Thread 2825169

I want to visit here. Mainly Kazakhstan, but I'd like to eventually see all of them.
What do I need to know in order to prepare myself? I'm an American who's only traveled in first world, highly English-speaking western countries before.
Are these countries cheap? What are the must see places? Do I need a tour guide? Are the cities as lively as the western world? How strict Muslim are they? Is it possible to pick up chicks here?

if a brother of a young woman will see you looking at her for more than 2 seconds he will stab you and cut off your head.

>>2825169 (OP)
>Are these countries cheap?
Mostly yes, except Kazakhstan.
>What are the must see places?
Just look up the must-sees for each country.
>Do I need a tour guide?
For Turkmenistan yes, you're not allowed in on your own.
>Are the cities as lively as the western world?
Some are. The bigger cities have a lot of nightlife and clubs.
>How strict Muslim are they?
Not at all, except for not eating pork.
>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?
Only foreigners, not locals.

>>2825169 (OP)
I've only been to UZ/KG/KZ.

>Are these countries cheap?
Define cheap. They're vastly cheaper than the American stans, that's for sure.
In terms of how expensive shit is, KZ >>> KG > UZ. No idea about the other three.
>What are the must see places?
Google nigga, google
>Do I need a tour guide?
No. Except for Turkmenistan (no other way to get a visa) and possibly Afghanistan (who the fuck even knows any more what's legal and what'll get you in trouble)
>Are the cities as lively as the western world?
Yeah, they're fine. Tashkent and Almaty are very lively and modern in the post-Soviet sense. Bishkek is ok too though there's less new development. Smaller cities can be sleepy with some touristy exceptions (eg. Bucchara)
>How strict Muslim are they?
Uzbekistan, not particularly. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan you wouldn't even be able to tell they're muslim if not for the occasional mosque. I've met a grand total of one zealot in KG and the guy turned out to be a Protestant convert, kek.
>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?
Pic related. Whether you'll survive the pick up attempt is a different matter.

>>2825169 (OP)
If you wanted to live in the middle of nowhere would these be the place?

>>2826694
If your end goal is to die because the nearest hospital was three hours away, that's Kazakhstan. Half the country is what happens when you press "New Map" in a level editor and leave it at that.
The other stans aren't exactly packed but they're still more densely populated since they have to make use of the little non-desert, non-mountain terrain they have.

As an American accustomed to small town living and big open spaces, Kazakhstan looks very comfy. The motel on the edge of this town charges $15/night for a pleasant room, according to reviewers.

Just returned from a short trip from Russia to Kazakhstan (Uralsk). Outside the main street, it's a shithole, similar to how provincial Russia was 20 or so years ago. Maybe Astana or Almaty are better, I don't know, but don't have much desire to go there in the near future. The road itself was an interesting experience, though.

>>2828159
I think you go to these countries for nature anon....
I am certainly bumping this thread though, I would love to visit Mongolia and Kazakhstan, in 2026 I am visiting Kyrgyzstan for a 10 day motorbike tour with 5 friends which should be insanely fun (yes I know how to ride a bike)

In regards to Mongolia and Kazachstan, are these countries you need a guide in? they seem difficult to just book a hostel and go from there as they are so vast. especially when visiting the Gobi Desert etc. I would also love to visit the tulip fields in Kazakhstan this book I am currently reading as really sold them to me. I really hate visiting cities in countries for longer then a few days so I just want to get out into nature but it seems like a difficult thing to do.

>Are these countries cheap?
Cheap to stay sometimes expensive to move around (if you're not keen on sharing transportation)
>What are the must see places?
Silk Road cities, steppe, mountains & post-Soviet cities if you're that way inclined
>Do I need a tour guide?
Not outside Turkmenistan
>Are the cities as lively as the western world?
No, outside of Almaty, Astana, Bishkek and Tashkent it's mostly people doing their own thing.
>How strict Muslim are they?
Not at all, you can get alcohol everywhere and pork in every bigger town.
>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?
Sure, but you wouldn't be asking here if you actually could.
Also wives > chicks

>>2828291
Yeah, people mostly visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for that mountainous region around Almaty and Bishkek. As for the cities, I don't think it's worth going to another country to see typical post-Soviet urban decay.

Basic Russian will go a long way in Kazakhstan.
People are friendly in Astana and Alamaty. But afraid/ unwilling to speak to foreigners because they know tourists only speak English and they don't.
The tourism industry is slowly shifting to western tourists, but the industry still primarily speaks Russian, 3-5 more years and the younger generations that speak english will move into the industry and things may change.

Astana is a very organized and planned out city, parks, galleries, promenades, museums, but some what sterile since it feels very governmental.

There is no McDonalds, but you can get a starbucks coffee, though it's super expensive comared to the local offerings. Food ranges from simple fare for maybe 1 or 2 dollars per meal to very fancy dining that might cost 25-50 dollars

Strangest thing ever while traveling through Kazakhstan was lack of salt or pepper or seasoning in certain meals. Most fast food joints don't even give salt or pepper packets. Even fine dining I had to ask for salt and pepper, Kazakh food fell not seasoned enough for my liking. Ended up going to a Magnum super market and got some salt, pepper, and "cajun" spice to keep in my backpack...

While Astana was almost a perfectly planned out city, Almaty was more organic. Very European. But more chaotic in terms of lay out. The parks are nice and have a pretty big war memorial.

There's one or two museums, The streets are interesting since there are streams running down culverts right beside every street is seems. Something to do with keeping humidity levels proper or for irrigation, don't remember...
There is a tiny subway system in Almaty, it's nice to get around. Tokens are valid for the day of purchase. They are maybe 50 cents or something like that. one Token per ride. If you buy extra tokens, but don't end up using them, they can be exchanged on Tuesday's for credit? I didn't care enough since they were so cheap.

