White House, Bishkek

White House, Bishkek

The White House in Bishkek serves as the presidential office building and holds significant historical importance. It has been the backdrop for pivotal events in the country's recent history, including the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the 2010 Kyrgyzstani riots.

Located on Chuy Avenue, between the Philharmonia building and the Monument to the Martyrs of the Revolution, the White House is a seven-story structure constructed in the Stalinist modern architectural style. It was designed with the STO (Gosplan, Duma) building in Moscow as a model. Originally built in 1985, the building was intended to house the headquarters of the Communist Party's Central Committee.

The White House gained notoriety during the 2005 Tulip Revolution, when large-scale protests erupted in response to allegations of electoral fraud. Demonstrators rallied outside the building, demanding political change and the resignation of the incumbent president. Subsequently, in 2010, the White House became the center of attention once again during the Kyrgyzstani riots, characterized by widespread unrest and clashes between different ethnic groups. Tragically, during the 2010 riots, a fire broke out within the White House, resulting in significant damage to the building and the destruction of numerous government records stored in hard copy format.

Interestingly, there are rumors of an underground complex beneath Ala-Too Square, purportedly connected to the White House via a network of underground tunnels. While the existence and purpose of this underground structure remain speculative, it adds an air of mystery and intrigue to the White House's history.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bishkek. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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White House on Map

Sight Name: White House
Sight Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (See walking tours in Bishkek)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Create Your Own Walk in Bishkek

Create Your Own Walk in Bishkek

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bishkek is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bishkek Introduction Walking Tour

Bishkek Introduction Walking Tour

The capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, is set against the picturesque backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level.

Compared to other major cities in Central Asia, Bishkek has a relatively short history. It was founded in 1825, as the Pishpek fortress, during the Russian colonization of the region. The fortress served as an administrative...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Soviet Era Architecture and Monuments Tour

Soviet Era Architecture and Monuments Tour

While nomadic communities of yurt-living, horse-riding sheep herders are still thriving in the most remote valleys of Kyrgyzstan, the capital city of Bishkek shows a different facet of this Central Asian nation.

Built practically from scratch during the Soviet era, Bishkek experienced significant transformation in terms of urban planning and is packed to the rim with a well-preserved...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles