Osh is a city situated in the Fergana Valley in Kyrgyzstan. It is called the country’s “capital of the south”. Some of the best things to do in Osh, Kyrgyzstan include exploring the Alpine Mountains, natural scenery, trekking trails, traditional markets, quaint mountain villages, historical sites, and soviet monuments.
Osh is considered the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan with archeological findings dating back 3,000 years. The national historical and archeological museum sheds light on the early history of the region. It is also one of the best places to visit in Osh city to learn about the political and cultural history of the region. The museum is carved into a cave at the base of Mount Suleiman Too, which is another one of the top things to see in Osh. The mountain is rife with archeological and historical sites hailing from the Soviet and pre-Soviet eras.
You will also come across several Soviet-era sites during Osh sightseeing as well. These includes museums, government buildings, public parks, and monuments. Osh city is home to the largest statue of Lenin in Central Asia. Before it was merged with the Soviet Union, the city was the mid-point of the famed Silk Route connecting East Asia and Europe. There aren’t many Osh tourist attractions concerning this aspect of its history, but the traditional market still lives on. The Jayma Bazaar has been held at the same spot for more than 2,000 years, keeping the Silk Road tradition alive even today.
The other aspect of Osh travel is about exploring the beautiful mountains surrounding the city. You can start the exploration with the Kyrgyz Ata National Park, Baba Atash, or Alay Mountains. There are overnight and multi-day treks that take you through forests, plains, slopes, caves, rocky terrains, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain villages. Along the way, you can stay in traditional Yurt tents and experience the nomadic culture of Central Asia. Some of the householders in the mountain villages allow you to stay with them and experience their culture and cuisine.
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Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
1. Suleiman Too Mountain
This mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It marks the midpoint of the famous Silk Route connecting China and Europe. The mountain is known for several top things to do in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The mountain has 5 peaks and a plethora of historical and cultural structures. Suleiman Too has two mosques which date back to the 16th century and Bronze Age petroglyphs. The summit is also home to a religious site with a holy shrine. You can take guided tours of this mountain or explore the trails that take you through rocky paths and caves. You need at least a day from Osh travel to explore this majestic mountain.
2. National Historical and Archeological Museum
This museum is built into the caves on the western end of Mount Suleiman Too. It is a great place to begin Osh sightseeing as you get to learn about the history and culture of the region. The museum has two floors divided into 13 rooms carved into the mountain. You will see more than 33,000 archaeological and ethnographic artifacts that tell tales of the history, politics, religion, and traditions of the region. The second floor also has an observation deck. It is one of the best spots to get an incredible view of the entire Osh city. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.
3. 3 Storey Yurt
This is the only 3 story Yurt (traditional Mongolian tent) in the world. This unique structure also sits at the base of Mount Suleiman Too. This yurt houses a regional museum dedicated to Osh and Alymbek Dakta, the iconic Kyrgyz leader. It is one of the most insightful Osh attractions. The museum looks at the history and culture of Osh and the life and achievements of Alymbek Dakta and his wife Kumanjan. You will need an hour or so to explore this museum.
4. Jayma Bazaar
It may not seem like when you come here, but the history of this market goes back 2,000 years. It was an important juncture on the Silk Road and is one of the oldest markets in Central Asia. It is one of the best places to visit in Osh city to shop for souvenirs and mingle with the locals. The market sells local produces, spices, regional handicraft items, textiles, street food, spices, and more. Just know that when you roam the Jayma Bazaar, you are extending the traditions of the Silk Road. You will need about an hour to tour this market when you visit Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
5. Zadneprovsky Park / Memorial Park
This park is dedicated to several tragic events that befell the people of Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The park has an eternal flame to honor the victims of the Great Patriotic War, like many other ex-Soviet Union cities. The park has several Osh tourist attractions in form of memorials. You will see a memorial dedicated to the 4,000 Kyrgyz people who were sent to Chernobyl and one dedicated to the victims of ethnic riots. The park is also adjacent to one of the most popular things to see in Osh city: the largest Lenin statue in Central Asia. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this park.
6. Russian Orthodox Church
This church was a major cultural center when the region was under Soviet rule. It was reopened in 1992 and is considered the heart of the Russian community in Osh city. The church is known for its vibrant blue exterior and classical design features. Though a simple structure, this church is known among Osh attractions for its historical and cultural significance. You would need 20 to 30 minutes to visit this church, it’s right next to the Memorial Park & the Lenin Statue.
7. Soviet Murals
There are several Soviet-era buildings in Osh city that are lined with murals. These murals depict different Soviet ideologies. You can use this Google Maps, to embark on a treasure hunt for these things to see in Osh city. You will need about 2 hours to hunt down all of them.
8. Osh Animal Bazaar
This market is held on Sunday mornings and you will see people gather around to sell their animals. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. You will see goats, horses, cows, and sheep. The atmosphere is loud and noisy as people bargain with one another. It is a part of the Kyrgyz culture and quite a memorable sight. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to experience this market.
9. Navoi Park
This park is popular among the locals for leisure and fun things to do in Osh city. It has green spaces, amusement rides, cafes, and picnic spots. You will also see a lot of old folks playing chess in the park, if you are up for it, you can participate as well. It is also home to an abandoned Soviet Plane, which is one of the most popular Osh tourist attractions to click pictures. You can spend 30 to 45 minutes exploring this park.
