Places / Asia / Kyrgyzstan
Osh
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At a glance
- Country
- Kyrgyzstan
- Region
- Osh
- Population
- 320,000
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Osh International (OSS)
- Coordinates
- 40.53°N, 72.80°E
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Overview
Osh is one of Central Asia's oldest cities, a Silk Road trading post on the edge of the Fergana Valley, close to the border with Uzbekistan. It is Kyrgyzstan's second city and has a distinctly southern, Uzbek-influenced character.
The sacred mountain of Sulayman-Too rises from the centre, and the bazaar has been trading for centuries. Osh is also the usual starting point for journeys along the Pamir Highway into Tajikistan.
Things to see
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Photo: A.Savin, FAL Sulayman-Too
A rocky mountain of shrines and pilgrim paths in the middle of the city, a UNESCO site with views over the valley.
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Photo: Bgag, CC0 Jayma Bazaar
A huge market stretching along the river, with bread, spices, knives, hats and everything else.
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Babur's House
A small reconstruction of the retreat built on Sulayman-Too by Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire.
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Photo: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0 Lenin statue
One of the largest Lenin statues still standing in Central Asia, facing the main square.
Things to do
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Photo: Derived from CIA map by Bantman at en.wikipedia, transferred, Public domain Start the Pamir Highway
Head south through the Alay Valley towards Sary-Tash and the views of Lenin Peak.
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Photo: Nikolaus, CC BY 3.0 Day trip to Uzgen
An 11th-century minaret and decorated Karakhanid mausoleums, about an hour's drive east.
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Photo: Jost Wagner, CC BY-SA 1.0 Eat plov
The south is famous for plov, rice cooked with lamb, carrots and spices in a huge pot.
Where to stay
City centre
Hotels near Sulayman-Too and the main square, walkable to the bazaar.
Hotels in City centreGuesthouses near the bazaar
Simple family-run places, good for meeting other travellers and arranging shared jeeps and drivers for the Pamir Highway.
Hotels in Guesthouses near the bazaar
Getting around
Taxis and marshrutka minibuses are cheap and easy to use, and the centre, the bazaar and Sulayman-Too are all within walking distance.
Osh airport is about 20 minutes from the centre, with daily flights from Bishkek.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant. Summers are hot in the valley, and the Pamir Highway is best driven from June to September.
Plan your trip to Osh
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.