Glossary
The encyclopedia of the tourist

B
Baetova
Bakai-Ata (Leninpol)
Bakiev
Balasagyn Zhusup
Balbai batyr  
Balbals
Balykchi
Bar-Bulak
Bars-bek  
Barskoon, hill-fort
 Barskoon, river
Barskoon, gorge
Barskoon, pass
Bash-Kaindy
Basmachi
Batken, region
Baytik Kanaev  
Baytik valley
 Bedel, pass
Bel-Saz
Belogorka, gorge
Bernshtam
Besh-Tash
Bishkek
Bokonbaevo
Boo-Terek
Boom, gorge
Bosteri
Burana


Baetova. The center of the Ak-Talaa region - 120 km from Naryn, Baetova lies on the road between Lake Son-Kul and Tash-Rabat - but the road is difficult and really needs a 4WD vehicle. Top

Bakai-Ata (Leninpol). A small village on the main road West out of Talas. There are a number of other mausoleums in the neighborhood - three dating from the 18th and 19th centuries are located to the East of the town.
To the West archaeologists have discovered the remains of the ancient town of Sul, which dates from between the 6th and 12th centuries. Top

Bakiev, Kurmanbek Salievich - the second President of the Kyrgyz Republic (2005-2010). Born on 01.08.1949, in the village of Masadan in Jalal-Abad region. Kyrgyz national. In 1972, he graduated from the Kuibyshev Polytechnic Institute, majoring in electrical engineering. Between 1974-1976, he served in the Soviet Army. Between 1976-1990, Bakiev's role varied from an electrical engineer to a plant manager. In 1990-2005, he held various government posts. In 2005, Bakiev became the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
He was awarded with the medal of Peter the Great, one of the first degree of the Academy of Security, Defense and Law of the Russian Federation (2005), "for his services and his great personal contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan." Bakiev was the first honorable professor of Kyrgyz State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports (2006). He was a member and Commander of the rank of the "International Academy of Information Technology" (Moscow, 2006).
He is married. Wife - Tatyana Vasilievna (born in 1949); she led the regional branch of the charity fund of M. Akayeva called "Mayerim." Bakiev has two sons: Marat - Lieutenant Colonel, Chief of National Security of the CD; and Maxim - graduated from the Slavic University, and is a businessman.
Bakiev's brothers:
Marat Salievich - Director of the Judicial Department of the Ministry of Justice, also a member of Legislative Assembly of the Jogorku Kenesh. He was a member of inter-parliamentary relations committee (until 2005). In the summer of 2005 Marat Salievich was recommended for the post of ambassador of Kyrgyzstan in Germany.
Zhusup Salievich - was the President of the National Fund for Emergency and DOE, and in March-April 2005 became the first Deputy Governor of Jalalabad region.
Zhanysh Salievich - colonel of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); Chief of Internal Affairs Ministry of Kyrgyzstan of transport (April 30, 2004).
Kanybek Salievich - was elected as the head of Aiyl Okmok (AO) "Yrys" in Suzak region. Ahmad Salievich - has his own farm in Jalalabad.
Adyl Salievich - a building engineer; he was chief of PMK, and a businessman; from 2005 - he was a Kyrgyzstan's retail trade representative in China.
The very first actions of the President testified about the revival of "family contract", and, on a large scale, with more cynicism. In place of one family came another, more numerous. "There was only apical clan coup. It was, first, the capture of the Akaev's family business by Bakiev family. All high priority orders were going through the brother Marat Bakiev and his son, Maksim Bakiev. Later, there was a conflict between the uncle and the nephew over the division of property, thus Bakiev had to separate families into different directions. Marat was the ambassador in Federal Republic of Germany, and Max was the student at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Within a short period of time Maxim became a central figure in the implementation of the most profitable economic projects.
On April 7, 2010 protesters stormed a government building in Kyrgyzstan. On this day in Central Square "Ala-Too" near Government House and in the ensuing riots in the city, 90 people were killed and 1.5 thousand injured. In a coup, power passed into the hands of a provisional coalition government consisting of the leaders of opposition parties.
Former President Kurmanbek Bakiev left the country. Damage to the state, by the relatives and those close to Kurmanbek Bakiev, was six billion soms (about 129 million dollars) and $130 million. There are about 200 criminal cases (for economic and official crimes) against those who were close/related to the former president.   Top

