JALALABAD: A ROUTE TO THE HEART OF THE TURKIC WORLD
Kyrgyz city of Jalalabad has been selected as the “Tourism Capital of the Turkic World 2025”. With its tranquil atmosphere and deep history, this city offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural heritage of the Turkic World
Located at the foot of the Alatoo Mountains in the south of Kyrgyzstan, Jalalabad is on one of the old routes of the Silk Road. This historic road was not just a route carrying goods, but a crossroads of many different worlds, where various cultures and human communities met. Over the centuries, Jalalabad has embraced this diversity and developed a unique identity. Today, as you walk through the city streets, you follow the traces of the past step by step. Old mosques, madrasas, and stone buildings tell the stories of the people who once lived here. Every corner bears the traces of another culture.
ONCE OTTOMAN, NOW KYRGYZ SPIRIT
Jalalabad was one of the most important settlements in the region, located within the vast borders of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman influence can still be seen today in the mosques and old buildings of the city. However, not only does Jalalabad bear traces of the Ottoman Empire, but the influence of the Russian Empire is also evident in the city’s architecture. Walking through a city with traces of both the East and the West, you can feel how the different worlds of the past have merged.
IN THE DEPTHS OF KYRGYZ CULTURE
Jalalabad is a city that keeps the traditions of the Kyrgyz people alive. When you step into this land, the music, traditional crafts, and delicacies that surround you offer you the opportunity to take a journey into the depths of Kyrgyz culture. The Manas Epic is one of the most important works of the region and has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. Walking through the streets of Jalalabad, it is possible to see the traces of this epic. On the other hand, Kyrgyz cuisine is also a part of this culture; especially pilaf with meat and soups, which offer the spirit and hospitality of this land in the best way.
Jalalabad is not only rich in history and culture, it is also a city integrated with nature. Located at the foot of the Alatoo Mountains, this city is a paradise for nature lovers. Jalalabad’s hot springs are one of the natural treasures of this region.
ANOTHER JALALABAD IN 2025
The year 2025 will be a unique year for Jalalabad. With the title of Tourism Capital of the Turkic World, the city will host many cultural events. Festivals, traditional music, dances, handicrafts, and food of the Turkic World will give you the opportunity to explore every aspect of the city. At every step, you will meet a different culture, a different past, and feel like a part of the Turkic World.