Kyrgyzstan's Karakol charms visitors with memorable winter vacation

KARAKOL, KYRGYZSTAN - DEC. 14, 2024: The Karakol Ski Center in Kyrgyzstan's Karakol province offers thousands of visitors a pleasant winter vacation at an altitude of around 2,300 meters (7545 feet). Nestled in the Khan Tengri Mountain to the east of Lake Issyk-Kul, Karakol Ski Center offers a wide range of activities such as cable car rides, paragliding and snowboarding tracks designed to suit all skill levels. The visitors can get the chance to experience lodging in cozy mountain huts and hostels. They can also enjoy various foods to their likings or enrich their palates with traditional foods such as boso lagman and ashlan-fu. In addition, the Khan Tengri Mountain, towering at 6,695 meters (21,965 feet), is accessible from Karakol. The area also boasts several shops offering winter sports equipment, as well as unique souvenirs crafted from ceramics, wool, and goat hair. The architectural landmarks in the city add to its charm as a winter waypoint. The Dungan Mosque, built in 1910 in Chinese style, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a wooden cathedral built in 1895, are notable tourist attractions in the city. Local tourists Erkayım Adilova and Asılcan Amangeldiyeva encouraged people to visit Karakol and experience its atmosphere. (Footage by Nazir Aliyev Tayfur/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)