Balasagyn Zhusup (lived and worked in the XI century., he was born around 1018). Zhusup was a prominent poet, philosopher, scholar and polymath; a connoisseur of Islamic theology, law, Arab-Iranian literature and science of prosody, astronomy, mathematics, medicine; a scholar of Turkic linguistics, folklore and customs.   Top

Balbai batyr. Balbai Eshkozho uulu, from bugu kind, was born on 28 February, 1791. He led the liberation wars against the invaders in the period from 1850 to 1855. Balbai defended the interests of his people and was actively involved in tribal feuds. In 1853, the district of Kuturgu area (northern coast of Issyk-Kul) held a battle between Borombai (bugu kind) and Ormon Khan (sarybagysh kind). Ormon Khan was captured, but after a while, to avoid letting him go, Balbai killed him.
Legend tells that Ormon Khan once held Balbai in his captivity for a long time in order to kill him. But, upon request of bugintsi and his aksakals ("white beard" or male elders), he let him go. Balbai held a suppressed anger, and he avenged Ormon Khan.
At first, he was a supporter of the accession of the Kyrgyz to Russia and "for the excellent service and continued dedication to the government" Balbai was awarded an honorary caftan of the third category and a diploma on a special paper with bicapital imperial eagle. Balbai then gave up on it and took an active part in the struggle against imperial colonial power. As a result, he was arrested and imprisoned, where he died.
The descendants of Balbai have put up a grand monument on his soil- Kumbez Balbai. Gumbez is located near the three roads between the villages of Tup and Sary-Bulak. In 1916, Gumbez was destroyed. It was then restored on the means of Kurmenty and Sary-Bulak population in 1991-1992.   Top

Balykchi, city. It is located west of the Issyk-Kul lake. In 1871 on the premises of the current city was a small village. In the middle of 1890s, a retired officer M. Bachin moved there, who opened his own fishing business. By 1907, the village had 100 fishermen-families living there, thus this village was renamed to Bachino. Then the village was renamed to Rybachie (Fishing village). Since 1954 - the city.
After independence in 1991 the city was renamed to Issyk-Kul, but this caused confusion, and in 1992 was named Balykchi ("balyk” - fish). Here is the last final stop of the railway from Bishkek, and the turning of the highway to China, as well as the connection of the northern and southern shores of the Issyk-Kul lake. Top

Bar-Bulak, hill-fort (VIII-XII centuries). Bar-Bulak is located 1.5 km to the southeast of the village, which has the same name - Bar-Bulak, Issyk-Kul region. Judging from the remains, Bar-Bulak hill-fort is among the largest settlements of the Issyk-Kul basin. Occupying an advantageous geographical position, the city played an important role in south-western part of the Issyk-Kul region. Top

Bars-bek (675-711) - The governor of the Kyrgyz state, formed on the Yenisei. He pursued an independent foreign policy, where he was the head of anti-Turkic forces after the formation of the Second Turkic  Kaghanate. In order to protect the interests of the Kyrgyz Yenisei, Bars-bek entered into an alliance with the Chinese Tang Empire,  Turgesh Kaghanate and friendly neighboring tribes. He was killed in action during the attack of the Turkic army.   Top

