Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
For a full list of embassies see the website of the
Ministry of Foreign Afairs
(www.dcsmfa.kg).
Kyrgyz Embassies in Central Asia
There are Kyrgyz diplomatic missions in Almaty
and Astana, Kazakhstan (p126); Ashgabat, Turk-
menistan (p401); Dushanbe, Tajikistan (p126);
and Tashkent, Uzbekistan (p222).
Kyrgyz Embassies & Consulates
For most Western nationals, tourist visas are
no longer required; embassy listings have been
reduced to a few regional countries where
those who do need visas might apply en route.
Kyrgyz Missions in China
(
%
010-6468-1297;
www.kyrgyzstanembassy.net; Xiaun Road,
King's Villas No 18, H 10/11;
h
applications
9am-11am Mon, Wed & Fri) One month visa
costs 1360/745/465 Chinese Yuan processed
in one/three/seven days. Chinese citizens will
need to get visa approval from Bishkek which
adds around US$15 and up to ten days. The
Ürümqi Consulate
(38 Hetan Beilu;
h
noon-
2pm Mon-Fri) is at the Central Asia Hotel.
Kyrgyz Missions in Iran
Mashhad
(
%
051-
818444);
Tehran
(
%
021-229 8323,
%
021-283
0354; krembiri@kanoon.net; Bldg 12, 5th
Naranjastan Alley, Pasdaran St).
Kyrgyz Missions in Russia
(
%
095-237 4571,
095-237 4882, 095-237 4601; fax 237 4452;
Bolshaya Ordynka ulitsa 64, Moscow) Also in
Ekaterinburg.
Kyrgyz Missions in Turkey
Ankara
(
%
312-
446 84 08; kirgiz-o@tr-net.net.tr; Boyabat
Sokak 11, gaziosmanpasa);
İstanbul
(
%
212-
235 6767; genkon@tr.net; 7 Lamartin Caddesi,
Taksim).
Embassies & Consulates in Kyrgyzstan
For letters of support, try travel agencies such
as Kyrgyz Concept (p246) and CAT (p246). The
nearest Turkmen embassy is in Almaty (p126).
Afghan Embassy
(Map p240;
%
0312-54 38
02; J Pudovkin (Pravda south) 24, Bishkek;
h
9.30am-4pm Mon-Thu, 9.30am-noon Fri)
Visa availability depends on your discussion
with the consul and, presumably, your ability
to show you understand the security situation
where you plan to head. Some travellers report
success, with visas issued within a day or two
(transit/tourist US$30/60).
Chinese Embassy
(
%
0312-59 74 85; http:
kg.chineseembassy.org/rus/lsqw; Mira 299/7,
Bishkek;
h
9.15am-11.30am Mon, Wed & Fri;
g
8, 265, 295, 307) The embassy is way down
Mira (Tynchtyk). get off bus 8 or marshrutka
295, 265, or 307 at Rakhat Cafe, follow the
pylons west for one block, then walk diagonally
across a playing field. The consular entrance is
at the far (western) side, but as of late 2013 no
longer accepts visa applications from non-
resident foreigners.
French Embassy
(Map p234;
%
0312-30 07 11;
cad.bichkek-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr; Bokon-
bayevo 113, Bishkek)
German Embassy
(Map p234;
%
0312-90
50 00; www.bischkek.diplo.de; Razzakov 28,
Bishkek)
Indian Embassy
(
%
0312-21 78 06; embassy
ofindia.kg; 15a Aeroportinskaya St, Bishkek;
h
10am-12.30pm Mon-Fri) Two blocks west of
Mira behind the Ak-Keme Hotel.
Iranian Embassy
(Map p234;
%
0312-62 12
81 after dialling press 2 then 0; Razzakov 36,
Bishkek;
h
9.30am-noon Mon-Fri) You'll need
an invitation letter (best arranged in advance
HORSING¨AROUND
Horse sports are very popular in Kyrgyztan and have seen a revival in recent years. The
mot unforgettable of these is an all-out mounted brawl over a headless goat whose
body mut be thrown into a circular 'goal'. Known as
kok boru,
ulak-tartysh
or
buzkashi
,
the Kyrgyz term meaning 'grey wolf' reveals its origins as a hunting exercise. The form
played in Kyrgyztan is essentially a team sport in contrat to the free-for-all version
of Tajikitan, but either way it's a remarkably full-on event at which riders and horses
can take an incredible battering. A national competition comes to a climax in Bishkek
during Nooruz on 21 March. Games are also often incorporated into Independence Day
celebrations and other fetivals.
Other classic games include
at chabysh
, a horse race over a ditance of 20km to
30km;
jumby atmai,
horseback archery;
tiyin enmei,
where contetants pick up coins
of the ground while galloping pat; and
udarysh,
horseback wretling. Then there's
kyz-kumay
(kiss the girl) in which a male rider furiously chases a woman on horseback
in an attempt to kiss her. Then in the return leg, the woman gets to chase and whip her
pretend 'suitor'. Ah, young love. This allegedly began as a formalised alternative to bride
abduction.
Community tourism outits can often arrange demontrations upon requet if you
give several days' notice.
