Uzgen
Uzgen is a city located in the south of Kyrgyzstan, it is the oldest city in the country and the administrative center of one of its regions.
Uzgen was founded in the 1-2 century BC and is the same age as the Great Silk Road. Since ancient times, the city was an important point on the way from China to Central Asia, in the local caravanserais numerous travelers stopped to rest, there was an oriental bazaar.
Since 1141, the city of Uzgen was one of the two capitals of the Karakhanid state. At the beginning of the 13th century, Genghis Khan attacked the city and practically destroyed it. After the attack of the Tatar-Mongols, Uzgen lost its significance and was revived as a city only after 700 years. In 1927, Uzgen regained its status as a city.
Uzgen is located on the right bank of the Karadarya River (one of the largest rivers flowing into the Syr Darya) 54 kilometers from the south capital of Kyrgyzstan, the city of Osh. Uzgen is a medium-sized city in which about 60 thousand people live. The climate in the city is sharply continental, moderately hot, the air temperature in summer reaches 30° C, in winter the temperature rarely drops below zero.
During the reign of the Karakhanids, a unique 44-meter-high minaret was built in Uzgen, as well as a madrasa, a mosque and the mausoleum of their dynasty. In the city there are mausoleums and burials of Muslim saints (mazars), dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, there are remains of a fortress wall that once surrounded the city.
Not far from the city there are the tourist center "Salam Alik" and the famous recreation area "Kara-Shoro", in which you will find the eponymous natural spring with healing water.
The city has a monument to Manas - the Kirghiz strong man, who, according to legend, united the Kirghiz.
Among the attractions of the city and its environs can also be noted delightful Uzgen rice, which is rich in nutrients and is famous not only in Kyrgyzstan. If you visit the city of Uzgen, be sure to try the delicious Uzgen pilaf prepared from selected Uzgen rice - this pilaf is famous all over Asia, it is rightfully considered one of the most delicious dishes of Kyrgyzstan!