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A path across the lawn leads to a white arch and a lakeside pavilion, a white chapel far to the right, sculptures all around
August 3, 2012 · Ruh Ordo cultural centre

Ruh Ordo cultural centre

Open-air museum by Issyk-Kul: chapels, sculptures and a pier on the shore.

  • 2002Complex founded
  • 9:00–19:00Daily
  • 350 somPrice since June 2024
  • July +21°, January +2°daytime
  • Cholpon-AtaOn the shore of Issyk-Kul
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

Stops in walking order

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

  1. The lake, a beach with holidaymakers and white buildings by the shore against layered mountains.July 6, 2017

    outside1 / 6

    Chapels by the lake

    outside

    Right by the shore stand five white chapels: two Christian ones, a mosque, a Buddhist one and a Jewish one. Mountains rise behind them.

  2. A white chapel with carved patterns on its walls and a cross on the spire, a tiled path and green lawn in frontAugust 3, 2012

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    Orthodox chapel

    outside

    A white chapel with carved patterns on its walls and a cross on the spire, one of the complex’s five chapels.

  3. A white chapel with a pointed turret above red paving, a stone statue on a pedestal to the rightAugust 3, 2012

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    Chapel with a statue

    outside

    Another white chapel with a lancet window and a turret; on the right a stone statue stands on a pedestal.

  4. A panel with a man’s portrait and the inscription “The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years” under a white pediment, a fountain with a sphere in frontAugust 3, 2012

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    Panel under the pediment

    outside

    A large panel with a man’s portrait and the words “The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years”, the title of a novel by Chingiz Aitmatov.

  5. A stone sculpture of a man on a lawn, with a white chapel and trees behind it.August 3, 2012

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    Sculpture park

    outside

    Stone and bronze sculptures stand on the lawns; a white chapel can be seen behind them.

  6. A wooden pier with white railings and lamps stretches into the lake, white tents on the water in the distanceAugust 3, 2012

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    Pier on the lake

    outside

    A wooden pier with white railings runs out into Issyk-Kul; white marquees can be seen on the water in the distance.

History by date

  1. 2002Complex founded

    A cultural complex is built on the shore of Issyk-Kul.

  2. 2007Open to visitors

    The open-air museum begins welcoming visitors.

  3. 2008
    Aitmatov’s name

    The centre is named after Chingiz Aitmatov.

  4. 2018International summit

    On 3 September the centre hosts the VI summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States.

  5. 2024Mudflow and entry fee

    On 12 August a mudflow flooded the grounds; in June the entry fee dropped from 500 to 350 som.

Four seasons

How the place looks at different times of year.

  1. Spring

    March–May

    April: about 11° by day, about 7° at night; it’s still cool by the water.

  2. August 3, 2012

    Summer

    June–August

    July: about 21° by day, about 17° at night; the beach is busy with holidaymakers.

  3. Autumn

    September–November

    October: about 11° by day, about 8° at night; you’ll need a warm jacket.

  4. Winter

    December–February

    January: about 2° by day, about 0° at night; in winter, hours are cut to 17:00.

Where it is

Address
Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul shore
From the base
≈1.2 km as the crow flies · Cholpon-Ata
Coordinates
42.6478° N, 77.0957° E
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Opening times and etiquette

Hours and prices

Opening hours
9:00–19:00Daily check for your date

Hours change, especially in winter and on holidays. In winter until 17:00. Check the hours before your trip.

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.

Etiquette

  • Ticket. Entry costs 350 som (price since June 2024). Check the price for foreigners at the ticket office.
  • Shoes. Comfortable shoes for walking around the park and on the tiles by the water.

Check on site

  • Opening hours and closing time on the day of your visit by phone or in map apps
  • Entry price for foreigners and guided tour cost at the ticket office
  • Photo rules inside the chapels and halls the administration

What to bring

  • Water
  • Hat

Ruh Ordo cultural centre in photos

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

  1. August 3, 2012
  2. August 3, 2012
  3. August 3, 2012
  4. August 3, 2012
  5. August 3, 2012
  6. August 3, 2012
  7. August 3, 2012
  8. August 3, 2012
  9. August 3, 2012
  10. August 3, 2012
  11. July 6, 2017
Kyrgyz SeasonsPlanning a trip?Ask about a triphello@kyrgyzseasons.com

Guides and ready-made itineraries

Pages that include this place in a guide or itinerary.

Routes and programmes

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