Planning a journey to Kyrgyzstan and undecided what to do in Osh? Then worry not, we’ve got you coated!
Osh is positioned within the Fergana Valley, considered one of Central Asia’s most various areas. It’s Kyrgyzstan’s oldest metropolis with a historical past relationship again over 3000 years.
This, mixed with its shut proximity to the Uzbek border has created an ethnically blended inhabitants of Uzbeks, Russians, Tajiks and Kyrgyz.
Whereas Bishkek, has a contemporary, virtually westernised really feel in locations, Osh is extra conventional than its greater brother to the north.
Osh is the oldest metropolis in Kyrgyzstan, and is the executive middle of the Osh Area.
It’s a good spot to loosen up and recharge after a visit alongside the Pamir Freeway, or climbing to the basecamp of Lenin Peak. Sometimes called the capital metropolis of southern Kyrgyzstan, its location makes it a key a part of many Central Asian routes and itineraries.
With out additional ado, let’s try among the finest issues to do in Osh.
Finest Issues To Do In Osh Kyrgyzstan
Right here is our checklist of the very best issues so as to add to your Kyrgyzstan itinerary when visiting Osh.
From exploring downtown Osh Metropolis, to taking day journeys across the Fergana Valley, there may be rather a lot to see and do on this particular space of Kyrgyzstan.
Learn Subsequent: Need assistance planning your journey to Kyrgyzstan? You should definitely learn our complete Kyrgyzstan Journey Information!
1) Hike to the highest of Sulaiman Too
Providing some pretty views over Osh, a hike to the highest Sulaiman Too is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Osh. That is additionally a Unesco World Heritage Web site, a testomony to its significance each traditionally and inside modern-day Kyrgyzstan. When you’re undecided what to do in Osh this can be a fairly good place to start out.
For a lot of locals, Sulaiman Too is a spot of pilgrimage. This Central Asian Sacred Mountain has performed an necessary half within the space’s spiritual historical past. The path to the highest is a path that takes you thru the area’s pre-Islamic and Islamic historical past. The winding paths and sacred caves provide a glimpse into the areas of fascinating historical past.
The caves alongside the path are dotted with prayer relics, spiritual sculptures, and petroglyphs. As well as, there are quite a few factors alongside the way in which the place locals have interaction in rituals which have been happening for millennia.
Probably the most notable of those is the fertility mini-cave. The rocks have been worn clean by girls sliding down it to additional improve the possibilities of being pregnant.
Taking a beautiful hike as much as the highest of Sulaiman Too is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Osh. It’s an unbelievable UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and it may be significantly fairly round sundown.
2) Haggle for bargains on the Jayma Bazaar
The Jayma Bazaar has stood subsequent to the Ak Buura for greater than 2000 years and because of this, it is without doubt one of the oldest bazaars in Central Asia.
A bustling place of commerce for the reason that days of the previous silk highway, its heyday might have handed however there are nonetheless bargains available amongst the native produce and handicrafts on sale.
Taking a wander by this bazaar is a traditional Osh expertise. The bazaar is open from 7am to 8pm, and is closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
3) Go to the Memorial Park
Near Lenin’s statue is the Memorial Park. This peaceable out of doors area is devoted to the reminiscence of among the tragic occasions which have impacted the individuals of Osh.
As in lots of cities throughout Russia and the previous Soviet Union, there may be an everlasting flame for those who died within the Nice Patriotic Warfare (how Russia refers back to the Second World Warfare).
Additionally, there are memorials to the Kyrgyz residents who had been despatched to Chernobyl within the aftermath of the nuclear catastrophe. There may be additionally a memorial to those that misplaced their lives through the ethnic riots in Osh.
4) Discover Lenin’s statue
One of many fascinating issues about Kyrgyzstan is that the statues of Lenin weren’t torn down after the autumn of the Soviet Union in contrast to in most of the different Soviet Socialist Republics. Consequently, a statue of Lenin might be present in most cities in Kyrgyzstan.
This is without doubt one of the stranger Osh actions, but it surely’s a spotlight of town middle. Lenin’s statue occupies a distinguished place within the metropolis. Many individuals on this a part of Asia look again on the Soviet Union with a sure degree of nostalgia, significantly these within the older generations.
