Issyk-Kul

Issyk-Kul is the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, is one of the 30 largest lakes in the world by area and is in seventh place in the list of the deepest lakes. The lake is located in the north-eastern part of the republic, between the ridges of the Northern Tien Shan at an altitude of 1608 m above sea level. The length of the lake is 180 km, width is 64km and the maximum depth is 668 m (average is 270 m). In terms of water transparency, Issyk-Kul ranks second after Lake Baikal . One of the interesting facts of the lake is that it gets water from 80 tributaries, but none of them leave the lake.

Name

Translated from the Kyrgyz language, Issyk-Kul means "Hot Lake". It is so called because in winter the hot springs and the salinity of the water do not allow it to be covered with ice. The local population call Lake Issyk-Kul “The Pearl of Kyrgyzstan”. Like a small bead strung on a chain of mountain ranges it really justifies its name.

Touristic season

Tourism

There are a lot of resort hotels and guest houses on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The unique combination of sea and mountain climates attracts many people. Lake Issyk-Kul is the main source of income from tourism in Kyrgyzstan. The beach season for tourists is open from mid-June to the end of August. In general, most of the tourists are residents of Kyrgyzstan ,Kazakhstan and Russia.