Monuments to visit Ferghana

The minaret, built in the late ^10th or early ^11th century, measures almost 20 m and must have been double that when it was built. Its bare-brick decoration is typical of the pre-Mongol era. In the center, the Nasr-ibn Ali mausoleum is the oldest of the three (^11th c.) and houses the first khan of the Karakhanid dynasty. The northern mausoleum (1152-1153) is that of Hassan ibn Hussein ibn Ali. The chiselled terracotta of the southern mausoleum (1187) is the most admirable.

Obviously if you've been to the bazaars of Bishkek or Osh, this one will seem quite modest. But it is still worth a visit for the textile part, which has made its reputation. It stretches all along the railway line, opposite the Tsoum department store. Of course, there are many cheap clothes made in China, but if you browse around you will also find more typical Kyrgyzstani items, made of good quality felt or leather. As in all bazaars, prices will have to be negotiated boldly.