Barskoon, hill-fort. Barskoon is located near the mouth of the Barskoon river on the right bank. It consists of the central ruins (the citadel and shakhristan), the area that is surrounded by a long wall. Its total area is 8-9 sq. km. Barskoon is identified with an ancient city and is mentioned in written sources in IX-XIII centuries. Barskoon hill-fort was opened by D.F. Winnick in 1959. During excavations, some objects made of clay and stone were found there. The material obtained from the remains is categorised as belonging to VIII-XII centuries. In the area of Barskoon, there are still about 20 small villages of the X-XII centuries remain there.
The medieval Arabic geographer, Gardizi, leads the legend of the foundation of the city Barshan. Alexander of Macedon conquered the Persian empire in 334 - 329 years BC, he took the noble families as hostages in order to prevent quite possible riots. According to circumstances, he was forced to leave the noble hostage Persians on the shore of the Issyk-Kul lake. The sons of the Persian nobles, losing hope of returning home, have built a town here in their own way, and gave it a name - the Barshan area. The painters decorated the houses with polychrome tiered panels, like Sogdian, and Ustrashan and Tokharistan. Part of the city was soon under water, and the second - has remained on a high plateau lakes.   Top

Barskoon, river. Barskoon river flows through the Jetiogusk area. It begins in the central part of Terskey Ala-Too from the mountain pass of Kerege-Tash (H-3684) and falls into the Issyk-Kul lake. The length of Barskoon is 62 km, a catchment area of 352 km². It has over 40 tributaries. Major tributaries include Dyungyureme, Sharkyrak, At-Dzhailoo, Dzhany- Korgon, Kerege-Tash, etc. The main source of water supply is melted snow and ice water. Flood begins in May and ends in September. The average annual water flow is 4.07 m ³/ sec. There are carvings displayed mostly along the left bank of Barskoon floodplain. Those carvings start from the lake shore to the entrance of the gorge. There are images of goats, deer, horses, camels, hunting scenes, and other animals carved on stones and rocks. Shapes of goats dominate the images. Most of the images are given in the best traditions of the Scythian-Siberian animal style. These drawings were left by Saks, who lived in the Barskoon valley in VII - III centuries BC. These images were found in 1959 by D.F. Vinnik.   Top

Barskoon, gorge. It is the southern coast of Issyk-Kul located 80 km from Karakol. At the entrance to the gorge is the village Barskoon (the ancient name "Barshan"). Barshan used to be the rate of Khan, who lived in the castle. The nearby cities were the Great and the Lower Barshany.
It is 30 km in length. The road is laid along the gorge, which passes through Barskoon (3,754 m), which connects the Issyk-Kul basin with exorbitant plains of the Internal and the Central Tien-Shan. One of the Silk Roads used to pass through the Bedel pass (4284 m) to China. At the entrance to the gorge, on the brown brink of a steep cliff, you can see the meter image of a flying goat in a leap, and a little further down the road - quadrilateral shaft with corner towers. These are the remnants of once-mighty fortress (IX-XIV centuries).
Now this road leads to Kumtor gold mine, which is highly maintained. At the entrance of the gorge, the slopes are covered in a green blanket of steppe vegetation, and occasional thickets of shrubs. Then the spruce forest zone begins, which heavily covers both hillside ravine. At an altitude of 2800 meters spruce forest begins to thin out noticeably. The juniper trees, which sometime form a grove, become increasingly visible. Over twenty serpentines of mountain road lead to Barskoon gorge passing overhanging glaciers. In the ridge zone of the gorge, you can see a lot of sparkling snow-capped peaks, adorned with ice-dumping and glaciers. Among them are the peaks of Panfilov Heroes (4610 m) and the World Peace Council (4310 m).
The grand waterfalls, located in a picturesque forest area near the road, present a spectacular scenery. One of the waterfalls - "TheTears of the Tiger "- is a public monument of nature. Water, tearing off a steep wall of the left slope of the valley, 100 meters in height, falls into a narrow gorge and is divided into a myriad of spray. The noise of the waterfall completely blocks out the human voice.
On the way, there are two interesting monuments - the Soviet truck, hoisted onto the platform and the bust of Yuri Gagarin, in honor of the fact that he rested on the southern coast of Issyk-Kul after his historic flight into space.
To the east of the gorge is the "alpine cold desert Sytyr". In Soviet times, the road went east into the upper reaches of the Naryn River and formed a loop passing through the pass Yshtyk on the Ak-Shiyrak, Inilchek and ran to the town of Karakol. Currently, the road is impassable.
A scientist of 11-th century, Mahumud al-Kashgari (also known as Barshani) was a native of this area. He wrote the first dictionary of the Turkic language, whilst living in Baghdad in 1072-1074 years. He was also the author of "Maps of the World," works on the history, culture, etc.
On the occurrence of the most beautiful waterfalls in the nation there lies a sad legend. A tigeress, once gave birth to three tiger cubs, went on a hunt leaving them in the den. And when she returned, she saw that naughty cubs got out of the house and got crashed on the mountain cliffs. She began to cry. Her endless tears of sorrow turned into a waterfall with three benches. Top

