Ata-Turk Park is a large historic city park in southern Bishkek, known for its green spaces, walking avenues, memorials, fountains, and monument to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The park was originally established in the late 1950s as an arboretum associated with the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR and later became a public culture and recreation park.
Today, Ata-Turk Park is one of Bishkek’s major urban green spaces and is a place for walking, relaxing, outdoor activities, and seeing a different side of the city away from the central squares and museums.
About Ata-Turk Park
Ata-Turk Park is located in Bishkek’s Oktyabr District around the intersection of Ahunbaev and Shakirov streets. The park covers about 74 hectares and contains around 40 species of trees, including birch, linden, pine, eastern thuja, and poplar.
The park takes its current name from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. The name was adopted in the 1990s.
At a Glance
Information | Details |
Type of Place | City |
Location | Bishkek, Kirghizstan |
District | Oktyabr District |
Approximate area | 74 hectares |
Established | 1957–1958 |
Main features | Green spaces, avenues, fountains, memorials, Atatürk monument |
Best for | Walking, relaxing, urban sightseeing, outdoor activities |
Time needed | 1–2 hours |
Where Is Ata-Turk Park?
Ata-Turk Park is in the southern part of Bishkek, around Ahunbaev Street and Shakirov Street.
Its location makes it more of a local urban park than a conventional historical attraction. Travelers visiting Bishkek can combine it with other southern and central parts of the city.
What Makes Ata-Turk Park Interesting?
Large Green Space
The park contains a substantial collection of mature trees and landscaped areas. According to Bishkek’s tourism department, approximately 65% of the trees are deciduous and 35% are coniferous.
Park Avenues
The central section has a geometric layout with circular areas and diagonal avenues dividing the park into sections. This layout reflects the park’s Soviet-era planning history.
Atatürk Monument
A monument to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stands near the park entrance. The monument is one of the most recognizable landmarks within the park and reflects the cultural connections between Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye.
Memorial to Soldiers of the Afghan War
A memorial dedicated to participants in the Afghan War is also located within the park. The memorial was installed in 1996.
Fountains
A fountain area forms part of the park’s recreational infrastructure. The city has previously described an avenue containing 58 fountains together with a circular fountain.
History of Ata-Turk Park
The park was established in 1957–1958 as an arboretum associated with the Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz SSR.
In 1962, the arboretum was transferred to the city authorities. It later became a culture and recreation park known as Druzhba, or Friendship Park.
After Kyrgyzstan’s independence, the park was renamed after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the 1990s.
The park’s land and boundaries became the subject of significant public and governmental discussion over subsequent decades. In 2024, Bishkek authorities approved the park’s boundaries based on earlier municipal decisions.
Ata-Turk Park Today
The park is undergoing a broader improvement and reconstruction process. Plans described by Bishkek City Hall include new pedestrian paths, entrances, playgrounds, sports areas, picnic areas, a pond with an observation deck, improved irrigation and lighting, and dedicated running and cycling routes.
Because reconstruction is ongoing, individual facilities and their availability can change. It is better not to publish permanent claims about specific rides, playgrounds, fountains, or other facilities without checking their current condition.
Walking and Outdoor Activities
Ata-Turk Park is suitable for:
- walking through the tree-lined areas
- relaxing outdoors
- casual cycling
- running
- family visits
- enjoying Bishkek’s urban green space
- visiting the Atatürk monument
- seeing the Afghan War memorial
The reconstruction programme also includes a planned 3 km running track and 3.6 km cycling path.
How to Visit Ata-Turk Park
The park can be reached by road from central Bishkek.
It is best visited as part of a Bishkek city sightseeing route rather than as a destination requiring a full day.
For travelers staying in central Bishkek, combining Ata-Turk Park with other city attractions can create a broader urban sightseeing itinerary.
Best Time to Visit
Spring, summer, and early autumn are the most pleasant periods for spending time outdoors in the park.
Summer is particularly suitable for enjoying the greenery, although temperatures in Bishkek can be high during the middle of the day.
Morning and late afternoon are generally more comfortable for walking.
Practical Information
- Entrance: The park is a public urban green space.
- Visit duration: Around 1–2 hours.
- What to bring: Water, comfortable walking shoes, and sun protection in summer.
- Facilities: Facilities may change while reconstruction work continues.
- Accessibility: Some paths and entrances may be affected by ongoing improvement works.
Ata-Turk Park and Bishkek
Ata-Turk Park is different from Bishkek’s more central historic parks.
For a central sightseeing route, travelers can visit Ala-Too Square, the National Historical Museum, Oak Park, and the Open-Air Sculpture Museum.
Ata-Turk Park works better as a separate southern Bishkek green-space stop.
Places Near Ata-Turk Park
Related Bishkek sights include:
- Oak Park
- Open-Air Sculpture Museum
- National Historical Museum
- Place Ala-Too
- Panfilov Park
- National Opera and Ballet Theatre
