Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
900K
Population
127 km2
Area
125 Mbps
Internet
UTC+06:00
Timezone
BSZ (23km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Bishkek, formerly known as Pishpek, and then Frunze (1926–1991), is the capital and largest urban city of Kyrgyzstan. The city is also the capital of the Chüy Region. It is situated near the border with Kazakhstan and has a population of around 1,200,000 people as of 2024.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Kyrgyzstan
Region
Central Asia
Population
900K
Timezone
UTC+06:00
Language
Kyrgyz
Status
Capital City
Airport
BSZ
GPS
42.87, 74.59
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
Solid 125 Mbps internet — reliable for remote work and streaming
Economy
71% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
History
Founded in 1825, with 201 years of history
Connections
Bishkek has 19 sister cities worldwide
INFRASTRUCTURE
7,156 total POIs 56.4 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
319
Cafes
650
Bars
91
Fast Food
230
Shopping
Supermarkets
251
Convenience
1,130
Shopping Malls
62
Healthcare
Hospitals
30
Clinics
304
Pharmacies
332
Education
Schools
359
Universities
113
Libraries
26
Recreation
Parks
163
Playgrounds
251
Sports
190
Cinemas
17
Museums
17
Theatres
18
Transport
Bus Stops
658
Train Stations
8
Fuel Stations
136
Services
Banks
223
ATMs
190
Post Offices
78
Police
80
Fire Stations
2
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
125 Mbps
Download
124 Mbps
Upload
5ms
Latency
19,880
Tests
6,792
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jun - Aug
-2°
J
-0°
F
5°
M
11°
A
18°
M
23°
J
24°
J
23°
A
18°
S
11°
O
5°
N
-0°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 11.1 C Range: -2.2 - 24.4 C Rain: 667 mm/year Sunshine: 3,139 h/year
CITY SCORES
87.5
Nomad Index
B
Livability
50.5
Culture
62.0
Overall
COST OF LIVING
DIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
28.8
Overall
71% cheaper than NYC
12.5
Rent
88% cheaper than NYC
28.3
Groceries
72% cheaper than NYC
26.2
Restaurants
74% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
BSZ
Manas International Airport
23 km from center
~41 min ride
FUN FACTS
Bishkek, formerly known as Pishpek (until 1926), and then Frunze (1926–1991), is the capital and largest urban city of Kyrgyzstan.
It is situated near the border with Kazakhstan and has a population of around 1,200,000 people as of 2024.
The Kara-Kirghiz Autonomous Oblast was established in 1925 in Russian Turkestan, promoting Pishpek to its capital.
Frunze became the capital of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic in 1936, during the final stages of national delimitation in the Soviet Union.
In 1991, the Kyrgyz parliament changed the capital's name to a modified original name of Pishpek as Bishkek.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Bishkek known for?
Bishkek is a city in Kyrgyzstan. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Bishkek?
Bishkek has an average download speed of 125 Mbps and upload speed of 124 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Bishkek?
Bishkek has an average year-round temperature of approximately 11.1 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Bishkek?
Bishkek is served by BSZ (Manas International Airport), approximately 23 km from the city center.
What is the population of Bishkek?
The population of Bishkek is approximately 900K.
What infrastructure does Bishkek have?
Bishkek has 7,156 mapped points of interest, including 319 restaurants, 30 hospitals, 359 schools.
What country is Bishkek in?
Bishkek is located in Kyrgyzstan.
