In the town of Cholpon Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, stands the unique cultural centre Ruh-Ordo, which means spiritual centre in the Kyrgyz language. Built in 2002, this centre was created to give each visitor the opportunity to work on their spiritual development while discovering different cultural and religious elements.

A unique spiritual centre

Rare in the region, the Ruh-Ordo centre was constructed on sacred ground. It features five identical chapels, each dedicated to a different faith: Christianity (Catholic and Orthodox), Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. All built side by side pointing towards the sky, they perfectly symbolize the unity of faith.

A grand concert hall with unique acoustics is also part of the centre and deserves a visit. The hall regularly hosts concerts and other cultural events.

A little further on, beautiful pavilions stand to represent the four cardinal points or the four seasons.

The cultural centre has several exhibition halls containing photographs, paintings and sculptures. A guide is on hand to take you through the history of each object in detail and explain their connection to the centre. An exhibition hall dedicated to Chingiz Aitmatov presents his works, as well as the culture and history of Kyrgyzstan.

The complex is an entirely original and fascinating centre to explore, offering a different perspective on Kyrgyzstan. The serene atmosphere and spiritual ambiance that pervades the space will surely leave you refreshed.