The Lenin statue in Osh is probably the most spectacular of the few remaining statues. Whereas in Bishkek he’s hidden away, in Osh he stands proudly in a central sq., backing onto the Navoi Park.
5) Go to the 3-Storey Yurt
One in every of Osh’s most notable buildings is the three storey yurt. The surface might be extra fascinating than the within the place an exhibition on Alymbek and Kurmanjan Datka stands alongside a present store.
Sadly the museum has seen higher days, however the constructing it resides inside is a widely known Osh attraction. When you’re sightseeing in Osh Kyrgyzstan, it’s value testing.
- Tackle: Alymbek Datka Park
- Hours: 8am – 10pm every day
- Price: 80 Som, any pictures within the museum are 10 Som every
READ MORE: Don’t overlook to add Sary Mogol to your Kyrgyzstan itinerary!
6) Examine Out town’s Soviet murals
One of many hallmarks of the Soviet period is the concrete house blocks that lined the roads of its cities. Whereas they don’t seem to be probably the most inspiring of sights, the murals that adorn the perimeters of many of those buildings are the precise reverse.
With a powerful Soviet ideological focus, it provides a captivating perception into life within the Soviet Union. Try this handy google map of among the finest murals in Osh.
Osh is just not the one metropolis in Central Asia with Soviet murals, there are additionally fairly just a few in Tashkent.
7) Go to the Cave Museum
Trying like an ostentatious bonnet protruding of the southwestern crag of Sulaiman Too, the Cave Museum is a novel spot to go to.
It’s an fascinating place to study concerning the area’s historical past. There are millions of artifacts on show, and there’s a particular emphasis on archaeology. The museum is carved straight into the mountain, so the partitions are all rock.
The artifacts and the museum itself are tremendous cool to see, and the views as you exit are significantly pretty.
- Tackle: There isn’t a precise deal with because the museum is a part of the mountain. Discover a map on this web site.
- Hours: Each day 9am – 12pm, 1pm – 6pm
- Price: 150 Som
8) Try the Animal Bazaar on Sunday Mornings
If you’re fortunate sufficient to be in Osh on a Sunday then that is an absolute should. Bus 5 or marshrutka 105 to the Previous Bus Station are your public transport choices, or you’ll be able to take a taxi out of your lodging. It’s on the outskirts of town, so hiring taxi drivers might be your finest wager.
This is without doubt one of the largest animal markets in Central Asia. It’s a place the place, each week a whole lot of sheep, cows, donkeys and horses are offered to the very best bidder.
Bear in mind this can be a working market, so when visiting do your finest the hold out of the way in which of the farmers and wholesalers. It’s undoubtedly one of many prime issues to do in Osh Kyrgyzstan.
9) Eat the largest Samsa in Kyrgyzstan
Relying on how lengthy you may have been in Kyrgyzstan, the considered Samsa will not be one which leaves you leaping for pleasure.
Elsewhere in Central Asia, notably in Uzbekistan, Samsa are small parcels of meat, cheese or potato cooked with onions and spices wrapped in dough. In Osh, they’re considerably bigger, much like a good-sized Cornish pasty for the Brits studying this.
In Osh, Samsa are baked inside a clay tandoor oven, whereas elsewhere they’re cooked in an abnormal oven. That is the right meal to get pleasure from after climbing as much as the highest of Suleiman Too.
Like many aged Soviet cities, there are a selection of pretty parks to walk and whereas away a summer time afternoon, Tashkent and Bishkek spring to thoughts.
The leafy Alisher Navoi Park is residence to small amusement stalls and previous males taking part in chess. The park could be very a lot a throwback to the Soviet Union, with most of the previous males taking part in chess considering again to the nice previous days.
Different issues to do within the park embody strolling alongside the Ak-Buura River or stopping at one of many little cafes.
11) Get pleasure from some Osh Fashion Plov
The final word Central Asian staple, plov might be discovered everywhere in the area, with each nation claiming to have one of the best model.
Osh and the close by city of Uzgen are well-known for having one of the best plov in Kyrgyzstan. The city of Uzgen is legendary for producing purple rice, which is the important thing ingredient of plov on this space.
By the way, the delicacies in Osh is taken into account to have one of the best meals in Kyrgyzstan, so get caught in and chow down on some traditional Central Asia fare. When you’ve already been within the area some time this will not be too interesting, however hopefully, our subsequent entry will assist to vary that!
