Uzgen

This charming historic city situated on the border with Uzbekistan is one of the oldest in Kirghizistan territory. Built more than two thousand years ago, the city of Uzgen was an important crossroads of civilizations on the Silk Road and the capital of the Karakhanids. Even today, it retains that cosmopolitan character, with a mixed population that is predominantly Uzbek.

On the road between Osh and Arslanbob, Uzgen makes for the perfect stopover to immerse yourself in Central Asian history and unwind between hikes. Welcome to this treasure of the Fergana Valley.

A Brief History

Nestled in the Fergana Valley, a fertile and densely populated region shared between Uzbekistan, Kirghizistan, and Tajikistan, the city of Uzgen is one of the oldest cities in Kirghizistan territory. The Kyrgyz have always been a nomadic people, living in mountain pastures with their herds and yurts: it was only with the arrival of the Soviet Union that they began to settle. Yet several very ancient cities exist in present-day Kirghizistan, legacies of the Silk Road which saw thousands of merchants and their caravans pass through Kirghizistan every year for centuries.

The earliest traces of civilization in Uzgen date back to the 2nd century BCE. Even then, the city had been designed as a marketplace and trading hub, a role it maintains to this day. It was a supply point on the route leading from the Fergana Valley to Kashgar, in China.

Later, Uzgen became the capital of the Turkic Karakhanid empire (10th–13th centuries). It was during this period that the city, then called Maravannahr, flourished. The city was densely populated—some historians even claimed you could cross it rooftop to rooftop, so closely packed were the buildings.

On the Silk Road, Uzgen served as a resting point for caravans. It featured public baths and mosques, some of which still stand today.

Uzgen Today

Nowadays, the city of Uzgen remains an important commercial hub on the route between the capital Bishkek and Osh, more precisely between Osh and Jalal-Abad or Arslanbob. You will likely have the opportunity to stop here during your stay in Kirghizistan.

Uzgen is the capital of the province of the same name in Kirghizistan, which is one of the most densely populated regions in the country. This city is predominantly Uzbek: more than 90 percent of the population is of Uzbek origin. There are also Kyrgyz, Russian, Tajik, and Tatar minorities.

It's the perfect opportunity to discover another culture within Kirghizistan itself, to wander through bustling streets, to explore typical bazaars of Central Asia, and of course to trace the threads of Silk Road history.

The inhabitants of Uzgen live primarily from agriculture, particularly rice production. Uzgen rice, a variety of red rice, is world-renowned and highly prized throughout Central Asia. It's the variety used to prepare the famous traditional dish "plov".

Beyond visiting the open-air museum of Uzgen, which houses Karakhanid monuments, you can rest in a historic public bath from the same era (near the museum, Lenin Street), visit the local market which will awaken all your senses, or see a rice mill.

The city is located right next to Kara-Choro National Park.

The Minaret of Uzgen

At the heart of Uzgen lies an important historic complex. It features a madrasa, a minaret, a mosque, and the mausolea of three members of the Karakhanid dynasty. While the ancient buildings were partly destroyed by Genghis Khan's invasion in the 13th century and a major earthquake in the 20th century, some of these monuments remain well preserved and allow you to imagine life during the Silk Road era and the khanate.

Magnificent details are still visible on these structures. Archaeological excavations have also uncovered objects dating from the Silk Road: coins, gold and silver, vases, ceramics, and more.

The minaret of Uzgen originally stood 44 meters tall. It now reaches just 20 meters. The tower is very well preserved and has been recently renovated. You can climb to the top of the dome to enjoy a panoramic view of the valley, its rice paddies, and the Pamir Mountains. The stairs are very narrow, steep, and dark, so be careful!

Practical Information

The city of Uzgen is located between Osh and Jalal-Abad in the south of the country. You can reach it by car from Bishkek (615 km, approximately 10 hours) or Osh (55 km, approximately 1 hour), by shared taxi or marshrutka (minibus).

To reach Osh, you can take the road that crosses Kirghizistan from north to south (expect 10 to 12 hours of driving), or fly from the capital (approximately 1 hour). In any case, the mountainous landscape is stunning!

Hours and Admission

The historic complex is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter. Admission costs 40 soms.

The bazaar operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

The historic public bath is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission costs 100 soms.

To visit a mill, arrange a visit through your agency or guide.