Uzgen is a small town on the old Silk Road in southern Kyrgyzstan, between Jalal-Abad and Osh. It is worth a stop for two things: its 12th-century Karakhanid monuments and its bazaar.
The Uzgen Minaret and three mausoleums date from the 11th and 12th centuries, when Uzgen was a capital of the Karakhanid dynasty. The brick minaret, with its intricate geometric patterns, is featured on one of the Kyrgyz som banknotes. The mausoleums next to it are fine examples of early Islamic architecture in Central Asia.
The bazaar is the commercial heart of the area, sprawling and busy, with Uzbek merchants selling produce, cloth and housewares to the surrounding villages. It is a working market, not a tourist attraction, which makes it all the more interesting.
Uzgen is easily reached from Osh (about two hours by taxi over a rough road) or Jalal-Abad (one hour). There is no reason to overnight here, but it makes a worthwhile half-day excursion from either city.