Osh, Ancient trading city in southern Kyrgyzstan.
Osh is a first-level administrative division in southern Kyrgyzstan that follows the course of the Akbura River at an elevation of nine hundred and sixty-three meters (3160 feet). The five-peaked Sulaiman-Too mountain rises at the center, dominating the cityscape with its rocky slopes and caves that have been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The city began as a trading post along the Silk Road and connected merchants from China, India, and Europe during the fifteenth century through its position on major caravan routes. The center remained in the same location for over two thousand years and grew into a crossroads between the high mountain regions and the southern plains.
The central bazaar of Osh maintains its original location after 2000 years, offering local products, textiles, and traditional foods from diverse ethnic communities.
Several daily flights connect the international airport to Bishkek, and the city provides access to mountain regions in the south of the country. The elevation can cause mild shortness of breath on arrival, so it helps to take the first day slowly.
The rocks of Sulaiman-Too hold petroglyphs from different centuries, and the caves shelter two mosques from the sixteenth century that remain in use for religious purposes. Visitors can reach the summits along steep trails that wind between the rock faces.
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