The incredible Asian city named 2027’s top trending destination (with £157 return flights)

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan (Picture: Getty Images) Montenegro was the trending destination of 2026, but next year’s up-and-coming getaway is somewhere much further afield. Nearly 3,000 miles further east, to be precise, you’ll find Kyrgyzstan and its capital: Bishkek. Searches for flights to this fascinating Asian city have soared by 501% for 2027, according to Skyscanner’s Trending Destinations analysis. It shows interest way above the second most-trending destination (Hurghada, in Egypt), likely thanks to BBC’s Race Across The World, which featured Bishkek in its latest season. With leafy boulevards and sprawling Soviet-era squares overlooked by snow-capped peaks, Bishkek and its surroundings offer views that even the most seasoned travellers agree are enough to take your breath away. The city is known as the gateway to the Tien Shan, otherwise known as the ‘celestial mountains’ or ‘heavenly mountains’ that span across the country. Want to know what all the fuss is about? Here’s everything you need to know. Kyrgyzstan at a glance Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian state bordering China, which became independent with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Most of its more than six million residents are Turkic-speaking Muslims, and most tourists use it as a stopover before travelling further into Central Asia. But they’re missing out. Oak Park is one of Bishkek’s oldest parks (Picture: Getty Images) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. At the northern edge of the Ala Too mountain range sits Bishkek, a compact, manageable, and interesting city. It’s located in the Chu River valley at an elevation of around 750 metres, and features numerous parks and orchards. What to do in Bishkek After flying into Manas International Airport around 16 miles north of Bishkek, it’s about a 40-minute drive to the capital. There, you can take in the Soviet-era buildings and do some proper touristing. Start at Ala-Too Square, the central public square in the city, opposite the State Historical Museum. Formerly known as Lenin Square, it was redesigned after 1991 to feature a statue of the epic hero Manas – a 10th-century legendary hero of the Kyrgyz people, who value him as their sacred ancient forefather – and an Independence column. The square plays host to parades and national celebrations, but it’s a good starting point for tourists, with the museum, government buildings, and Oak Park right nearby. Yurts in Altyn Arashan Gorge, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan (Picture: Getty Images) On Erkindik (Freedom) Avenue, you’ll find Oak Park, where artists can be found selling their paintings. Further in, you’ll find an open-air sculpture garden behind the Statue of Kurmanjan Datka – a famous 19th-century stateswoman and tribal leader. For a dose of history, Kuznechnaya Fortress. The site was built on a much older Silk Road settlement known as Jul. Throw caution to the wind and try the milk and dairy products from the local street vendors. The national drink of Kyrgyzstan is a mildly alcoholic fermented mare’s milk, made by churning raw mare’s milk in wooden containers (shyrdak) or leather bags. It’s a bit like Kefir, but sweet. Back in the city, you’re spoiled for choice with food. There’s everything from hand-pulled noodles to kebabs and pastries. Local food tours are a good way to explore while sampling the country’s culinary offerings. Horse tours are available around the rivers and valleys of the country (Picture: Getty Images) Going further afield An unmissable day trip just a 45-minute drive from Bishkek is Ala-Archa National Park. This stunning place lies in the Ala Too range of the Kyrgyz Tien Shan mountains, with glaciers and river gorges. Eight trails take you across mountains and valleys, home to rare wildlife such as ibex, argali sheep, snow leopard, lynx and marten. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot golden eagles and vultures in the juniper trees, too. @catchagypsea You’re going to want to see this 🤩 It’s not easy these days to find places that still feel undiscovered. Yet tucked away in Central Asia is a country built for true adventure – the kind of destination that doesn’t compare to anywhere else. Here, kids grow up riding horses, eagle hunters keep ancient traditions alive, and the nomadic way of life is still deeply rooted in the land 🌲🦅 When was the last time you stood somewhere that felt completely untouched? This valley deserves a spot on any Kyrgyzstan itinerary! About a 5h drive from Bishkek, it leads you into vast open landscapes where you’ll likely have the view all to yourself. Head toward Ak-Say Valley and continue to the panorama viewpoint. Park where the trail begins, then hike for roughly 10-15min to reach the lookout. Early morning or late afternoon offers the most beautiful light ✨ 📍 Ak Say Canyon, Kyrgyzstan © Copyrighted content – no reposts without prior permission #kyrgyzstan #kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 #kyrgyz #bishkek #kyrgyzstantravel ♬ Hvitserk’s choice – Trevor Morris For those looking to venture further, a four-hour train will take you to Balykchy where you can watch local falconers (berkutchi) train golden eagles, or try your hand at archery. You can even stay at one of the yurt camps along the Issyk Kul Lake. Karakol, six hours from Bishkek is also a great place to visit for hot springs and magnificent canyons. Our Top Shopping Picks Most of us aren't getting enough fibre – this easy supplement could change that My honest review of the new UKLash Lash Lift Gel Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather Dyson fans are swapping to this Hoover vacuum-mop that washes floors as it cleans I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use The most popular tourist activity is a horse trek through the mountains. These can last several days to places like Kel Suu Lake or through Pamir–Alay Mountains. Planning your journey Flights: The cheapest return flight from London to Kyrgyzstan is currently priced at £157 Hotels: A three-star hotel in Bishkek will cost you around £46 per night Horse tours: These start from around £378 for three days Transport: The most affordable way to travel is by marshrutka and shared taxis for cheap Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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