Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
#672
42.877789, 74.606692
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bishkek is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan, characterized by Soviet-era architecture and proximity to the Tian Shan mountains. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 1,000,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average speed of 25 Mbps, with some providers offering up to 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 85 KGS (Kyrgyz Som); major banks include Optima Bank and Kyrgyzstan Bank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally drinkable, but it is recommended to use filtered water. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Beeline, MegaCom, and O! with affordable prepaid options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; ATMs available in urban areas. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels, hostels, to short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Growing acceptance of cards, but cash is still commonly used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental agencies offer various options; average price around $20/night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Alpinist offers beds starting from $10/night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Kaktus Co-Working Space provides a vibrant atmosphere and high-speed internet. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Osh Bazaar Cafe offers a quiet environment and good coffee for remote workers. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups organized through local Facebook groups and expat communities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat Kyrgyzstan hosts regular gatherings for networking and socializing. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yandex Taxi is the most popular ride-hailing service. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local companies offer bike rentals; check out GoBike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Issyk-Kul Lake is approximately 4 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Manas provides flights to regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Aeroflot and Air Astana operate frequent international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Key highways include M41 connecting Bishkek to Almaty, Kazakhstan. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bishkek Railway Station serves domestic and limited international routes. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses and marshrutkas (minibuses) are commonly used; no digital pass system. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and shared taxis are available to nearby cities like Karakol and Osh. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Central Clinical Hospital is the largest and provides comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Bishkek offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness City has modern facilities starting from $25/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat near Ala-Too Square offers self-service and drop-off options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodmandu is widely used for delivering local cuisine. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Beshbarmak, a traditional dish made with boiled meat and pasta. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Sirota Cafe specializes in vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Osh Bazaar has many stalls for trying traditional sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Green Market offers fresh produce and local goods at low prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Ozon.kg is the leading online shopping platform. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Dostavka.kg provides grocery delivery services across Bishkek. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Ala-Too Square and the area around it has vibrant bars and restaurants. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bishkek Beer Company offers tours and tastings of local brews. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Kapital Wine Bar has a selection of local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Check out the various stalls at the Dordoy Bazaar for local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Tandoor serves delicious Indian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Ala-Too Square and the State Historical Museum. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The State Museum of Fine Arts showcases local artists. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Osh Bazaar is not only a market but also a historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Holy Resurrection Cathedral is a notable landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Spring equinox celebrations and local music festivals. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old Town area has preserved its historical vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Ala-Too Theatre hosts various performances year-round. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Dordoy Bazaar is famous for textiles and handicrafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at Panorama Bar and other venues. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals can be found throughout the city, particularly in the Old Town. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Kyrgyz Cooking School offers hands-on local cuisine courses. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Museum of Contemporary Art features local and international artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The former Lenin Monument is a historic site in the city. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kyrgyz culture is rich with nomadic traditions and folklore. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Ala Archa National Park is just a short drive from the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Jalal-Abad National Park offers beautiful landscapes and hiking trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Walking paths along Ala-Too Square and city parks. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoints near the Ala-Too Mountains provide stunning panoramas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Syr Darya Riverbanks are good spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in Ala Archa allow for bonfires in designated zones. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Kyrgyz Post and DHL offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Service Bishkek provides electronics repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Bishkek is a popular local spot. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language Exchange clubs meet in various cafes around the city. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of Kyrgyzstan is quiet and suitable for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Locals gather at the Central Pavilion for cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Zone Bishkek offers a variety of gaming options. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Royal Casino is one of the popular venues in the city. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $40,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $72,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $96,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 10% for small businesses, 20% for larger corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency-based tax system; income earned abroad is not taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 10% for incomes exceeding KGS 1,200,000 annually. |
| 🧾 VAT | 12% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No specific CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the cadastral value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate on property purchases. |