Visit Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Osh is one of the oldest recorded cities in Central Asia, at more than 2,500 years old, and the cultural and logistical hub for Southern Kyrgyzstan and the Fergana Valley.

The highlights here are a gigantic, sprawling bazaar and some interesting Muslim relics. Of the latter the most famous is the so-called Solomon's Throne, a rocky hillock jutting up above the city, where it is claimed that the Prophet Mohammed once prayed.

Around Osh

A few hours drive to the north, the leafy village of Arslanbob nestles at 1,600 metres beneath the granite cliffs of sacred Mount Babash-Ata. The temperate climate, warm welcome and spectacular setting make this mainly Uzbek settlement a delightful place to relax and experience a little local life.