"The Royal Woods" of Southern Kyrgyzstan.
In the Djalal-Abad region of Southern Kyrgyzstan lie the walnut groves of Arslan Bob.
Arslan Bob is said to be named after an 11th century hero who met his death nearby betrayed by his wife to his enemies. His footprints, handprints and bloodstains are said to be still visible at the spot.
There is another account, which tells of a modest and earnest, hardworking man charged by the prophet Muhammed with finding a beautiful and comfortable place a paradise on earth. He traveled through many lands until he found a picturesque valley with a foaming mountain river but which lacks trees. Inspired by his reports, the prophet sent him a bag of seeds of many different types of fruit tree including, of course, the walnut tree. The hero climbed to the top of a mountain and spread the seeds over the valley transforming it into a "garden" which he tended for many years.
In Russian, walnuts are known as "Gretski" or "Greek" nuts, because Alexander the Great sent plants back to Greece from his campaign in Central Asia. It is not clear how the trees arrived here - they originated in Malaysia. Nuts from the area were exported along the Silk Road in its heyday. Here the trees, with their dome shaped crowns atop two meter thick trunks, can reach a height of 30 meters and are found growing wild on mountain slopes and along river banks at an altitude of between 1000 and 1800 meters above Sea Level. Arslan Bob itself lies at 1700 m. a.s.l. The whole region is like an orchard and boasts much different variety of fruits. The village has a population of about 15,000 and stretches a long way up the valley, nestling on the hillsides giving many of the houses spectacular views. In the small village square is a statue of a lion. There is also the Arstanbap-Aty mausoleum (dating from the 15th century). Nearby is a new mosque. Within easy walking distance of the village center is a small waterfall (about 23 meters tall) and in the cliff opposite is a small cave, or grotto known as the "Cave of Forty Angels" where a holy woman used to live people would come to her and make petitions. A little further off is a much larger waterfall (actually it is split into two sections of 60 meters and 80 meters), and "Holy Lake". A day trip can be organized (walking or horse riding) taking in the main sites. The village is a traditional, mainly Uzbek, community and conservative dress is a good idea. There is a "tour basa" here dating from Soviet times when the village was a popular center for various activities.