Get app
Photo: Vilya Shoni, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.Embark on an exciting journey to Central Asia! Test your knowledge on the spectacular mountains, rich nomadic traditions, and ancient history of beautiful Kyrgyzstan.
Mountain Wanderer 0–4 · Yurt Neighbor 5–8 · Peak Explorer 9–10
Pick one
The majestic Tian Shan mountain system dominates the landscape of Kyrgyzstan, earning the country the nickname 'Switzerland of Central Asia.' This range features stunning peaks, glaciers, and deep alpine valleys. Jengish Chokusu, standing at 7,439 meters, is the highest peak in the country.
Photo: Maryliflower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pick one
The Epic of Manas is the cornerstone of Kyrgyz identity and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Containing over half a million lines, it is one of the longest epic poems in history. It tells the story of Manas uniting various nomadic tribes to defend their homeland.
Pick one
Beshbarmak means 'five fingers', because the meat and noodles were traditionally eaten by hand. The noodle dough is rolled out very thin and cut into wide, flat pieces, and the dish comes with a warm onion sauce called chyk.
Photo: Pannet, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pick one
Bishkek was renamed Frunze in 1926 to honor Mikhail Frunze, a prominent Bolshevik military commander who was born there. The city reclaimed its historical name, Bishkek, in 1991 as Kyrgyzstan gained independence. Interestingly, the city's airport code (FRU) still reflects the Soviet-era name.
Photo: Aitenir, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Pick one
In Kyrgyzstan, a yurt is traditionally called 'boz uy,' which translates to 'grey house' due to the color of the natural felt. It is a masterpiece of nomadic engineering, designed to be easily assembled and dismantled. The wooden crown at the top, called the tunduk, is so iconic that it is featured on the national flag.
Photo: Myrzabek Ozubekov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pick one
Kyrgyzstan was one of the first former Soviet republics to introduce its own national currency, the som, in May 1993. The word 'som' historically means 'pure' or 'solid' in Turkic languages, referring to solid gold coins. The currency is divided into 100 tyiyn.
Photo: National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
Pick one
Kurmanjan Datka was a remarkable statesman and military leader who ruled the Alay region in the 19th century. She negotiated peacefully with the Russian Empire to ensure the survival of her people, earning immense respect across Central Asia. Today, her portrait is featured on the 50-som banknote.
Photo: The original uploader was Hux at English Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
Pick one
Despite lying about 1,600 metres up in the mountains, Issyk-Kul rarely freezes, thanks to its slightly salty water and great depth of up to about 670 metres. That is why its name means 'warm lake' in Kyrgyz. It is the second-largest mountain lake in the world, after Lake Titicaca in South America.
Photo: Қайырқан Әсем, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Pick one
Built in the 11th century by the Karakhanids, the Burana Tower originally stood about 45 meters tall before a major earthquake in the 15th century destroyed its upper half. Today, it stands at 24 meters and is surrounded by 'balbals,' which are ancient, detailed stone grave markers.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Pick one
Kok boru, also known as ulak tartysh, means 'blue wolf'. It is a thrilling, fast-paced team game that takes amazing horsemanship: riders battle for a goat carcass and try to throw it into the other team's goal. Today it is one of the highlights of the World Nomad Games.
Photo: US gov, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
Paste the code into your page. The player fits itself in, and every vote counts in Votur.
On WordPress, Ghost or Squarespace? Just paste the link of this page into your post.
This is how it looks
Also fun
