Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
enough to simply peep through the windows
at the partially visible cottage structure
while walking past.
Al¨Halal¨Gallery¨
gALLERY
(Map p234; Moskva 49;
h
11am-6pm Tue-Sat)
This
small, top-quality modern art gallery is an
ideal starting point for an exploration of
the vibrant, but often invisible, Bishkek arts
scene. If you're keen and lucky, you might
be invited to the artists' studios building
(Druzhba 3). Some talented local artists in-
cluding
Andrei¨Zotov
(www.zotov-art.com.kg)
now have their own online galleries.
WWII¨Monument¨
MONUMENT
(Freedom Sq)
Commemorating the 40th an-
niversary of the end of WWII, this monu-
ment is designed to evoke three symbolic
yurt struts curving above an eternal flame.
It sits within the dauntingly over-sized sun-
bleached expanse of 'Freedom Sq'.
2
¨Activities
Just to the south of the city, you can ski,
hike, mountain bike or picnic in the moun-
tains. Tour and trekking agents (p245) can
help with logistics; TUK (p245) organises
regular small-group excursions, mostly day
trips at weekends. To beat the summer heat,
Bishkek has numerous swimming pools; for
a comprehensive list, check out http:ianbek.
kg/?p=13368.
Zhirgal¨Banya¨
BATHS
(Map p234; Cnr Pravda (Sultan Ibraimov) & Tok-
togul; adult/child incl locker & towel 250/150som;
h
noon-11pm Mon-Thu, 7am-11pm Fri-Sun)
This
large, sex-segregated bathhouse has a twin-
cupped facade that looks like a bad archi-
tectural joke. However, the low-lit, artistic
interior is well maintained and makes a
great place to unwind, unless you're uncom-
fortable with wide-spread nakedness. Mani-
cures (350som) and massages (500som)
cost extra, but there's no charge for flogging
yourself with
venik
(birch twigs) in tradi-
tional Russian style.
Karven¨Club¨
SWIMMINg & FITNESS
(Map p234;
%
68 12 18; Toktogul 77; per hour/day
400/500som;
h
7am-9.30pm)
Outdoor swim-
ming pool with modern fitness centre.
Silk¨Road¨Water¨Centre¨
ADVENTURE SPORTS
(
%
051-775 0972, 60 96 19; www.rafting.com.
kg)
Organises kayaking, fishing and white-
water rafting, notably between Tokmok and
Balykchy (Class II to IV).
BISHKEK¨ROAD¨NAMES
Mot city treet names have been
changed at leat once or twice since
1991. Signs and business cards usu-
ally indicate the latet Kyrgyz names.
However, in speech many locals use
the old Soviet-era names. We follow
suit, tressing the names mot recog-
nisable to taxi drivers. Also note that
Russian grammar gives diferent forms
to names according to usage. Thus, for
example, major eat-wet roads Kiev
and Moskva will often be pronounced
as Moskovskaya and Kievskaya. Be
aware that Soviet (aka Sovietskaya) is
now oicially known as Abdrakhmanov
north of the railway line but as Baytik-
Baatyr to the south.
C
¨Courses
Ease of obtaining student visas, relatively
low living expenses and the use of Russian
as a virtual
lingua franca
in the city, make
Bishkek an appealing destination to study
Russian.
London¨School¨
LANgUAgE COURSE
(Map p240;
%
54 52 62; www.londonschool.kg;
Soviet (Abdrakhmanov) 39; per hr 250som, regis-
tration basic/intensive 300/1200som)
London
School's intensive programme offers five
80-minute Russian-language lessons per day
starting from the first of each month. The
basic programme allows you to do just one
or two hours a day for as little as a week,
according to teacher availability. Book well
ahead for the summer months. Accommo-
dation is available to students in homestays
(half board 600som) or above the school in
ageing but serviceable self-catering rooms
(380som) which pair-share bathrooms and
kitchens.
Russian¨Center¨of¨¨
Science¨and¨Culture¨¨
LANgUAgE COURSE
(Map p234;
%
055-500 3976; www.kgz.rs.gov.ru;
Erkindik 2/1)
Russian courses for a variety
of ability levels. Standard courses (US$100
per month) provide three two-hour lessons
per week.
z
¨Festivals¨&¨Events
During
Nooruz
(21 March) and on
Kyrgyz¨
Independence¨Day
(31 August) traditional
Kyrgyz horseback games entice 99% male
audiences to the Hippodrome, around 5km
