ACityIndependent states
Karakol
A town at the eastern end of Issyk-Kul, known for its Dungan mosque and wooden Orthodox church and a centre for mountain tourism.
Karakol is Kyrgyzstan's fourth-largest town and the centre of Issyk-Kul Region, about 150 km from the Chinese border and 380 km from Bishkek.
Its most famous building is the Dungan Mosque, built of wood in Chinese style without nails, and the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral is another landmark. The cold Dungan dish ashlan-fu spread from here across the country.
Karakol is the starting point for treks into the Tian Shan, with the Jeti-Ögüz rocks, hot springs and a ski base nearby.
Sources
Updated: October 3, 2026