I loved visiting the Dungan (东干) people in Karakol. They arrived in Kyrgyzstan in the late Qing. They still speak a Shaanxi dialect (I could understand maybe 40%), but can't read Chinese characters. They even had books of folk tales written in Cyrillic that they could read in their dialect. It kind of felt like visiting a China that no longer exists. Also made me realise how rare it is in the mainland to hear young Northern dialect speakers who don't speak Mandarin.
Incredible post, would have just liked this information higher: "players ride horses and compete to throw a 90lb (40kg) dead goat into an elevated pit."
Turned down an opportunity to study Russian in Kyrgyzstan for a summer back in college… to my lasting regret! Great post—fascinating to learn about local perceptions of Chinese investment.
I saw some USAID-funded schools in the countryside and met some American backpackers, but in general, Chinese investment was much more visible and extensive. I did hear a lot of American music in taxis, though!
This reminds me of when I went to Kazakhstan a few years ago. It was so different from all the other places that I had visited. Really good food, weird (in a good way) architecture, and super nice people. I’m sure Kyrgyzstan isn’t too far off.
How do Kyrgyz feel about environmental impacts of.Chinese projects and protection of rare.species like snow leopards? Do they identify with these challenges or shrug them off?
Great post - awesome to learn more about such an undiscovered country. Would be curious about crypto trends there and if stablecoin adoption has proliferated / the digital banking scene broadly.
Very nice post! I was in Kyrgyzstan a few weeks ago and thought it was very nice
Nice review! I visited this time last year.
I loved visiting the Dungan (东干) people in Karakol. They arrived in Kyrgyzstan in the late Qing. They still speak a Shaanxi dialect (I could understand maybe 40%), but can't read Chinese characters. They even had books of folk tales written in Cyrillic that they could read in their dialect. It kind of felt like visiting a China that no longer exists. Also made me realise how rare it is in the mainland to hear young Northern dialect speakers who don't speak Mandarin.
insane
Incredible post, would have just liked this information higher: "players ride horses and compete to throw a 90lb (40kg) dead goat into an elevated pit."
this is a great youtube deep dive
Turned down an opportunity to study Russian in Kyrgyzstan for a summer back in college… to my lasting regret! Great post—fascinating to learn about local perceptions of Chinese investment.
Great post Lily!
Thank you very much!
But who was the first ChinaTalk listener in Kyrgyzstan?
the world may never know!
This is great! Curious what you heard and saw when it comes to other Americans or American influence in Kyrgyzstan?
I saw some USAID-funded schools in the countryside and met some American backpackers, but in general, Chinese investment was much more visible and extensive. I did hear a lot of American music in taxis, though!
This reminds me of when I went to Kazakhstan a few years ago. It was so different from all the other places that I had visited. Really good food, weird (in a good way) architecture, and super nice people. I’m sure Kyrgyzstan isn’t too far off.
Очень интересная рецензия
Спасибо тебе Тилдочка!
How do Kyrgyz feel about environmental impacts of.Chinese projects and protection of rare.species like snow leopards? Do they identify with these challenges or shrug them off?
Great post - awesome to learn more about such an undiscovered country. Would be curious about crypto trends there and if stablecoin adoption has proliferated / the digital banking scene broadly.