Some people dread the cold, winter season in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, but I (kind of) love it. My boyfriend prepared me for my first winter here by telling me we'd experience heavy snowfall and the temperatures would drop significantly. We spent the prior winter in Seoul, South Korea where I can count the number of times it snowed with one hand and I would get by with a wool coat. Rightfully so, he wanted to manage my expectations now that we're in Kyrgyzstan.
I spent my first winter in Bishkek, in 2022, and little did my boyfriend know, that I grew up having to shovel snow from our driveways for days, wearing knee-high snow boots, and temperatures would drop so much that schools would be closed. So if you're like me and live on the East Coast of North America, you'll be pleasantly surprised that Kyrgyzstan doesn't live up to that. There were days when there was snowfall but it melted within one to two days. However, if you drive out to other cities such as Naryn, or even an hour from Bishkek towards Chunkurchak, you'll see plenty of snow and can enjoy activities such as snowboarding or skiing. Here are 5 tips on how you can survive winter in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
5 TIPS TO SURVIVE WINTER IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
1. Get an air purifier (THIS IS A MUST)
I can't emphasize this enough, but the air quality in Bishkek during the winter is abysmal. I took this screenshot from IQ Air on January 16, 2023 and was surprised to find out that Bishkek was ranked number 1. I was outside for a couple of minutes and saw that the sky was covered in smog and it was impossible to see the mountains or even the apartments being constructed in the back.
Your throat will get itchy and it smells terrible, like a mix of car fumes and burning tires. Due to this, get an air purifier and place it in your home. Even if you keep your windows closed, dust can always enter your house so I recommend getting an air purifier so it can filter out any harmful chemicals.
If you join any expat groups on Facebook, you'll notice many people selling used air purifiers. So, if you're staying in Bishkek for a short duration, I recommend to buy an used one rather than new.
2. Use portable heaters
One of the main reasons for the heavy smog in Bishkek is that they still burn coal for heat and energy. We live in an apartment and have a built-in floor heater and it can heat our entire living room, washrooms, and kitchen. I never turned this on because I never felt that it was so cold where this was needed, but we do have electric portable heaters that we occasionally turn on when needed.
Since utility costs tend to increase in the winter, these may be a better alternative and slightly(?) better for the environment.
3. Bring your own medicine
I'm not sure if it's the poor air quality or the lack of Vitamin D I receive in the winter months, but I fell sick frequently. Due to this, I recommend bringing over-the-counter medication that you can take while you are in Kyrgyzstan. Since I don't speak Russian and am unfamiliar with the medication here, I feel more comfortable taking medication that I bring from home such as Tylenol, cough candies, and throat spray.
4. Don't be afraid to wear face masks
If you spend long hours outside, I highly recommend you wear face masks or any protective gear so you don't inhale any pollutants, or prevent any flu and colds. I've seen construction workers working without wearing any masks and it makes me squirm, knowing how much this can have an impact on their health in the future.
It is quite common to see people wearing face masks during the winter, so don't worry if you think you'll stand out.
5. Leave the city for a few days
Being surrounded by the heavy smog in Bishkek can be stressful. It makes me not want to leave home and it breaks my routine of doing things. At one point, my boyfriend and I spent a couple of days in Supara Chunkurchak to get away from the city and breathe in clean air. I recommend everyone to go on weekend trips to get away from the city. Less than an hour away, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or even hot springs!
I hope you have a great winter in Bishkek! If you have any additional items you'd like me to add to the list, comment below.
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