Vladimir Commissarov

The Yurt, a nomad's tent made of felt is the traditional abode of the nomads of Central Asia from ancient times to modern day. This home has spread from the Caspian Sea in the West to Mongolia in the East and from the north of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan in south Central Asia.

The design of the yurt is consistent throughout the world and represents the perfection of nomadic architecture and handmade folk art.

The yurt is splendidly adapted to the nomadic lifestyle- versatility and simplicity in its design, speed in its construction and breaking down, ease of transport, the use of natural materials, and its all-season quality. These are inherent facts of the yurt. It consists of a wooden framework, which is covered in felt. The skeleton of the framework fans out from several folding lattices, which form the vertical walls, and are situated in a circular shape. Towards the lattice, support beams slope down from a center point to form the frame of the roof and act as supports of the yurt's dome. The doorframe is fixed in place by joint lattices, on which a re hinged double canvas doors. The walls are first covered with a mat, but later both the walls and the roof a re covered in different sizes and shapes of felt. The size of the yurt is determined by the amount of lattices.

The furnishings of the yurt are highly colorful and functional. The floor is made of felt rugs (shirdakand ala kiiz). Since the yurt as a rule contains a whole family, a greater amount of attention is paid toward properly utilizing and arranging such a small space. It is divided into five parts. The "Tor" the area opposite from the entryway is the most honorable and is intended for honored guests and senior men of the family. Here trunks run along the wall with personal belongings and piles of blankets, rugs and clothing. To the left of the entryway (zr zhak) of a yurt is the mens' quarters. Young, middle aged and sometimes newly weds gather in this area.

To the right of the doorway is the women's area (epchi zhak). Small mats are spread out here, where kitchen utensils and foodstuffs are stored. The other part of the yurt beside the entryway (ulaga) is intended for storing horse equipment and other household articles. And, finally the center of the yurt is reserved for the hearth or stove. The yurt is a very suitable and functional home. In the heat it is cool, but in the cold, it holds in the heat beautifully, ideal for the nomadic lifestyle. The only way to possibly understand the Kyrgyzy people and their origin is to spend a night in a yurt.

TOURISM IN KYRGYZSTAN began developing after independence in 1991. Infrastructure and the lack of accommodations away from the cities were a challenge. Striving to develop tourism properly, taking into full account Kyrgyzstan's national beauty, tour operators have created a network of Yurt Inns throughout Kyrgyzstan. Today, along the major routes of the Great Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan, Yurt Inns and Yurt Bed and Breakfasts are being opened. They are set up so that it's possible to travel across all of Kyrgyzstan and stay every night exclusively in yurts. The same goes for Kyrgystan's major tourism centers where yurt accommodation is equally offered, responding to the expectations of visitors from all over the world. For the same rate as an ordinary hotel would charge, you may chose between sleeping on a cot or in the traditional style on felt rugs, as nomads have lived for ages. A few days days of life in a yurt leave an indelible impression on the traveler able to appreciate life of the nomade amidst untouched nature.

At present, eighteen Yurt EJotels operate in Kyrgyzstan, plus a wide variety of B&B style yurts. Yurt Inns can be found in a variety of places in Kyrgyzstan: around Lake Issyk-Ku! there are 5 hotels; Lake Son-Kul has 4 hotels; as well as Suusamyr, Naryn, Tash-Rabat, Chichkan, Sarychelek, Talas, Alay Valley, At-Bashi and a few other places. Accommodations in a Yurt Inn can be booked with tour operators in Kyrgyzstan, as well as over the internet on the website for tourism in Kyrgyzstan, at