10. Uzgen Town
This little ancient town is home to several historical and cultural attractions. You will need to make a day trip during Osh travel to visit Uzgen, but it’s worth it if you are interested in history. The town has an 11th-century mausoleum, historical bath houses, traditional rice mills, Uzbek-style Kakhanid buildings, and more. You will see a lot of traditional Islamic architecture exploring this town. While you are in Uzgen, you should try their traditional Plov, Pulow, or Pilev. It’s a traditional rice dish made with meat and assorted spices. It is truly a culinary delight. You will need about 4 to 5 hours to explore this town.
11. Kyrgyz Ata National Park
This National Park covers several Alpine Mountains and is best known for its natural beauty and vibrant wildlife. It is the place to be if you are looking for outdoor things to do in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. This national park has wonderful hiking and trekking trails with incredible campsites. You will get to explore a variety of terrains including plains, rivers, valleys, forests, waterfalls, mountains, caves, grasslands, and more. The park also houses several small towns, farms, and historical sites. You will need to dedicate an entire day to this national park when you visit Osh city.
12. Ak Tor Pass
This mountain pass has some of the most breathtaking natural sights in Central Asia. You can tour this pass in a vehicle or embark on a multi-day trek to truly explore the hidden gems amidst the mountains. During the trek, you can stay in a traditional Yurt tent and experience the nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan. You will need at least a day to enjoy the scenic beauty of this mountain pass.
13. Baba Atash Mountains
These mountains are known for numerous natural attractions. You can tour forests, waterfalls, grasslands, lakes, river valleys, caves, and rock formations. Baba Atash mountains are especially known for their walnut tree forests. They are also home to some of the most fun places to visit near Osh. You will need at least a day to explore the offerings of these mountains.
14. Arslanbob Village
This pretty little village sits in the laps of the Baba Atash mountains and is the perfect Osh tourist attraction to experience rural life. The town is surrounded by Walnut forests, and you can buy some fresh after picking. The village has several homestays offering home-cooked meals if you are looking for a cultural experience during Osh travel. It is also the starting point for many hiking trails and forest tours. You can easily make an overnight trip from Osh to explore this village.
15. Alay Mountains
These mountains are home to some amazing trekking trails. These trails will take you across valleys, mountain lakes, forests, rocky peaks, and grasslands. You will come across many villages and Yurt campsites along these trails. The trails range from overnight to multi-day. The starting point for most of these trails is the Sary Mogul village, which is quite accessible from Osh city.
If you love nature and adventure then I suggest you should book 8 Days Trekking in Alay Mountains.
If you are looking for more places to visit in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of activities and attractions that you can enjoy in and around Osh.
Things to do in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Monument to Alymbek Datka
- Lenin Monument
- National Historical and Archeological Museum
- Oshskiy Oblastnoy Muzey
- Suleiman Mountian Museum
- Memorial Park
- Russian Orthodox Church
- 3 Story Yurt
- Regional Museum of Fine Arts of Sadykov
- Rabat Abdullakhan Mosque
- Shahid Tepa Mosque
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Suleiman Too Mountain
- Ak Buura River
- Kyrgyz Ata National Park
- Alay Mountains
- Baba Atash Mountains
- Ak Tor Pass
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Ak Buura Tsentr Otdykkha Amusement Centre
- Alisher Navoi Park
- Park Lyubvi
- Razzakov Park
Shopping in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Jayma Bazaar
- Osh Market
- Dakta Shopping Mall
Sightseeing in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Soviet Murals
- Animal Bazaar
- Uzgen Village
- Arslanbob Village
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
- Tsarski Dvor
- Brio
- Oasis
- Borsok
- Tooman Restro Bar
- Cafe Aztek
- Manas Ata Restoranty
- Nirvana Cafe
- California Cafe
- Meerim Restoranty
- Panaroma
Where to Stay in Osh?
Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Osh. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Osh.
- Jannat Resort Osh
- Rayan Hotel
- Guest House VIP
- Hotel Orto Asia
- Osh-Nuru Hotel
- TES Hotel
- Ethno Hotel Osh
- Silk Way Boutique Hotel
- Eco House
- Sunrise Guesthouse
- Lovely Home For You
- Hotel Sunrise Osh
How to Reach Osh, Kyrgyzstan?
By Air
The city is served by Osh International Airport which sits 12 km outside the city center. You can get direct flights to visit Osh from Moscow, Sharjah, Bishkek, Abakan, Kuwait City, Istanbul, Muscat, and several other cities in Central Asia. You can get buses and cabs to get to Osh city from the airport.
By Road
You can get buses to get to Osh from several cities and towns in Kyrgyzstan. You can also hire rentals from major cities to reach here.
If you are planning to reach Osh city by road, you should head west on routes A370 or A373.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to reach Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
Image Reference
- Sulayman Mountain (Sulamain Too) – Adam Harangozó / Wikimedia Commons
- National Historical and Archeological Museum – cercamon / Flickr
- 3 Storey Yurt – deactualizator / Wikimedia Commons
- Jayma Bazaar –
- Zadneprovsky Park / Memorial Park –
- Russian Orthodox Church –
- Soviet Murals –
- Osh Animal Bazaar –
- Navoi Park –
- Uzgen Town – Makalu / PixaBay
- Kyrgyz Ata National Park –
- Ak Tor Pass –
- Baba Atash Mountains –
- Arslanbob Village – Kondephy / Wikimedia Commons
- Alay Mountains – Nihongarden / Wikimedia Commons
