Our Government’s efforts on making Kyrgyzstan a tourist zone has always been amazing me. Once we became the second Switzerland, and the next time we realized that Santa Claus lives in our mountains.

I just found a post of a foreigner who wishes to travel from Tibet to Kyrgyzstan through Shanghai and Urumqi. Here what he writes:

I choose Kyrgyz because Canadians get visa on arrival. I am also interested in entering Kazakhstan from China, but then I need to pre-arrange a visa, but where in that part of Western China, I don’t know. Tajikistan also borders Xinjiang, but I am not sure if foriegners are allowed to cross here?

It’s of course nice that our laws are more liberal than of any other Central Asian Country. Although, it’s not enough if the Kyrgyz want to become a real tourist area. Here what I advised to that tourist:

I would recommend you to fly from Urumqi to Bishkek so far as you can obtain your visa only at the airport. Custom offices in bordering areas do not issue visas. At least, please get advices from tourist companies, or call Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

What really does misguide us is the fact that our Custom Office at the airport do not check the person if he is criminal or not. So, do we really need to demand visas from foreigners if we do not check them?

Urumqi, photo by Mirsulzh@n Namazaliev. November, 2009

I really support the initiative for visa-free travelling, free move from one country to another and removal of all visa red-tape, restrictions and bans. It should aim at complete abolition and removal of:

• exit restrictions imposed by state authorities and all forms of requirements of exit permits, political and ideological obstacles,
• duty to apply for a visa or permit before entry,
• restrictions imposed on political grounds or as a form of sanctions,
• bureaucratic obstacles, charges and payments for granting passports, visas and other documents,
• various red-tape bureaucratic requirements as e.g. invitation, funds possession , proof of taking time off employment, preliminary proof of no penal records (for ordinary visits) and others,
• punishments for illegal entry, exit or travelling to an ‘ineligible’ country,
• requirements of inland permits – for travelling to another region