On the way to Issyk-Kul lake, we are greeted by a small town called Balykchi. The city was a transit point, where there were one or two buildings for travelers to rest and for caravaners to rest on the Great Silk Road, but by the middle of the 1880s, according to the legend of the city, retired soldier Mikhail Bachin built a farm here and engaged in fishing, soon opened a fishing artel, simultaneously engaged in the extraction and transportation of timber. A lot of time passed and soon the farm grew to several dozen families, the construction of vital buildings began, fishing became widespread and every year the Bachin artel grew. So a small farm grew into a small settlement, and after some time into a town.

This city is associated with an abundance of fish- live, smoked, salted, dried and fried. Before entering the city, we are greeted by a spontaneous market where they sell different types of fish, and in summer - the famous Issyk-Kul apricot, fragrant varieties of apples, pears, cherries, sea buckthorn, currants, kurut (traditional cheese), ayran (yoghurt), koumiss (fermented mare’s milk – traditional beverage), and honey from all over the republic are sold here. At any time of the year, this bazaar is always full of seasonal products and attracts travelers with the intoxicating aroma of smoked fish.

Balykchi is a windy city, and the Ulan wind rules here. Images of the leader of the proletariat, V. I. Lenin, have been preserved in the city since the Soviet era. Inscriptions on the roofs of houses have also been preserved. Young people have no idea what these inscriptions and images are, but older people nostalgically recall the time of their youth and sigh bitterly, because at that time there was no such unemployment, factories were not idle, and life seemed to be better for them. But the modern generation will argue with this, because for today's teenagers, life provides the best opportunities and chances.

This is also noticeable in Balykchi, new buildings are appearing, small and medium-sized businesses are flourishing, restaurants, cafes, hotels are appearing - the city is being transformed.

You can get from Bishkek to Balykchi by car, shuttle bus, even a comfortable train, and someone reaches the city from Issyk-Kul airport (situated close to Tamchi village – northern side of Issyk Kul lake) by taxi.

Balykchy has its own city beach, but there are no specially built recreation areas, entertainment and attractions. The coastal shore is intended for residents of the city and for the secluded recreation of travelers. There is an Orthodox church, a monastery and a mosque in Balykchi, and there is a multi-ethnic population here. In the vicinity of the city, you can go to the mountains, to the Salt Lake, and also find many wild places near the lake shore.