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A white museum building with blue windows and entrance, with trimmed bushes in front of the façade.
05/08/2019 · Merchant’s house

Karakol History Museum

Issyk-Kul history in a merchant’s house: archaeology, crafts and nomadic life.

  • Late 19th c.Former merchant’s house
  • ≈10:00–16:00check for your date
  • About 14 thousandAt reopening
  • 45–60 minFor the museum collections
  • KarakolJamansariev Street
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a trip

What to see

4 stops in visit order

The list on the left follows the chapters as you scroll. Tap a photo to enlarge it.

  1. A white museum building with blue windows and entrance, with trimmed bushes in front of the façade.05.08.2019

    outside1 / 4

    Merchant’s house

    outside

    The façade in August 2019: pale walls, light-blue windows and a red sign above the porch.

    Next: Arched porch →
  2. An angled view of the white museum with a light-blue entrance and shrubs along the façade.05.08.2019

    outside2 / 4

    Arched porch

    outside

    Porch and windows in 2019, before reconstruction. The view from the right corner clearly shows the façade’s decoration.

    Next: Yurt and crafts →
  3. A model yurt and everyday objects in a museum room, with fabrics and carpets on the walls.06.08.2019

    hall3 / 4

    Yurt and crafts

    hall

    The ethnographic room in 2019: a model yurt, wall textiles, a saddle and musical instruments.

    Next: Wildlife →
  4. Taxidermy animals and birds in a bright museum room, with display cases along the walls.06.08.2019

    hall4 / 4

    Wildlife

    hall

    The nature room in 2019: taxidermy animals and birds stand on light-blue bases.

    Next History in 5 dates ↓

History

History in 5 dates

  1. 19th centuryMerchant’s house

    The late-19th-century house later became a museum.

  2. 1948Museum opened

    The house officially opened as a museum.

  3. 2019Façade and rooms

    August photos preserved views of the building, ethnographic display and nature room before reconstruction.

  4. 16 Feb 2026Reconstruction begins

    Reconstruction work began at the museum.

  5. 21 Aug 2026Opening after renovation

    The museum opened after façade and utility upgrades and repair and restoration work.

Seasons

Karakol History Museum: four seasons

How the site looks across the seasons. Monthly temperatures in Karakol: averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Spring

    March–May

    The museum’s grey roof and paths before the entrance are clearly visible from above.

    • MarchKarakol +5° / −5°
    • AprilKarakol +10° / 0°
    • MayKarakol +15° / +4°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    Green shrubs frame the pale façade and light-blue windows.

    • JuneKarakol +18° / +8°
    • JulyKarakol +21° / +11°
    • AugustKarakol +20° / +10°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    Yellow foliage sets off the pale façade and light-blue windows.

    • SeptemberKarakol +17° / +6°
    • OctoberKarakol +9° / −1°
    • NovemberKarakol +2° / −8°

  4. Winter

    December–February

    A thin layer of snow highlights the paths and the outline of the white building.

    • DecemberKarakol −2° / −11°
    • JanuaryKarakol −3° / −13°
    • FebruaryKarakol 0° / −10°

Where it is

Location
Karakol, Issyk-Kul Region
From the centre
≈100 m from central Karakol
Elevation
1,760 m
Coordinates
42.49° N, 78.39° E

Included in these guides

Open in Maps

Plan your visit

Walking directions and opening hours

Getting there on foot

  1. ≈0.1 km as the crow flies

    From the centre: Karakol

    On foot or by taxi

  2. Address

    Karakol, Jamansariev Street, near Orozov Street

Hours and prices

Opening hours
≈10:00–16:00
Time needed
45–60 min

check for your date Hours change, especially in winter and on holidays.

Check in advance

  • Admission fee
  • Visit duration
  • Current photography rules
  • Toilets and step-free entrance
  • Availability of the Ella Maillart exhibition

Check on site

  • Hours for your date at the entrance
  • Whether indoor photography is allowed at the entrance
  • Hours on your visit day ask museum staff
  • Ticket price and payment method ask museum staff
  • Which rooms are open ask museum staff
  • Whether indoor photography is allowed ask museum staff
  • Whether there is a step-free entrance ask museum staff
  • Whether the audio guide is available ask museum staff

What to bring

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Keep planning

Guides and ready-made itineraries

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Included in guides

Routes and programmes

All photos

Karakol History Museum in photos

Real photos, each with the date it was taken. Tap or click to enlarge.

  1. 05.08.2019
  2. 05.08.2019
  3. 06.08.2019
  4. 06.08.2019
  5. 28.04.2023