Barskoon, pass (3754 m). Barskon pass is located in the central part of Terskey Ala-Too, in the upper reaches of Barskoon river and Arabelsky elevation. There are vertices around the pass, reaching heights of 4386-4512 meters, as well as modern glaciers. The northern slope is steep and short, and the South is low and flat, gradually turning into syrty. There is a highway that goes through Barskoon pass, linking syrty of Southern Tien-Shan with Issyk-Kul valley, and the high-voltage power line.   Top

Bash-Kaindy, canyon and river. The tributary comes from the At-Bashy river, Naryn region. It is the biggest waterfall in Kyrgyzstan Shaar.   Top

Batken, region. Batken - the most remote region of Kyrgyzstan. Located in the southwest of the republic and is divided into four areas, with elevations ranging from 401 (lowest point of Kyrgyzstan) to 5,621 meters above sea level. This region occupies the southern foothills of the Fergana valley. This region was created in 1999 after incursions by armed fighters of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, who tried to cross Kyrgyzstan from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan.
Batken city is an administrative center. The area includes a number of enclaves belonging to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, established in Stalin's times, when borders were determined by the Union Republics. There are seven enclaves - some very small, no bigger than a farm. The largest enclave is the Soha, which belongs to Uzbekistan.
The region has numerous historical and cultural sites known by its written sources. These are the remains of ancient settlements of 1-6 centuries of our era - Airbaz, Batken, Kayragach, Kara-Kamar, Kojo-Bakyrgan, Obishir. Bulak-Bashi, Isfana, Kara-Bulak are the settlements of 9-16 centuries, and the remnants of the fortress of Kokand periods are the Kan, Kyshtut and the architectural monument- mosque of the Kayragach village. In addition to these attractions, in the south of Rabat village, there are the same named ancient settlements of miners and also, there is a monument- mosque, Kan-I-Gut or so-called "mine of perdition" near the Samarkandyk village.
Batken, has the largest plantations of apricots, and in the spring when they bloom, there is a feeling that you are in paradise. Batken has beautiful mountains too. There are two well-known twin rocks. There are no similar rocks in the world, only three - in Pakistan, in South Patagonia and Batken.
In Batken, you will be told a beautiful romantic legend about the flower Aigul, which blooms once a year.
The legend of Aigul. Top

