Ala-Archa National Park

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Ala-Archa National Park, National park in Chuy Region, Kyrgyzstan

Ala-Archa is a national park on the northern flank of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too range, covering 2280 hectares between 1600 and 4860 meters in elevation. The terrain combines alpine meadows, coniferous forests, rocky ridges, and patches of permanent snow and glacial ice.

The park was established in 1976 to protect the natural landscapes of the Tian Shan and preserve alpine ecosystems for future generations. Its creation reflected growing recognition of the need to safeguard mountainous regions from overuse.

The park's name comes from the Kyrgyz word 'archa' for juniper, a tree that holds spiritual importance in local mountain traditions.

The site offers 150 climbing routes and various hiking paths that remain accessible throughout the year. An on-site nature museum provides information about the local flora, fauna, and mountain geology.

The area contains roughly 20 glaciers and more than 50 mountain peaks, including the Semenov-Tian-Shansky Peak at around 4900 meters. This concentration of ice masses and summits makes it a remarkable destination for glacier study and high-altitude mountaineering in Central Asia.

Location: Chuy Region

Inception: April 29, 1976

Part of: Tianshan Mountains

Website: https://alaarchapark.kg

GPS coordinates: 42.54752,74.48456

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02

Photogenic locations in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan offers photographers mountains, lakes and historic structures. The landscape ranges from the peaks of the Terskey Alatau Mountains to the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. In Ala Archa National Park, hiking trails lead through narrow valleys to glaciers such as Ak-Sai. Son-Kul Lake sits at over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) and is used by herders in summer. The Altyn-Arashan Valley draws visitors with hot springs, while Skazka Canyon stands out for its colored rock formations. Cultural sites include Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret that marks a former city. Tash Rabat Caravanserai served as lodging for Silk Road travelers. In Osh, Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain is considered holy, with caves and mosques. The Dungan Mosque in Karakol displays Chinese wooden architecture. Petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata and Saimaluu Tash document early human settlements. Arslanbob Walnut Forest spreads across hills and valleys. These places combine natural beauty with the history of the region.

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« Ala-Archa National Park - National park in Chuy Region, Kyrgyzstan » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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