TOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan is a country with an ancient history and rich culture. Uzbekistan can offer any tourist the journey of his dreams. In Uzbekistan architectural masterpieces of the centuries-old history of Uzbeks, incredible nature, harmoniously combining mountains, green valleys and hot deserts, countless festivals in every region of our country, gastronomic diversity and culinary delights, ethno-tourist villages can be found here!
Uzbekistan is a mysterious country of the East, where the history of cities gathered in legends, where the sun shines all year round and this reflects the unique nature and beautiful hearts of people. Today Uzbekistan is a country of new opportunities and discoveries for tourists from all over the world. The evidence can be seen by the following facts:
No restrictions on entry into Uzbekistan;
Visa-free regime for tourists from 91 countries and a simplified system for issuing an electronic visa for citizens of 57 countries.
Absence of a language barrier;
A huge number of hotels, boutique hotels, health centers, tourist areas of international level and other infrastructure facilities built for the convenience of tourists.
Located in the heart of the Central Asia, the Republic of Uzbekistan is famous for its numerous architectural monuments, incredible natural landscapes, magnificent palaces, and ruins of fortresses of past civilizations, outstanding cultural events, gastronomic delights and famous craft workshops. From the first visit, our country evokes extraordinary feelings that prompt us to come here repeatedly. The Republic of Uzbekistan includes 12 regions and the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. Each corner of Uzbekistan attracts with its features. In Tashkent, you can take a walk in the most beautiful metro in the world or see the most ancient manuscript – the Koran of Usman. In the historical cities included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List – Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Khiva, you can visit the most ancient architectural monuments that have preserved echoes of past eras. In the southernmost part of the country – Surkhandarya, you can travel through mountain gorges or see the ruins of the ancient cities near Termez.
There are an infinite number of ways to have fun and interesting time in the world: go on a trip or adventure, explore something, touch sacred places, see unique places untouched by civilization, improve health, have an active rest, experience extreme sports or just spend time in nature with family or friends, and all this is connected with tourism and the tourism industry in general. There are all three main types of tourism in Uzbekistan: inbound, outbound and domestic. Inbound and domestic tourism includes both basic and specific tourism products: excursions to tourist attractions; accommodation in hotels, recreation areas, resorts, sanatoriums, tourist villages, yurt camps, camping; tasting of national dishes and wines; participation in festivals and celebrations; comfortable travel around the country. All types of travel and recreation in Uzbekistan can be divided by types into sports, ethnic, youth, ecological, gastronomic, medical, cultural, MICE, pilgrimage, literary, winter, cycling and other types of tourism. Tourists arriving in Uzbekistan travel either alone, or with friends or family, or as part of a group tour with a guide, which will take travelers along a pre-planned route to interesting and exciting places, in accordance with their goals and planned travel budget.
Those who like to practice sport in the fresh air and away from the big cities are welcomed Uzbekistan. The sport tourism in Uzbekistan can be divided into Water tourism, Air tourism, Mountain tourism, Mountaineering and rock climbing, Hiking, Horse riding, Cycling. The mild climate allows you to practice most sports almost all year round. For classic winter sports, there are four well-equipped mountain resorts: Chimgan, Beldersay, Amirsoy and Yangiabad. Their number is growing.
Uzbekistan offers numerous opportunities for extreme sports due to its vast and diverse landscapes, although these sports are still new in the country. These include:
-extreme skiing, snowboard;
-motorcycle racing, rallying, motocross;
-skateboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning and paragliding.
Do you need to relax and feel the harmony and balance on the camping? Visit one of the Uzbek villages. Uzbekistan offers a wide variety of ethnic tours. Here you can participate in the life of rural residents, live in a remote village or in the yurts, attend a local wedding or celebration of the baby birth, ride horses and camels, go on a safari through the colorful deserts and enjoy the unique exotic fauna of diverse Uzbekistan.
