Tourist Places to Visit in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Asia
Osh is one of the eight provinces of the CIS country of Kyrgyzstan in the Central Asia or the Kyrgyz Republic, gained independence from Soviets during the year of 1991. Osh is the second largest city after Bishkek and also the capital of Osh province. Osh Province is located to the South west of Kyrgyzstan at the base of Suliman-Too Mountain in the Fergana valley. Osh was a large industrial city during the regime of Soviets and still has the largest out door market among all the Central Asian countries.
The Osh province has over 29000 Sq. Km and Osh is also an independent city having its own administration and is surrounded by the Province of Batken to the West, the province of Naryn to the East and the province of Jalal-Abad to the North with the country of Uzbekistan to its North East.
The climate in Osh is moderate with warm summers and cold winters with temperatures maximum of 32o in summers from June to August and winters reaching to minus 5o during November to February.
History of Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
Osh history dates back to over 3000 years and is often referred to the King of Alexander having founded the city and also the Moghul Emperor Babur who established Moghul Empire in 10th century in North India was born in Andijan near Osh. Osh is known for the silk production as this area was on the famous Silk Route during 8th century. Osh was also under the control of Khanate of Kokand in 18th century before the rulers of Russia usurped Osh in late 19th century.
Food and Culture in Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
Osh is well known for the varieties of food stuffs that are sold in markets such as the flat round bread with a depression in the centre that are consumed by the people. The other food stuffs such as Beshbarmah, varieties of noodle preparations and Kumi the Mare’s fermented milk drink and Maksym are consumed in large.
Osh being an ethnic city with Uzbeks forming the majority which was the contention of the rising tensions among the local Kyrgyz and other equally important ethnic clans in Osh are Turks, Uygurs, Tadjiks, Tatars and Russians. The Russian language is spoken widely and is the second language and also English is the medium of instruction in Universities for the foreign students.
Shopping and Things to do in Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
In Osh the shopping needs are met in the large market along the river that is considered nearly 2000 years old stretching to a great length on the river bank selling varieties of food stuffs and various tourist interest artifacts.
In Osh one can visit various museums such as the historical-ethnographic or the Silk Road museum and the archaeological museum where many ancient art and craft remains show casing the culture of those eras are depicted. There are many other places of interest for tourist in Osh, where one can contact the local tourist information centre at the city bus terminal.
Tourist Attractions in and around Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
- Sulaiman Too: A revered mountain by the Muslims, where the 16th century Prophet Suleyman Sheikh happened to be buried. There is also a flag pole and a mosque built by the Babur.
- Shaid Tepa Mosque: The largest Mosque in Kyrgyzstan constructed out of wood that can seat around thousands of worshippers.
- Kurmanjan Datka: Dedicated to the Queen who opposed the russina rule and the Great Silk Road Museum or the ethnographic museum exhibiting various ancient artifacts.
- Lenin Statue: The war memorial of the Russian leader.
Connectivity to Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
Osh is around 600 Km from Bishkek the capital of Kyrgyzstan connected by the mountainous roads through the Ferghana valley which are around at an altitude of over 3500 meters, where regular bus and taxi services are accessible and also bike around, taking one through the picturesque locations. There is no train service in Osh and by flight Osh can be reached from various places by flights from Bishkek and from Istanbul in Turkey and Moscow in Russia.
Hotel Accommodation in Osh in Kyrgyzstan:
Osh being a city has quality hotels and Bread and Breakfast guest houses to stay such as:
- Hotel Peking 4*
- Hotel Crystal 3*
- Sunrise Guest House 3*
- Tes Guest House 4*
- Osh Guest House