You say potato and I say patahto. You say tomato and I say tomahto. Patato, tomahto, Patato, tomahto, let’s call the whole thing off. Anyone remember that snappy tune with Ella and Satchmo? Probably not, as you’re probably way too young to remember them or any of this, to be honest. Sigh. Now, you’re probably scratching your head wondering what sedatives the editor has taken to conjure up this post, or at least the title.
But, there is purpose here. Imagine you have booked a fine holiday in Pishpek, the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. You dutifully booked your flights, your hotel and your activities and, at the very end of your purchase, you see that your ticket says Bishkek. Besides nearly having an aneurysm, you begin to fret and go into panic mode that leads you to ensuring that you – at the very least – have a place to sleep that night – and even more worrisome – what will happen if you don’t speak the language of either place.
Well, we’re here to calm your frantic mind. Happily, Pishpek and Bishkek are the same place. Bishkek (Kyrgyz: Бишкек, IPA: [biʃˈkek]; Russian: Бишкек), formerly Pishpek and Frunze, is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is also the administrative centre of the Chüy Region. The region surrounds the city, although the city itself is not part of the region but rather a region-level unit of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated near the border with Kazakhstan and has a population of 1,074,075, as of 2021. Bishkek is the primate city of Kyrgyzstan—it is the sole metropolis in the country, and about 17% of all inhabitants of the country live in Bishkek’s metropolitan area.
It’s a city of wide boulevards and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks surrounding interior courtyards. There are also thousands of smaller, privately built houses, mostly outside the city centre. Streets follow a grid pattern – which is convenient for tourists – with most flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels, which provide water to trees which provide shade during the hot summers. This bodes well for having a nice, calm and peaceful trip.
Rail to Bishkek is usually through Moscow. OMIO can get you there. Click here to book.
Stay at the delightful and modern Hotel Lulu. Hotel Lulu offers accommodation in Bishkek with an on-site restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property. The central square is a 5-minute drive away. All air-conditioned rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some rooms have a seating area where you can relax. You will find a kettle and a minibar in the room. Bathroom comes with a shower, bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer. Click here to book.
Lots to see and do in Bishkek courtesy of GetYourGuide. Click here to explore.
Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto – Pishpek, Bishkek … let’s call the whole thing off. Rest in peace, you two. We miss you.