Living in a tourist village is a great opportunity to see rural life from the inside. Wake up with the sound of birds, enjoy the most natural breakfast, lie on the grass and admire the blue sky, see how to cook pilaf on the hearth, how to milk a cow and participate in the harvest, see how to make ceramics by hand or the world’s most beautiful silk using ancient technology. All these can be seen during the living in the tourist village. If you want to join the life and culture of the northern people of Uzbekistan and learn the centuries-old traditions and the way of life of local residents, choose yurt camps. What can be better for the suffering traveler than the active leisure in the nature, giving a lot of interesting impressions and emotions.
When planning a trip with friends, you should definitely pay attention to Uzbekistan, because it offers quite a few advantages for young people:
-Affordable prices
-Yurt camps and hostels
-24-hour pubs, bars and restaurants
-Cool electronic music festivals
-Extreme tours
-Ski resorts
-Security
When distributing their budget during the trip, the young tourists often try to save money, and it is real here.
You can come to the country both by plane and by international train, by bus or taxi, which will save a lot of money.
You can stay here either in an expensive hotel or in a cozy guesthouse or hostel.
After a long day of sightseeing, you can spend time in a bar or hookah for a small sum, eat pilaf in a teahouse or hang out with friends in a nightclub.
You can shop in one of the many shopping centers that offer the clothing from both the world brands and local manufacturers. By the way, speaking of shopping, we advise you to buy some Uzbek accessory for memory, whether it is a skullcap or a silk scarf.
Do you know that you can also come to Uzbekistan to visit a cool party with eminent DJs? The musical festivals, such as “Stikhiya”, are held in the country all year round, both in a noisy capital and in the desert on the shores of the dried Aral Sea.
Gastronomy is one more reason to fall in love with Uzbekistan. Having arrived to our country, you can refuse any excursion, but you will never refuse food, especially here, where even at the airport the air is saturated with the smell of delicious dishes. Uzbek cuisine is one of the most colorful and richest in Central Asia. The centuries-old culinary traditions of the settled and nomadic peoples of the region are now collected in a single and understandable puzzle of delicious dishes of Uzbek cuisine. The gastronomic trip to Uzbekistan will give you an unforgettable taste experience for the whole year and you will certainly want to repeat it even at home.
It is no secret that Uzbekistan is attractive for its rich cultural and historical heritage, unique architecture and art. The ancient historical monuments of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Khiva, Urgench, Termez, Karakalpakstan are the main foundation of historical and educational tourism in Uzbekistan. Did you know that in our country there are more than 7000 objects of cultural heritage, many of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical centers of Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Khiva – this and much more is evidence of the huge potential of Uzbekistan in the arena of the global tourism market. A trip to the ancient cities of our country, attracting with its unique architecture, monuments of cultural heritage, old shops and artisan’s workshops, will undoubtedly leave a bright and unforgettable experience for every traveler. One of the best ways to get in touch with the centuries-old history of Uzbekistan and discover a new culture is to visit various museums located in all regions of the country. There are more than 400 different museums in our country, of which 155 are state-owned. Their main focus is – history, local history, fine and applied art, as well as memorial house-museums of prominent figures of culture and art. The most famous large and significant museums of the country are: The State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of the History of Timurids, the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, the State Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan named after I.V. Savitsky, State Museum of Nature of Uzbekistan and others.
Uzbekistan is famous for its versatility and grandiosity of major holidays, festivals and exhibitions. Each event is unique. The main purpose for organizing cultural events is to unite the people, transmit true cultural values and create a global business platform. Every day is a holiday in Uzbekistan. With special trepidation, the people are waiting for March 21 – the personification of the Navroz – “New day” and the spring equinox. The incredible beauty of this holiday puts the hearts of guests in a state of euphoria. On this day, it is customary to cook sumalyak, halim, cook samsa, hold celebrations and treat guests. One of the most interesting, colorful and informative events in Uzbekistan are festivals. To fully understand the culture and traditions of the Uzbek people, we recommend visiting one of the upcoming festivals during your trip around the country. Our country hosts the most vivid and diverse exhibitions – from folk and applied art products and works of fine art to industrial goods. The exhibition is not just an event, it is also a platform for meetings of professionals of a narrow-specialized circle, search for new partners, exchange of experience and conclusion of contracts. One of the largest events in Uzbekistan is the Tashkent International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road”, “Made in Uzbekistan”, “International Ziyarah Tourism Week”, “Food Week Uzbekistan”, “Welcome to Bustanlik”, festivals like “Boysun Bahori”, “Stikhiya” and others.