12) Chow down on Vegetarian Specialties
One factor you’ll discover about Central Asian meals is that greens do appear to be an elective further. Salads usually include tomato, cucumber, and an virtually offensively great amount of dill.
Subsequently you’ll undergo a interval the place you might be craving some veg, and Osh has some wonderful vegetarian choices.
Maida manti are dumplings (manti) crammed with potato. You will discover these in Uzbekistan however they’re much tougher to search out in Kyrgyzstan in my expertise. In the best season, it’s potential to search out some pumpkin manti.
Gok chuchvara is a small dumpling crammed with native greens which might be much like spinach.
13) Try the Mahalla Neighbourhoods
Being positioned within the Fergana Valley provides Osh an ethnically various space. All through historical past, individuals of various ethnicities have lived aspect by aspect.
Tensions between smaller ethnic teams blighted the realm after the collapse of Soviet rule, with ethnic Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Tajiks struggling to adapt to the brand new establishment.
Mahalla neighbourhoods are commonplace in Uzbekistan and amongst Osh’s Uzbek residents. The walled group homes make up mazes of slender alleyways, the place it isn’t unusual for eyes to look out, adopted by presents of tea.
The backstreets round Amir Temur road main away from Suleiman Too are an excellent place to start out. Nevertheless do keep in mind these are individuals’s houses, so don’t be intrusive. Undoubtedly one of the fascinating issues to see in Osh.
For extra concepts whereas exploring this fascinating nation, try our checklist of the finest issues to do in Kyrgyzstan!
14) Wander across the Russian Orthodox Church
This church is the heartbeat of the Russian group in Osh. In the course of the Soviet Union’s peak, it acted as a cultural centre, and was recommissioned as a church in 1992.
Painted in a vibrant blue, the church is kind of pleasing to the attention. It’s a small and humble church, and it’s close to the Lenin Statue and different monuments in Osh.
15) Go to the Regional Museum of Advantageous Arts of Sadykov
Situated near Suleiman Too, this tiny museum is residence to a lot of fascinating work.
Like many museums on this a part of Asia, it does want a little bit of a refurb, however the work are value testing. There are works from locals and different artists across the Osh area.
When you’re heading over to Suleiman Too anyway, cease in right here to study concerning the historical past and tradition of the locals by artwork.
- Hours: Open every day 9am – 5pm
- Tackle: Alebastrova St. 31
16) Try the Rabat Abdullakhan Mosque
One of many oldest buildings in Osh, this mosque dates again to the sixteenth Century. While Kyrgyzstan isn’t fairly blessed with the identical epic Islamic structure as its neighbour Uzbekistan that is actually value testing.
Situated on the backside of Suleiman Too, it may simply be mixed with a visit to town’s most well-known vacation spot.
Rabat Abdullakhan Mosque was constructed at a time when regional Khanate underwent nice growth, conquering an space bigger than modern-day Uzbekistan.
The mosque has been properly restored in recent times after a combination of earthquakes and soviet neglect. Despite all of this, the unique construction has remained intact.
17) Go to the Shahid Tepa Mosque
Situated near the Jayma Bazaar, the Shahid Tepa Mosque is one other spiritual construction value visiting.
As the biggest mosque within the nation, it’s a really spectacular place to take a look at whereas sightseeing in Osh Metropolis. The constructing was constructed within the early twentieth century, initially out of wooden.
After being restored with the assistance of Saudi cash, it was reopened in 1943 and is now actually superb to have a look at.
- Tackle: Mamadjan St, Osh, Kyrgyzstan
18) Discover the Previous Soviet Jet
As you’re taking a leisurely stroll by Navoi Park it’s possible you’ll find yourself stumbling throughout a now decommissioned Soviet passenger airplane. A Yak-40, decked out in Aeroflot insignia to be extra exact.
Supposedly this was as soon as a restaurant inside, nonetheless now it’s extra of a dumping floor for garbage.
There’s a Ferris wheel subsequent door that’s normally operational. That is actually one of many stranger Osh sights.
19) Take a Cooking Class
Osh’s popularity as having one of the best meals in Kyrgyzstan means this can be a good spot to take a cooking class. It’s potential to take a cooking class to discover ways to make the native Samsa that Osh is most well-known for.
