The very first time I got somewhat close to Kyrgyzstan was during a flight from Tashkent to Almaty. Down below and close to the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border : Tien Shan mountain range. Staring at this snow covered, magisterial, and sacred mountains, one can’t help but feel terrified and dazzled by the conquerors and merchants of the Silk Roads who traveled through such challenging Eurasian landscapes.

These mountain ranges belong or connect to greater mountain systems, that in turn connect to greater mountain systems of Eurasia : Hindu Kush, Himalaya and Karakorum. Symbolically, this is exactly Kyrgyzstan, a bridge between  Central Asia and China. A Bridge, but with its own distinctive heritage, its own distinctive diversity. Kyrgyzstan and the kindness of its population are definitely worth a visit.

Walk in Bishkek or Karakol, and you will experience what is so special about Kyrgyzstan and Eurasia’s mosaic.