Baytik Kanaev (1820-1886). The hereditary manap of solto kind, Chu valley. He was one of the leaders of the struggle against the oppression of the Kokand khanate. He, for his courage and strength from the people, got a nickname of "Batyr", also known as "warrior". In early 1860, Kanaev went under the patronage of Russians. By 1862, he became the acknowledged head of the tribal union of solto. Baitik-warrior was known as the implacable enemy of the Kokand domination and a friend of Russia, who led the revolt and destroyed Kokand governor in Bishkek Rakhmatullu. With 200 dzhigits, Kanaev participated in the capture of Russian troops such as Merke, Aulie-Ata, Chymkenta and several other Kokand fortresses. His services were highly appreciated by the royal authority. He was given the rank of captain of the Russian Army, and was awarded the Order of Stanislav third class, the Gold Medal on St Anna's ribbon, bestowed with a ring and an honorary caftan. He was invited to St. Petersburg in 1867 to the coronation ceremony of Alexander II. It should be noted that anti-Kokand trends were not a universal phenomenon among the solto kind. Baitik's raised rebellion reflected the mood of just one wing of this kind. Part of the solto, was led by Zhangsharachem, Maimylom, and Tyna-Aly manaps, who did not want to accept the Russian authorities and moved to the upper reaches of Talas. In addition, manaps made their own squads and openly resisted the Russian troops. Only in 1864, after the death of Zhanagaracha manap, his sons and Kockum manap began to establish relations with the Russian authorities. Baytik Batyr died in 1886 and was buried in a mausoleum on the hill (octagonal building of a burnt brick) on the so-called "Khan's graves" in the foothills of the Chon-Aryk. There is a view, from the hill, overlooking the native village, which after his death became known as Baitik-ail. Beside him was buried his son, Uzbek, over whose grave, a magnificent wrought-iron lattice tower with a dome was built.   Top

Baytik valley is located on the southern outskirts of Bishkek city. Baitik Kanaev was born in 1820. People gave him the nickname “baatyr” for his honorable courage and strength. At the time he aided the voluntary entry of Kyrgyzstan into part of Russia. He was known as an implacable enemy of Kokand regime and a friend of Russia. Together with the Russians, Baitik’s troops stormed the fortresses of Bishkek, Merke, and Aulie-Ata. He received the title of captain of the Russian army from the Russian government. He was also awarded the prizes of the Big Gold Medal at Ann's tape and the Order of Stanislav of III degree. Baitik Baatyr died in 1886 and was buried in a mausoleum on a hill (octagonal structure made of burnt brick) on the so-called "Khan's graves” in the foothills of the Chon-Aryk. The hill has a splendid view of the local village, which after his death became known as Baitik-Ail. His son Uzbek is buried next to him. A beautiful bent-iron webbed tower with a dome was built over his grave. Part of the slopes is planted with pistachio nuts and the other half was left in its natural state. Here is also the location of a mountain Boz-Peldek (1395 m) with a panoramic view to the city of Bishkek. South-east of Besh-Kungey is the state botanical preserve Chon-Aryk, which contains protected plants like saffron Alatavsky, iris Kolpakovsky, yunona Kumakevicha, several species of tulips and others. Top

Bedel, pass (4284 m). Bedel pass is located in the Dzhetioguzsk area (Issyk-Kul). The road from the Barskon village goes through Kakshaalsky ridge between the mountains of Suuk-Kyr and Kara-Bel. Left tributary, Bedel river (is the basin of Shyirak river) starts from the Bedel pass. The saddle is rocky and clayey. The slopes on either side are steep, they are  composed of sandstones, conglomerates, shales and limestones of the Palaeozoic. There are glaciers and snow always present on the Bedel pass. The Bedel pass is known from the 2nd half of the VIII century; caravan route of the Silk Road used to go through this pass.   Top

Bel-Saz, jailoo. The Bel-Saz jailoo lies in the Kegety valley and can be the base for various treks and horseriding. Top

Bernshtam, Alexander (1910 - 1956) - a Soviet archaeologist and a doctor of historical Sciences, who examined the Seven Rivers, Tien-Shan, Pamir-Alai and Fergana. He developed periodization of archaeological monuments in Central Asia from the II millennium BC to XV century of our era. In the works of Bernshtam, some aspects are highlighted, which include ethno-genesis, society, economy of ancient nomadic peoples of Central Asia, as well as the history of art and culture, epigraphy and numismatics.   Top

Besh-Tash, valley (Five Stones). Besh-Tash valley is located south of Talas on the northern slopes of the Talas Ala-Too. The slopes are covered  with juniper bushes, with places turning into a beautiful type of grove park. The road follows the Besh-Tash river at the height of 2997 meters, where there is a dammed-Moreno Besh-Tash lake. The depth of which is 28 meters and it has an area of 0.5 square kilometers. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour, which contains rare species of fish such as osman, marinkas and trout. There are a lot of groundhogs in the area. On the way to the valley there is a spectacular mountain scenery of unsploit nature.   Top

