Bradt's Kyrgyzstan remains the only English-language guide dedicated solely to this astounding country, described as 'the Switzerland of central Asia' and regarded by many as the most beautiful nation in the world. This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition extends its detailed coverage of everything this intriguing, little-known but easily accessible country has to offer, including trekking, mountaineering, horse riding, historical sites, festivals and Kyrgyz culture. Lying deep within central Asia, Kyrgyzstan's beautiful mountainscapes, dreamlike rock formations, Silk Road monuments and semi-nomadic culture are gloriously unspoiled. Most of Kyrgyzstan's mountain ranges belong to the Tien Shan system, the legendary Celestial Mountains of Chinese folklore, whose highest peak is Jengish Chokusu (formerly Pik Pobedy), which stands at 7,439m on the Chinese border. A trip here can be as adventurous as you please: gallop on horseback through the alpine meadows that surround 3,016m-high Lake Song-Kol; go trekking in the mountain valleys that lie south of Karakol; admire 5,000-year-old petroglyphs at Saimaluu-Tash; visit leafy Bishkek's Soviet-era statues; track down thrilling wildlife (including snow leopard and Siberian ibex); or simply laze on the shores of the vast Lake Issyk-Kul, whose beaches snuggle beneath towering mountains. Alternatively, visit Arslanbob (a charming Uzbek village and resort surrounded by the world's largest walnut forests); shop in the huge bazaar at Osh; drink kumys (made from fermented mare's milk); or watch the Central Asian equestrian sports of ulak tartysh (essentially polo, but with a goat carcass) and kyz-kumay (horseback kiss-catch). New elements of this fifth edition include the network of community-based tourism operators that can help with competitively priced accommodation, transport and horse hire; new skiing and snowboarding offerings that promote Kyrgyzstan as a year-round destination; details on whitewater rafting and paragliding; advice on border crossings; and greater detail about Kol-Suu (Kel-Suu) Lake in Naryn and the remote Batken province. With in-depth coverage of historical background, health, safety and public transport, accommodation information covering all options from low-cost to luxury, feature boxes offering insights into Kyrgyz culture and society, plus personal recommendations on the best yurt camps and chaikhanas, Bradt's Kyrgyzstan is the ideal companion for a successful trip. AUTHOR: After a varied career included teaching English in rural Sudan and surveying historic farm buildings, Laurence Mitchell (eastofelveden.wordpress.com) became a travel writer and photographer with an interest in forgotten places, border zones and territories in transition, meaning that he has travelled widely in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the ex-Soviet world. He has been interested in Kyrgyz culture since first meeting nomads in northwest China en route to Pakistan in 2001 and has visited Kyrgyzstan four times since 2006. As well as Bradt's Kyrgyzstan guidebook, he has written Bradt's Serbia guide, Bradt's Slow Travel guidebooks to Norfolk and Suffolk, walking guides to East Anglia and Westering (a lyrical account of a slow coast-to-coast walk in Britain). He has also contributed to publications including Walk, hidden europe, Geographical, Discover Britain and Russian Life, and is a member of the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild. 43 colour photos, 22 maps