On the territory of Uzbekistan, there are many Holy places belonging to the Islamic culture and its current of Sufism, as well as other religions. The most valuable monuments are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among them is the city of Bukhara, called in the Islamic world Bukhara-Sharif, which means Blessed Bukhara. The city of Samarkand, which has a huge number of priceless monuments. Shakhrisabz is the birthplace of Amir Temur. Of course, these cities have an ancient and rich history and have undergone significant changes throughout their lives.
Uzbekistan is a unique country. The famous treasury of cultural artifacts, many of which are protected by the UNESCO World Heritage, includes not only majestic monuments of architecture, nature and attractions, but also priceless manuscripts of great poets and philosophers. Many of these manuscripts are located in major religious centers, museums, library archives, and private collections. The literature of Uzbekistan is the richest part of Uzbek culture. It was based on the oral folk epic of the Turkic peoples. Ancient Turkic literature, starting from the first monuments of ancient Turkic writing, is an integral part of Uzbek literature, and part of the culture of all the Turkic peoples who inhabited this vast region. The famous legends of Alpomysh, Afrosiab, Siyavush and many other colorful examples of oral folk art were composed by local peoples from time immemorial and passed down from generation to generation to convey the full flavor and richness of the national culture.
Welcome to the country of magnificent architecture and ancient traditions preserved a unique heritage. Everyone who comes to this blessed land is welcome here! If you have visited Uzbekistan once, be sure, you will want to return back here again.
Top 5 Destinations in Uzbekistan
Tashkent – The modern metropolis
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and also the largest city in Central Asia.
For many years, Tashkent has been the most important business and cultural center of the country, attracting tourists and businessmen from various countries of the world.
Popular landmarks
Tashkent has a large list of attractions. It will take several days to visit all of them.
– Wide avenues, green alleys, fountains and eco-parks for leisurely walks;
– Unique artifacts about the history and culture of the peoples of Central Asia in the numerous museums of the city;
– Majestic architectural ensembles, mosques and minarets;
– Theaters and galleries for every taste.
Here everyone can create his or her own itinerary through the top attractions of the city!
Climate
Most of the summer in Tashkent is hot, so do not forget about sunscreen and hats! Winter is mostly mild and snowless, but do not neglect warm things, it is so cool in the evening that you want to wear a scarf!
Gifts and souvenirs
Walking along the streets of Tashkent, you can find many memorable things, ranging from small trinkets to huge memorable souvenirs. Most of the souvenir workshops are located in old madrassas and at Chorsu Bazaar. There you can find absolutely everything: crafts carved from wood, pottery, national clothes, and even knives and daggers forged in local forges.
Сuisine
Tashkent restaurants with their variety and the level of service can surprise any gourmet. In the city, you can find not only national cuisine, which in Tashkent differs in taste from the identical dishes in the other parts of the country, but also the best representatives of the foreign gastronomic industry. In Tashkent, you can try Uyghur, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, European and even molecular cuisine. However, the most delicious cuisine is naturally Uzbek! Do you know that in December 2016 pilaf was included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List? Now you know it! Come to see and taste the most delicious food in the world!
Photo zones
An integral part of every trip is photography! In this section, we introduce you the most beautiful places in this city, where you can make the best shots.
The Minor Mosque was built in 2014 and was immediately liked by all residents and guests of the capital. It is made of white marble and is located in a picturesque place.
The Khazrati Imam complex (popularly known as the Khast Imam) is one of main the sightseeing places of Tashkent. It was built about four centuries ago. Now many tourists come to appreciate the beauty of the architecture of this place every day.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral is a Catholic church in Tashkent, also known in the city as the “Polish Catholic Church”. This is one of the few buildings of the Catholic Church in Uzbekistan. Each resident of Tashkent has at least one photo here.
