996-312-69-20-94, Email: [email protected]. Price: Visa fees are on an account with the Kazkommertsbank to deposit.
- Tajikistan, Kara Darinskiya 36 (Trolleybus 17 heading south, get off at the Duplex Lounge Bar. The embassy building is at the end of the street that branches off to the left.). Tel.: 996 312 512-343, Fax: 996 312 51 23 43, Email: [email protected]. Open: 10: 00-13: 00, 14: 00-16: 00.Price: Pure tourist visas for group travel US $ 15 or 25, others staggered according to length of stay. GBAO special permits free of charge.
- Uzbekistan, Tynystanov 213, Bishkek 720040. Tel.: 996 312 66-30-78, Fax: 996 312 66-44-03, Email: [email protected]. Open: Tues.-Fri. morning.Price: That e-Visa form for the online application works unreliably (as of Sept. 2014). It is advisable to make an appointment the day before, by telephone 14.00-16.00.
Practical advice
You can get a SIM card for mobile communications and mobile internet in every hotel free of charge. SIM cards are also distributed at the airport exit, for example. To activate the SIM card, insert it into the mobile phone. Then you go to a supermarket or a gas station and go to the machines that are not ATMs. There you select your mobile phone provider on the card, give your phone number, which is on the SIM, and then put money in the machine. For 100 Som you now have 1.5 GB of data and numerous free SMS from all providers.
The main post office, with the (rarely occupied) philatelic kiosk, is at the intersection Sovietskaya and Chui-Ave. (Mon-Sat 8: 00-20: 00, Sundays 9: 00-18: 00), diagonally opposite. of To the. Postcards to Germany 35 p. (Oct. 2014), running time almost three weeks. In the same building, recognizable by the bell tower, there is also a long-distance exchange where, beautifully old-fashioned, you can register landline calls abroad at the counter and make them in a closed telephone booth. There is a small post office counter (cum magazine kiosk) in the train station.
A DHL branch (Kiev Pr. 107) offers courier delivery at high international prices.
Internet cafés with often old computers can be found in the city center (1h: 20-30 Som), often open 24 hours, sometimes pure computer game clubs (smoking allowed) full of pubescent boys. Usually there is no working USB port. Numerous cafés and restaurants and now even marshrutkas offer free WiFi.
literature
- Prior, Daniel; Bishkek handbook: inside and out; Bishkek 1994; ISBN 5-86254-021-0
Web links
- http://meria.kg - Official website of Bishkek
- Accommodation overview
- Hostels and guest houses overview
- Online bus route planner (Kirg., Russian, English.)
