Bishkek to New Delhi / Nepal

Being a bit of a weirdo i'm maybe planning on starting my trip completly different.
Bishkek, the capitol in Kyrgyzstan.
Maybe not as touristic as other places but they will come later.. for example Delhi or Nepal.
Now there's only one route from Bishkek to India but that one goes to China and Google maps won't really help with it. Another problem is that it's not easy to find other reviews/help on this route.. So trying it this way.

Hope somebody can give me an answer on the next questions:

1. Is Bishkek or Kyrgyzstan an interesting place to visit?
2. Is Biskek - New Delhi a safe and good way to travel,
3. Are there some recommandable stops on the way?

Thanks for the answers (.. if i'm getting any, let's hope!

[ Edit: Edited on 05-Apr-2009, at 12:16 by Frensky ]

1. Is Bishkek or Kyrgyzstan an interesting place to visit?

I haven't been, but I have been wanting to go for quite some time. So yes, I would say "interesting".

2. Is Biskek - New Delhi a safe and good way to travel,

The Chinese will tell you (for political reasons) that it is completely unsafe, that you most definitely should not go. Your own government will (in an attempt to soothe things over with China) warn you not to go.

Your route will take you through both Xinjiang and Tibet, both are areas that seek independence from China and that rely on foreign tourists to take pictures, listen to their problems and make their voice heard in the media abroad. Small wonder the Chinese are tetchy about visitors, especially ones who got cameras in their mobiles.

I personally think it is not as dangerous as it is made out to be and that you should be ok.

I also hope you speak some Russian or Turkish or one of the other local languages or its going to be a very lonely trip. Chances are high you'll not meet another tourist at all.

3. Are there some recommandable stops on the way?

Lhasa, Shigatse, maybe Turfan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyghur_people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiaohe_Ruins

As for getting more answers, check out Lonely Planet thorntree forum. It is the best place on the web to ask about such unusual trips. Chances are you'll find somebody there who has been to Xinjiang and Tibet recently as well as crossed the border into Nepal from Tibet and can tell you more.

[ Edit: Edited on 06-Apr-2009, at 06:37 by t_maia ]