A landlocked country in central Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful lakes but is the furthest nation from any sea.
Kyrgyzstan is a small but highly mountainous country nestled in eastern Central Asia, bordered by China on the east and south, Kazakhstan on the north and Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the south and west.
When picturing a country furthest from sea, a dry, arid desert may spring to mind yet this couldn’t be more untrue. Famous for its dramatic snowy mountains, serene lakes and beautiful nature, Kyrgyzstan is oozing with culture and outdoor activities.
Set at a distance of 1,620 miles away from the nearest coastline, which is the Indian Ocean, the Asian nation is labelled as the “country of inaccessibility”.
However, the “point of inaccessibility” is the exact spot within a country furthest from any ocean, which is different. This lies in the Dzungarian Basin, in North-West China.
Kyrgyzstan is home to some of the world’s most incredible lakes where visitors can enjoy water sports such as kayaking, paddle-boarding and swimming. Song-Kul is one known remote alpine lake in the centre of the country surrounded by breathtaking scenery with a peaceful atmosphere.
A more accessible, but equally gorgeous, lake is Issyk-Kul – the world’s second largest Alpine lake. With crystal clear waters and vast stretches of golden sandy beaches surrounding it, the unique destination more than compensates for the lack of ocean.
Despite being surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lake never freezes because of its salt levels.
Other immersive activities include hiking around the snow covered mountains, birdwatching trips or wildlife safaris to spot some of the world’s rarest animals. Brown bears, wild pigs, lynxes, grey wolves and ermines can be spotted along the more mountainous regions alongside mountain goats and even snow leopards.
For those seeking a more historic visit, tourists can stroll through the ruins of cities with reconstructed buildings now bursting with life – there are also merchant trails that have been in use for over 1,200 years.
