Karakol

Karakol is the gateway to the eastern Tian Shan, perched on the southeastern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake at 1,770 m altitude. Founded in 1869 as a Russian frontier garrison, it preserves a wooden Holy Trinity Orthodox cathedral built without a single nail, an unusual Dungan mosque resembling a Chinese pagoda, and the Przhevalsky museum honouring the 19th-century explorer. The Sunday animal bazaar is one of Central Asia's largest. Karakol is the launching point for treks to Ala-Kol Lake, Altyn-Arashan hot springs, and the Jeti-Oguz red rocks.