The scientists concluded that the Turkic tribes who settled on this territory later borrowed the name, as “tash” in the Turkic languages also translated as stone. Due to its favorable location, the city was considered one of the main points on the Silk Road.
History
Nowadays, Tashkent is a modern metropolis and perfectly combines medieval buildings and modern business centres in its architecture. The city has all the conditions for a wonderful pastime. Here long-term history and modern lifestyle are merged. There are two airports, one is an international, second is a domestic and two railway stations in Tashkent. One of the main modern attractions of the city is the metro. It was opened in 1977 and was the first and the only in Central Asia. Each station has its own unique design and unique architecture.
In Tashkent, you can see historical monuments and modern mosques, stroll through the oriental bazaars, get acquainted with the thousand-year history and culture of the people in the capital’s museums, and, of course, relax in the parks, restaurants and nightlife of the city.
Samarkand – Crossroads of cultures
Samarkand can truly be called a unique city!
The greatest poets and philosophers of the world have given the city many names – the garden of the soul, the pearl of the east, the mirror of the world and even the face of the earth. However, they were not be able to describe the beauty and richness of this beautiful city.
Popular landmarks
The cultural heritage of Samarkand is quite large, for many centuries the city has been a key centre of the Great Silk Road.
At the beginning of the XXI century, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name “Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures”.
Having visited the city, you will be surprised with the number of historical monuments located here. We will try to show you the most popular attractions, which are certainly worth seeing!
Climate
The climate of Samarkand has a pronounced seasonality. Winters are usually mild and temperature does not often fall below 0 ° C. Cold snap is very rare and mostly at night, so do not forget to take a warm sweater and scarf. Summer is very hot, so do not forget to bring a hat and sunglasses with you.
Gifts and souvenirs
Samarkand souvenir shops can make happy the fans of woodcrafts, textile and other materials. By tradition, most of the workshops are placed in the old madrassas and all crafts are handmade by local artisans. However, in Samarkand, in addition to the usual souvenirs, you can find several more features that you will not find in other regions of the country. First of all, we advise you to visit the Siab bazaar, which is located next to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, almost in the centre of the old part of Samarkand. This market is abundant of dried fruits, nuts and sweets. Among other things, Samarkand bread and halva can be distinguished. Also in Samarkand region, there is a paper mill called “Meros”. Its masters have kept the method of preparing paper from mulberry bark. This method originated in the X-XI century and was particularly durable. At this factory, you can buy unusual paper crafts, such as postcards, notebooks, masks, and even dresses, dolls and handbags.
Сuisine
In Samarkand, as well as in the most of our regions, the main dish is pilaf. This type of pilaf, like Bukhara, is not mixed during cooking, which gives the pilaf a peculiar diet. In fact, this diet is that everyone can choose how many carrots and meat to put him. In addition to pilaf, various kebabs, manti and especially the bread are popular! There are some legends about the Samarkand bread, as they can be stored for as long as you want, and they will not become tough and moldy. One of the legends says that one Emir of Bukhara was very fond of Samarkand bread so much that he constantly ordered to bring it to him. However, once, when he was tired of waiting for his order each time, he thought about how to start making them in Bukhara. “Probably need to bring flour from Samarkand,” he thought. Nevertheless, it did not work. “Then you need to bring the local water”. Again, they failed. “Probably, it’s necessary to bring Samarkand clay and make tandoor from it”. The result remained the same. “Maybe it’s the master? I need the master from Samarkand”. However, even the Samarkand master could not repeat this taste in Bukhara. After that, the Emir abandoned his attempts and continued to bring his favorite bread from Samarkand.
In the bazaars of Samarkand, you can also find a huge variety of fruits, vegetables and nuts for every taste.
Photo zones
An integral part of every trip is photography! In this section, we introduce you the most beautiful places in this city, where you can make the best shots.
Registan is the main square and the most recognizable landmark of Samarkand. It includes three Madrasahs of Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla-Kari.
