With pristine waters surrounded by stunning scenery, Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central Asia. Every year, hordes of Kazakh and Russian tourists flock to the lake to bask on its sandy shores, avail of its excellent spa facilities, and go on treks in the surrounding Tien Shan Mountains.
Kyrgyzstan's Lake Issyk-Kul

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The Aurora sanatorium beside Lake Issyk Kul

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The peculiar eroded land formations of the nearby "Canyon of Wonders" are a popular trekking destination for tourists.

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Besides tourism, many locals earn a livelihood fishing the lakes deep waters.