Researchers are uncovering the remains of Toru-Aigyr, a medieval settlement beneath Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake. With ancient buildings, a Muslim cemetery and only a fraction of the site surveyed, the discovery is opening a new chapter in the region’s archaeological history. UNESCO has also expressed readiness to send scientists to study ancient settlements in Kyrgyzstan.
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.