Naryn is the capital of Kyrgyzstan’s largest province, which is also called Naryn.  The city is in south-central Kyrgyzstan along the eastern edge of Central Asia, not far from the border with China.  This area is considered to be the most traditional part of Kyrgyzstan, retaining much of its original agricultural and cultural past for travelers to see today.  This section of Kyrgyzstan is characterized by picturesque mountains and lakes, amongst which herders guide sheep, yaks, and horses as they camp in yurts.  Naryn is situated on the Naryn River, the longest river in Kyrgyzstan, which has carved a beautiful gorge through the area. Naryn is surrounding by dramatic cliffs and offers travelers access to untouched wilderness.

The city of Naryn has a beautiful central square with an imposing statute, and it also boasts two regional museums.  It is also home to a campus of the University of Central Asia, the first internationally chartered higher education institution in the world. The main road in Naryn was once part of the ancient Silk Road that connected China to Europe, and today is still connects Central Asia with China through the Torugart Pass.