Kyrgyzstan facts: What you need to know about Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is the best destination for active vacationers looking for something out of the ordinary. Very few tourists have yet to venture into the stunning mountain ranges, vast steppes and unique landscapes of Kyrgyzstan. So, on a trip to Kyrgyzstan, an undiscovered nature is waiting for you and a country full of traditions and culture. But how did Kyrgyzstan become the country it is today? In this article we want to take you on a journey into the past of Kyrgyzstan. 

Kyrgyzstan's early history

Kyrgyz history can be traced back at least to the 1st century BC. It is likely that the early Kyrgyz lived in the upper valley of the Yenisei River in central Siberia, and the Tashtyk culture, a mixture of Asian and European peoples, may have been their homeland.

Chinese and Muslim sources from the 7th to 12th centuries AD describe the Kyrgyz as red-haired with fair complexions and green or blue eyes. They were considered "northern" forest dwellers who used skis and practiced shamanism.

In the mid-9th century, the Kyrgyz, who were certainly Turkic-speaking by this time, overthrew the Uighur empire in Mongolia but did not settle there; they remained essentially a forest people.

Kyrgyzstan in the Middle Ages

In 1207, the Kyrgyz peacefully became part of the emerging Mongol Empire.

The Kyrgyz submitted to Genghis Khan's son, Jöchi. In this way, they not only escaped destruction, but also remained outside the immediate reach of Islam. In the late 16th century, shamanism still flourished among them.

The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, Lake Issyk-Kul was a stopover on the Silk Road. The Kyrgyz tribes were conquered by the Mongols in the 17th century, by the Manchurian Qing Dynasty in the mid-18th century, and by the Chinese in the early 19th century.

The region of Kyrgyzstan, ceded to Russia by the Qing dynasty, included what is now Eastern Kyrgyzstan.

Soviet domination

Between 1835 and 1858, two Kyrgyz tribes of the Tien Shan, the Sarybagysh and the Bugu, engaged in a fratricidal war in which both sides alternately sought and received Kandyan or Russian aid. In 1855, the Bugu voluntarily submitted to the Russians, who, at their request, built the Aksu fortress in 1863.

In the second half of the 20th century, economic progress and general modernization unfortunately did not succeed in eliminating tensions between Russians and Kyrgyz.

Among the Central Asian republics of the former Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan was perhaps the one that struggled most to achieve full independence. After more than 1,000 years of disunity, statelessness, and foreign subjugation, Kyrgyzstan became one of the world's independent countries on August 31, 1991.

Modern history

In 1991, Akayev ran unopposed in an election in which 95 % of the population participated.

Under President Askar Akayev, Kyrgyzstan developed all the institutions of a modern democracy, including an open press, an independent judiciary and a freely elected parliament. Nevertheless, the new country faced numerous challenges.

Kyrgyzstan experienced a sharp economic decline beginning in the mid-1990s, due in part to a shortage of raw materials and the emigration of many Russian and German skilled workers.

In addition, the Akayev government was accused of widespread corruption, and the president was accused of abuse of power.

Although the press was ostensibly free, it was intimidated by officials and, as of 1995, was subject to a series of state regulations.

Finally, in 1995, the first democratic parliamentary elections were held, in which both the head of government and the president were confirmed in office. In 1998, Kyrgyzstan became the first of the former Soviet republics to join the WTO.

You want to travel to Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan is a country that, as you can see, carries a lot of history with it. Are you ready to discover Kyrgyzstan on your own? Then join us on one of our next 8 days round trip through Kyrgyzstan. We look forward to seeing you!