Bokonbaevo. The town of Bokonbaevo is about half way between Balykchi and Karakol on the Southern shore of the lake. It is named after a famous Kyrgyz poet.
Once a thriving town - it has suffered from the economic downturn after independence, but many people are returning to traditional farming, hunting (e. g. with birds) and crafts - and it is now a local centre for these. There is also a local museum with a collection of paintings by local artists. To the west is the gumbez (mausoleum) of Tara-Suu.
It lies at the foot of several valleys, including the Kongur-Olun valley - which runs for some distance parallel to the road on the other side of the mountain ridge. Nearby are some radon hot water springs, the ancient settlement of Khan Debe and the Tuuara Suu barrows (burial mounds) dating from the 6th to the 5th centuries BC.Top

Boo-Terek. Boo-Terek village, Bakai-Ata region, Talas.
Shai’yk – Sagynbek Eshaliev. Type of mazar – tree and spring. The mazar is located 100-150 meters above Boo-Terek village close to its end. Very large trees grow along the road. It is located on the right side of the road to the west. There is a mausoleum of Janybek Batyr and lots of sea-buckthorn around. Water comes out at the base of the large trees. At the base of one tree, there are triplet springs. The site covers an area of about a hectare.
Oral history. The mazar is located close to Klyuchevka (Ak Debe) village. The architecture of the present Booterek is interesting. Its architectural composition resembles that of Manas Mausoleum very much, says scientist Bakyt E. Amanbaeva. According to the shai’yk of the mazar, Sagynbek Eshaliev, Booterek was an oluya who lived in this area. He is said to have been 5 meters tall, 1.5 meters wide, and weigh approximately two tons. The elders of the Booterek mazar, Adamiya Ata, Kalpa Ata, Boztektir Ata, Bostun Bulak Ata, Baba Ata and Bacha Ata are located in Chatkal. Booterek Ata died here and was buried here. People began to worship a tree that grew not far away from the grave of Booterek Ata and eventually this area became a mazar. During the Soviet period, a Russian man cut the tree down and he died.
The bubu Burul Kojobekova says: “Booterek Ata has a spring called Nariste (Child). Inside the spring, there are 124 prophet fathers and 328 babies. Then, at the base of the tree with the water of life, there is Chyi’yrdy, mother of Manas – she always sits there. When you go there, be hopeful and drop the dripping water onto your aching arms or legs – you will quickly recover”.   Top

Boom gorge. At the eastern end of the Kyrgyz Range - converging together through this narrow canyon are a highway, a railway, and the Chu River. Most people simply drive through and don«t stop - passing over «Red Bridge», which crosses the Chu river at the mid-point of the Gorge and onto Issyk-Kul. To the west from here you can see the Konorchok canyons.
The road is lined with statues of Snow Leopards Eagles and Stags and an occasional «pioneer». The Bishkek - Balykchi railway also travels through the gorge - rising high above the road, There are walls designed to prevent landslides cascading down onto the road below - but despite these, occasionally landslips do manage to close the road for a time.
The gorge offers plenty of opportunities for rafting, camping and trekking. It also offers possibilities for White Water Rafting.   Top

Bosteri. Bosteri is a village east of Cholpon-Ata, where many resorts and sanatoriums are concentrated. In the vicinity of the village, groups of mounds are still preserved from the very large pre-existing burial complexes. These mounds vary from one to another, some are made of soil, some from soil and rock, and others from stone. Some large mounds have a diameter of 30-50 m and are between 2-5 meters high. It is possible to come across petroglyphs where clusters of boulders are. Approximate dating of these monuments is VI century BC - VIII century BC. At the foothills of the terrace in the south of Bosteri village lies a medieval castle. The plan of which is rectangular and elongated along the line north - south. It is dated X-XII centuries.   Top

Kyrgyzstan travel