I already mentioned that the Almaty feels more organic and European in city lay out compared to Astana, I feel it also applies to the people. People are also more laid back in Almaty and you will might have more locals try to interact with you.
If you're primarily a english speaker and looking to interact with locals; in Almaty I found a "only speak english bar/cafe" here patrons are "fined" for speaking in Russian to encourage speaking/practicing english. Might be worth checking out you want to get to know locals without needing to speak russian.

>>2831049
looks like alternative universe washington dc

The drinking situation in Kazakhstan is not a problem. Locals drink. They won't have a problem with you drinking. Depending on your age you might be able to talk with them. Been my experience that most locals currently over 25 years don't speak much if any English. If you speak russian and get friendly with locals, you might be challenged to an arm wrestling competition by the dudes. At least I was with 2 separate groups of people. I think it was all in good fun. Women will be intrigued but its a very conservative country, I never had any success, but your mileage may vary. Also they have security check you out at some bars and clubs. Never applied to me since I looked like a tourist. But while standing in line I noticed some people being turned away. Asked a local what that was about. Basically don't try to get into a fancy club dressed like a bum. Security tries to make sure you look like someone that will spend money.

Final note, if you end up in Kazakhstan. Go to a convenience store or supermarket and revel in the chip flavor selection. Lays over there are just something else!

>>2831045
>they don't season they food
Kazakhs are honorary whites

>>2831045
The food in the Stans is the fucking worst. Just bland, unspiced meat over and over again. Unless it's lagman, in which case every single place out there probably uses the same ready-made spice mix because it tastes exactly the same no matter the type or restaurant. There's no fucking variety to the food in general, it's an extremely poor and monotonous cuisine.
Beshbarmak in your pic is exceptionally awful too. It's possibly the most tasteless local delicacy I have ever tried.

>>2831285
Yep, I agree. Till I got the salt and pepper, every meal was somewhat bland. As for the beshbarmak, yeah had it once to tick a checkbox. And haven't craved it in 2 years.

Thanks American npc for your tragically boring blogpost about Kazakhstan

for uzbekistan, im planing to do a typical tourist tour tashkent, samarkand bukhara,khiva, nukus and to aral sea, two weeks, any recs
any

>>2831043
plov is so damn good. Especially Uzbek style plov with the little spicy meaty dolmas and quail eggs.
>>2831055
This, but I'd recommend pic-related more. They're little rye croutons and more popular with the locals. Xpyc Team brand are more chip like, if you can find them. But I loved these meat jelly and horseradish flavored ones the most.

here's a picture of a cat I saw crawl out of a gutter in Dushanbe

>>2825169 (OP)
Learn Russian. Get a grasp on the basics, small talk, ordering food, etc...
At least for the post-Soviet stans, Russian is an inter-ethnic language. Just be mindful that for the most part, Russian is going to be a second language to them as well, so they're going to speak it pretty poorly as well. But having a basic grasp will at least get you through airport security and help with signage around town and in museums.
>How strict Muslim are they?
70 years of Soviet-instilled atheism has done a number on them, and they've seen whats happened in Iran/Afghanistan and generally try to keep a lid on that stuff. It's a catch-22 where they're trying to establish a post-soviet identity, but also not center it around religion, but also yes include religion.

Turkmenistan is so cheap. Official rate is 3.5 manat for 1 usd but at the black market (every shop) you get 18-20 manat per usd...

>>2831045
that looks disgusting

>>2835285
here come the seasoning police

>>2835230
Impossible to get there though, right? Don't you need some faggot guide to show you around?

>>2835767
>>2835767
You need to join a "guided tour" to get a letter of invitation to the country but once you are in you are free to go anywhere in Ashgabat without your guide.

Also the guided tour can basically be any random one you find on instagram. It doesnt have to be a 20 man boomer group with a guide waving a flag.

Very strange country with some very good looking girls and heavy vodka culture.

>>2831051
>>2835104
If I had an incel phase where I language maxxed and learned a bit of russian, will I have a good time? I know they said dating doesn't work there, but don't they also have a sizable population of slavs and other foreigners?

Turkish Airlines wants $897 to fly one-way from Bishkek to Denver, with a single layover in Istanbul. Other cities like Almaty cost $1100. By comparison, to fly the same 13500 km distance from a mid-sized US airport to India, also single carrier & single layover, I recently paid $410.

>>2837634
You get what you pay for

>>2837634
This has always been my issue. As much as I want to visit it's very hard to justify when flights are $1000 and 36 hours each way.

>>2837831
Chinese airlines do not offer connecting flights from Central Asia to US West Coast cities. You can fly from Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles via China for $350, but you can't get a similar itinerary from Dushanbe. The cheapest single-carrier flight I've found is Almaty to Seattle with Qatar Airways for $633, with a layover in Doha.

>>2837637
Some travelers who buy connecting flights get more than they paid for, and others get less. BTW the exact same flight to Mumbai I bought for $410 now costs $769 on the same date, which is currently four weeks out. Is it worth any more than when I bought it? Absolutely not.

One way to judge how good of a deal you are getting: compare the fare for your connecting flight itinerary to the fare for each non-stop flight booked separately. In this case, a direct flight from Istanbul to Denver costs $750. The fare for a direct flight from Bishkek to Istanbul? $150. This is not good, as there is zero discount for booking the connecting flight itinerary.

By comparison, Vilnius to Denver via Istanbul costs $615. Yeah, you're flying 11400 km to cover 8500 km, which is why they discount the fare, but the 24 hour Istanbul layover option is comfy and makes you forget about the inefficient routing. It was the cheapest way to return to Colorado from Europe by a wide margin.