As well as, there are plov cooking programs that are properly value testing. The purple rice harvested within the native city of Uzgen (see our day journeys beneath for extra data on Uzgen), helps to contribute to Osh having one of the best plov in Uzbekistan.
The town middle of Osh is thought for having nice European and native delicacies, however an area cooking class permits you to actually get into the native meals.
20) Go to the Museum of Advantageous Arts
Museums on this a part of Asia don’t get pleasure from an ideal popularity, typically underfunded and in want of refurbishment. The work inside them is just not at all times appreciated correctly.
The Museum of Advantageous Arts is each of those. Nevertheless, there may be some fascinating work that’s value testing. The employees are pleasant and passionate concerning the artwork, and so they all converse Kyrgyz or Russian.
You will discover trendy artwork in addition to socialist realism, all from native artists round this space of the Fergana Valley.
- Tackle: Köl-Onorculor
- Hours: Open every day 9am – 5pm
- Price: 25 Som
Day Journeys from Osh
Except for all the nice issues to do in Osh, there are additionally some nice day journeys from the city.
Listed here are just a few prime recommendations for the way to get out and discover extra of southern Kyrgyzstan round Osh. The native bus station is properly linked to those locations.
21) Go to the traditional city of Uzgen
Uzgen is a small historic city that’s identified most for its Eleventh-century mausoleum complicated.
These gorgeous buildings are extra widespread within the Islamic structure seen in neighbouring Uzbekistan or the complicated of Konye Urgench in Turkmenistan. That is undoubtedly one of the fascinating issues to do round Osh.
There are shared taxis that go away from the bus station, or you’ll be able to organise a taxi by your lodging.
Learn subsequent: The 23 Finest Issues To Do In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
22) Go Climbing in Kyrgyz Ata Nationwide Park
If you’re lacking the spectacular alpine surroundings for which Kyrgyzstan is famend, the Kyrgyz Ata Nationwide Park can be the place to move. A simple day journey from Osh, Kyrgyz Ata is a good choice for these searching for a day hike versus the longer multi-day treks.
The Kyrgyz Ata Nationwide Park is far nearer to Osh than the Alay Mountains. So if time is just not in your aspect, then this is a superb choice if you wish to try among the spectacular mountain surroundings Kyrgyzstan is thought for.
That is completely the most effective actions throughout your keep in Osh, and may simply be achieved as a day journey.
23) Tackle the Alay Mountains
Osh is a superb start line for the Pamirs, most famously the Pamir Freeway. Nevertheless, there are a selection of different wonderful climbing locations very near Osh, with a type of being the Alay Mountains.
This off-the-beaten-track climbing vacation spot has some epic single and multi-day treks out there for you you to tackle.
One of the crucial common single-day treks is the Koshkol “4 Lakes” trek. Beginning near the village of Sary Mogul which is just a few hours away, it’s actually a stretch as a day journey from Osh though it may be achieved!
The path has quite a few lakes, gorges, and spectacular alpine surroundings which have made Kyrgyzstan the dream journey vacation spot for a lot of.
The place To Keep In Osh Kyrgyzstan
Although Kyrgyzstan isn’t at all times on vacationers’ radars, there are nonetheless some pretty lodging choices round.
As a result of Osh is a reasonably large metropolis, there are some good motels and guesthouses out there for vacationers of all budgets. Listed here are some suggestions!
Finances Lodging in Osh: Eco Home
Simply 3km from the well-known Sulaiman Too Mountain, Eco Home is an inexpensive place to remain in Osh.
There’s a good backyard and there’s a cafe on web site which serves scrumptious native meals. Eco Home has numerous nice evaluations on Reserving.com and is a good worth for cash.
Mid-Vary Lodging in Osh: Silk Manner Boutique Resort
Silk Manner Boutique Resort has good, snug rooms, a buffet breakfast, a bar, backyard, terrace, and extra.
It’s an attractive lodge that’s nonetheless fairly inexpensive. Many of the lodging in Osh is inexpensive, so you’ll be able to simply deal with your self to a pleasant lodge with out breaking the financial institution.
Luxurious Lodging in Osh: Rayan Resort
The Rayan Resort is without doubt one of the finest locations to remain in Osh, and it’s costs are nonetheless comparatively low in comparison with different good motels round Asia.
Situated proper within the metropolis middle, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a beautiful keep close to all one of the best native sights.
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