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The road passes through a green mountain valley, with snowy peaks visible in the distance behind the gentle slopes.
Kemin

Kemin

Updated How we check facts

A town on the Chu River on the way to Issyk-Kul, with a bus station and a railway station.

  • ≈109 km from BishkekAbout 1.5 h by car
  • Bus and rail stationsBishkek–Balykchy line
  • 6 places nearby35 to 76 km away
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

6 places from the centre outwards

Start with places you can walk to, then roads out of town. The map shows the route from the centre to the place you are viewing.

  1. Neighbourhoods of low houses and green gardens stretch towards a mountain range, with streets between them.April 26, 2023

    ≈35 km along the road1 / 6

    Tokmok

    By car, about 35 kmAll year round, by day

    The district centre nearby: a museum, monuments and a bus station. From here people go to Burana Tower and the Balasagun site.

    Place page →

  2. Low rectangular brick foundations of ancient buildings lie among the grass of the old town site.September 25, 2023

    ≈43 km along the road2 / 6

    Burana Tower

    By car, about 43 kmWeather permitting

    The brick minaret of the Balasagun site, about 25 m tall; nearby are stone statues and the complex’s museum.

    Place page →

  3. From above, the ancient town’s earth ramparts and paths can be seen among flat green fields.June 11, 2015

    ≈44 km along the road3 / 6

    Balasagun

    By car, about 44 kmWeather permitting

    Ruins of one of the Karakhanid capitals around Burana Tower. Part of the UNESCO “Silk Roads” site since 2014.

    Place page →

  4. Curving red canyon walls surround a stony floor with sparse shrubs.May 8, 2021

    ≈44 km along the road4 / 6

    Kok-Moynok canyons

    By car, about 44 kmMay–October, in dry weather

    Red clay canyons by the Chu River on the way to Issyk-Kul: trails along dry gullies and views from above. The clay turns soggy after rain.

    Place page →

  5. A green field with low earthen wall remains and a snowy mountain range in the distance.June 11, 2015

    ≈65 km along the road5 / 6

    Navekat ancient city site

    By car, about 65 kmMay–September

    Ruins of a Silk Road town near the village of Krasnaya Rechka: a citadel and two shahristans. Part of a UNESCO site since 2014.

    Place page →

  6. An aerial view of town blocks and roads beside the lake, with a mountain range beyond the town.April 27, 2023

    ≈76 km along the road6 / 6

    Balykchy

    By car, about 76 kmAll year round, by day

    A town on the lake’s western edge. Roads from Bishkek, to both shores and towards Naryn meet here; there is a railway station.

    Place page →

Map

Kemin: four seasons

Things to do in and around town throughout the year. Monthly temperatures are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.

  1. Spring

    March–May

    Days from +10 °C in March to +21 °C in May, nights from −2 to +8 °C.

    • MarchKemin +10° / −2°
    • AprilKemin +16° / +3°
    • MayKemin +21° / +8°

  2. Summer

    June–August

    Days +24…+27 °C, nights +12…+14 °C.

    • JuneKemin +24° / +12°
    • JulyKemin +27° / +14°
    • AugustKemin +26° / +13°

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    Days from +22 °C in September to +7 °C in November, nights from +9 to −6 °C.

    • SeptemberKemin +22° / +9°
    • OctoberKemin +15° / +2°
    • NovemberKemin +7° / −6°

  4. Winter

    December–February

    Days around +2…+5 °C, nights down to −11 °C.

    • DecemberKemin +2° / −10°
    • JanuaryKemin +2° / −11°
    • FebruaryKemin +5° / −9°

Where it is

Location
Chuy Region
Coordinates
42.78° N, 75.69° E
Open in Maps

Getting here and getting around town

How to get there

  • From Bishkek

    ≈1.5 h

    On the Issyk-Kul highway via Tokmok, about 109 km by road. The railway to Balykchy also passes through; check times for your date.

  • From Karakol

    about 5 h

    Via Balykchy, about 296 km by road. Check marshrutka times and fares for your date.

Getting around town

  • On foot. The centre is walkable: the bus and railway stations are close. Take a taxi to the canyons and Burana Tower.

Contact and help

112 single emergency number

  • 101 fire and rescue
  • 102 police
  • 103 ambulance

You can call 112 with a local SIM or without one.

Check in advance

  • Marshrutka and train times from Bishkek and Balykchy
  • Hotel name and address
  • Transport back after the trip
  • Mobile network coverage

Check on site

  • Road conditions and transport back At your accommodation
  • Price and availability Accommodation host

Kemin in photos

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

  1. May 8, 2021
  2. April 26, 2023
  3. April 27, 2023
  4. June 11, 2015
  5. June 11, 2015
  6. September 25, 2023
  7. April 26, 2023
  8. June 8, 2024

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Included in guides

Routes and programmes

Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

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