MIR Corporation's Travel Blog:
Chinese Turkestan & Central Asia
Andrew Barron, MIR's Director of Scheduled Group Tours, visits the ancient Silk Road in Western China and the 'Stans with the Chinese Turkestan & Central Asia scheduled group tour. Read about his journey from Almaty to Urumqi, Kashgar and Bishkek. 
Day 9: Bishkek - Tightrope
May 21, 2008
I spent today in Bishkek. Wandering around the area near the hotel I easily mixed with the crowds taking care of their shopping and errands, and the city radiated a peaceful calm. For travelers exercising a normal level of street smarts, Central Asia is a safe and welcoming place; the ethnic mix of people in the capitals, and the cities' modern feel make a casual stroll a great way to familiarize yourself with them. Dinner tonight was a great traditional Kyrgyz meal, at a really interesting outdoor restaurant. The food was delicious, and included a regional favorite, beshparmak, meat with noodles whose name comes from the words for "five fingers." We did eat it with a fork and knife though. The folk performances were well done during this meal, and were more than singing groups with traditional instruments; about half-way through our meal a high-wire act was set up in the courtyard and drew a huge crowd of locals along with the diners finishing up dinner.
Photos from this leg of the tour:
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