Gur-Emir – the mausoleum of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), his mentor Mir Sayyid Barak and some members of Temur’s family.
The Imam Bukhari International Centre is located next to the memorial complex and has a very beautiful territory. Do not miss the opportunity to make a couple of beautiful photos in the complex!
History
If you have seen Samarkand once in your life, it will forever fascinate you. Samarkand unites many various cultures located on its territory. Do you know that Samarkand is the same age as such ancient capitals of the world as Rome and Nanjing? Yes! The city was founded about 2,750 years ago, which gives it the right to be called one of the most ancient cities not only in Central Asia, but in the world as well. The peak of prosperity of the city falls on the reign of Amir Temur (Tamerlane) and his descendants.
At that time, Samarkand became the capital of his mighty empire.
There is a legend about how Temur has chosen his capital. In order to make a choice, he ordered the citizens to hang the Ram’s body on the entrance gates of all cities, and a month later he personally inspected the meat hanging on the gates. At all the gates, the carcasses decayed, and only at the gates of Samarkand, it was almost completely intact and even became wilted. Had seen this, Temur said: “This city has the cleanest air and healthy land. The capital will be here”! Tamerlane’s grandson, Mirzo Ulugbek, made this city the centre of world science. Samarkand was included in the List of “50 cities worth visiting in this life”.
Khiva – The capital of the Turkic world
Khiva is a beautiful oasis city with ancient walls, minarets and unique clay buildings.
Within the framework of the XI session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baku, Khiva was declared as the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World in 2024!
Khiva is over 2500 years old. If you want to plunge into history and see the true beauty of the ancient East, then welcome to Khiva.
Popular landmarks
The ancient Khiva is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It means that all the attractions are protected by the worldwide organization.
What you can see in Khiva:
– Main fortress – Ichan-Kala, Kunya-Ark fortress, Dishan-Kala fortress;
– Ancient mosques and madrassas, minarets, mausoleums – there are more than 100 of them in Khiva;
– Palaces and residences of Khiva rulers;
– Ancient caravanserais and baths;
– State Puppet Theater and Avesta Museum.
Climate
The climate in Khiva is dry and similar to desert weather. Summer is hot, but windy, and in winter the temperature very often drops below 0 °C, so do not forget warm things! You will definitely need them!
Gifts and souvenirs
In Khiva, as well as in other cities of Uzbekistan, you can buy a wide variety of souvenirs. In addition, several interesting things can be bought only in the Khorezm region. For example, this is a handmade doll. On the territory of Khiva there is a puppet theater, which, according to conservative estimates, is about 2000 years old! Therefore, the manufacture of puppets for performances dates back centuries, but the love of puppet shows has not died out so far. One of the main advantages of the Khorezmians is the hats “Chugurma”, which have been made since the ancient times. It looks quite bulky and heavy, but in fact, it is quite light and comfortable. The hat is made in such a way that it creates a special microclimate and thereby saves from overheating in the summer and protects from cold in the winter. In the ancient times, such hats were very expensive. Their cost was equal to the cost of a camel and therefore only wealthy people could buy them. Now the price for it is much lower and fans of unusual hats definitely like it! On the territory of Khiva, you can purchase a variety of woodcrafts as well. Local artisans create everything from tiny chess pieces to staves and carved doors! Whatever sophisticated taste you have, local artisans will be able to satisfy you.
Сuisine
The recipes is changing from region to region and if you taste the same dish in different cities, you will be surprised how much the taste varies! Khorezm cuisine is one of the most unusual in Uzbekistan, because the natural conditions are quite difficult there. You can often find one unusual dish… It is called “tukhum-barak”, which literally translates as a boiled egg. What is unusual, you may ask? The finished dish resembles dumplings in shape, and its way of cooking is quite unusual. The dough is filled with raw eggs and very quickly thrown into the boiling water before it drains. It is said that this dish was prepared for the khans before their visits to the harems. In addition, the favorite dish of the local people is fish. It is no exaggeration to say that the fish is prepared incomparably and even if you do not like seafood, you will not be able to resist the local fish. One of the iconic dishes is Shivit Osh or Green Lagman (noodle). Locals use Shivit greens to make noodles green. It is served with katyk (sour milk) and meat in vegetable sauce.
