population: 0.068 million

extension: 44.3 square kilometers

Museums

If you're interested in museums, you may want to visit the Karakol Historical Museum, which offers exhibits on the history and culture of the region. Another nearby museum is the Issyk-Kul Regional Museum in Cholpon-Ata, which has a collection of artifacts related to the history and ecology of Issyk-Kul Lake and its surrounding area.

Food

Karakol is known for its delicious and unique traditional Kyrgyz cuisine. Here are some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to try according to local people:

1. Beshbarmak - boiled meat (usually lamb or beef) served over homemade noodles with onion sauce.
2. Laghman - hand-pulled noodle soup with vegetables and meat (usually beef or lamb).
3. Manti - steamed dumplings stuffed with minced meat (usually lamb or beef) and onions.
4. Kuurdak - fried meat (usually lamb or beef) with potatoes and onions.
5. Samsa - baked pastry with a savory filling (usually meat or pumpkin).
6. Shashlik - marinated skewered meat (usually lamb or beef) cooked over charcoal.
7. Chuchuk - spicy sausage made from horse meat.
8. Kymyz - fermented mare's milk, which is a traditional drink in Kyrgyzstan.

These are just a few examples of the delicious dishes you can try in Karakol, but there are many other unique and interesting foods to discover as well!

Activities

Karakol is a great place to experience the local Kyrgyz culture and traditions. Some fun activities that locals enjoy include:

1. Visiting the Karakol Animal Market (Sunday Bazaar) to see traditional Kyrgyz livestock trading and buy local products.
2. Going on a horseback ride through the surrounding mountains and valleys.
3. Taking a dip in the hot springs at Altyn Arashan, which is located about 25 kilometers from Karakol.
4. Enjoying traditional Kyrgyz food at local restaurants, such as lagman (noodle soup), plov (pilaf), and manty (steamed dumplings).
5. Exploring the city's historical sites, including the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Dungan Mosque, which was built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th century.