Rukh Ordo, Open-air cultural center in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.
Rukh Ordo is a 4.5-hectare cultural complex and open-air museum on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Cholpon-Ata. Its ten mini-museums include the House-Museum of Chingiz Aitmatov, a photo gallery, the Hall of Kyrgyz Art and Culture, Sayakbay Karalaev's gazebo and the Treasury of Knowledge. Five chapels represent Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Buddhism, and the grounds hold monuments to Aitmatov, Manaschi Sayakbay Karalaev and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Tashkul Kereksizov founded the complex in 2002; it first opened to visitors in 2007. In 2008 a private company bought it and named it after the Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, whose memorial house stands on the grounds. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited in 2018.
The complex takes its name from the Kyrgyz words for "Spirits' Center." Its five chapels represent Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Buddhism; the Christian faith has two separate chapels, Orthodox and Catholic. The grounds also hold a gazebo named for manaschi Sayakbay Karalaev and monuments to Chinghiz Aitmatov and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The complex occupies 4.5 hectares on the lake's northern shore in Cholpon-Ata, with the concert hall's stage opening onto a view of Issyk-Kul. Guided excursions are organized on the grounds, and the site hosts festivals, exhibitions and national and international events. Ten mini-museums and five chapels stand close together, so allow time to walk between them.
The grounds feature a granite sphere symbolizing science and statues of Kyrgyz khans set among the temples and museums. An informational exhibit displays the family tree of Turkic tribes, connecting ancient heritage with modern understanding.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,975 contributors worldwide.