White House

Address Chuy Avenue, Bishkek

The seven-storey white-marble presidential office building, opposite the western end of Ala-Too Square. The 1985 building was originally the Central Committee headquarters of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzia and is one of the most recognisable buildings in the country. Visitors cannot enter, but the exterior is worth a few minutes' look and the perimeter is heavily guarded.

A small public garden sits between the White House and the square, occasionally the focus of political demonstrations.

things to do sight architecture Listed by Journal of Nomads
A story
The White House has been stormed twice in Kyrgyzstan's three revolutions — in 2005 (the Tulip Revolution), in 2010, and again in October 2020. After the 2010 storming the building was burned out and required substantial reconstruction; the singed marble cladding around the lower floors was replaced piece by piece.