Central Asia’s Single Visa: One Application Could Link Issyk-Kul Beaches to Samarkand
A single tourist visa for Central Asia could make multi-country trips much easier. Here’s what was proposed, who supports it, and why there is still no timeline.
Issyk-Kul travel
Almaty to Issyk-Kul Could Get a 277-Kilometre Shortcut
A proposed 277-kilometre road could dramatically shorten the journey from Almaty to Issyk-Kul. Here is the latest 2026 update on the route, feasibility study and construction plans.
Kyrgyzstan Passes 13 Million Visitors: Why Lake Issyk-Kul Went Mainstream
Kyrgyzstan’s tourism boom is transforming Issyk-Kul from a relatively quiet regional getaway into one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing beach destinations. With annual tourist arrivals rising from a few million to around 10–13 million, new flights and bus links from Uzbekistan, expanding lakeside infrastructure and growing regional demand are bringing more visitors to the shores of Issyk-Kul. The question is no longer whether the lake is becoming popular — but how long you can still experience its quieter side.