Following the Mongol rule in the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan came under Russian rule in the 1800s and after 1937 was called the Kyrgyz Soviet Republic. Agriculture was increasingly collectivised under Stalin, despite strong resistance from the nomadic Kyrgyz.

The Kyrgyz, a proud people whose name means "indestructible", were once referred to as "uncivilized barbarians" by the Chinese. Most Kyrgyz in China are nomadic pastoralists and live in felt tents called ‘yurts’. More recently numbers of Kyrgyz have moved into the cities. Approx. 1,500 live in the cities of Urumchi, Artush and Kashgar.