Photo zones
An integral part of every trip is photography! In this section, we introduce you the most beautiful places in this city, where you can make the best shots.
It is impossible to make a bad photo on the territory of Ichan-Kala fortress. Everything around is literally saturated with the atmosphere of the past and walking along these streets, you feel the spirit of the time.
There are certain places where you can get special shots. One of such places is Juma (Friday) Mosque, built in the X century. Its distinctive feature is that it does not have an entrance and domes, the roof of the building is supported by 213 columns of different sizes, shapes and even made in different centuries.
Among the special places, one can also highlight the Kalta-Minor Minaret, which is located near the western gate of Ota-Darvoz. The minaret was supposed to be the highest in Central Asia but could not be completed.
History
Khiva is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan, founded 2500 years ago. Also within is Ichan, the only city where the castle is located, a real fortress dating back to the Middle Ages.
According to legend, the city appeared around the Heyvak well, which was dug by the order of Som, the son of Prophet Noah, mentioned in the Bible. During its long history, Khiva has experienced the rule of various dynasties of Khorezm rulers, but it has always been its capital since ancient times.
Everything seems unusual here – cuisine, people, speech, even architecture. Almost everything is preserved in its original form. The streets are paved with stone. Like chess pieces, minarets, the domes of the madrassas and the mosques can be seen everywhere. Even the modern buildings are inspired by the antiquity.
In 1990, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Bukhara – The Capital of Islamic Culture
Sacred Bukhara is one of the tourist gems of Uzbekistan. The historic city centre is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The age of the city exceeds 2500 years.
Let us say one thing. You will lose lots, if you not visit Bukhara.
Popular landmarks
If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of an ancient oriental tale, visit the top attractions of Bukhara.
Bukhara is:
– Architectural Complex Poi-Kalon is recognized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as the “Eighth Miracle”
– Great minarets, mosques and madrassas;
– Ancient citadels, mausoleums and tombs;
– Centre of the Islamic East and many objects for pilgrimage; Ancient centres of trade and crafts.
Climate
The climate here can be described as hot and arid in the summer, so if you want to travel to Bukhara at this time of the year, be sure to bring an umbrella and sunscreen with you. Winters in Bukhara are rather mild, but warm things should not be neglected.
Gifts and souvenirs
On Bukhara streets, you can find many different souvenir shops and workshops. Sometimes it seems that all souvenirs are the same, but this is not true! Each seller have something to surprise you! Bukhara is the weaving capital of Uzbekistan! If you want to purchase stylish and modern wardrobe elements with the national elements, you should visit Bukhara! Most of the shops are located along Lyabi-Hauz Square and in the shopping domes, which are located next to the famous Poi-Kalyan Ensemble. In addition to the clothes, you can buy ikat fabric. Armani trading house have used such this fabric in its collection. It is, of course, not cheap, but its price is fully justified. Bukhara is also famous for its carpets. The quality of the carpets is not inferior to the Indian, Pakistani and Iranian, and sometimes even surpass! For exotic lovers, Bukhara can offer musical instruments that are made on its territory with special skill or handmade knives.
Сuisine
The main dish of all cities of Uzbekistan is pilaf. Traveling across the regions of the country, you will be surprised how many different types of this dish is being prepared. In every city, people are convinced that pilaf of their region is the best in the country! Only having tasted it in all regions, you are able to understand which one is the best for you. Osh-Sophie is considered dietary because of the cooking method. It is being prepared in a peculiar way; it is not mixed, unlike in Andijan or Tashkent. Another feature is that it is cooked only in a copper cauldron. Bukhara dishes also include khalis or kaish.
Photo zones
An integral part of every trip is photography! In this section, we introduce you the most beautiful places in this city, where you can make the best shots.
“Ark” is an ancient citadel, which was destroyed and rebuilt many times over its thousand-year history and every time it became better and stronger. Now you can personally enjoy its greatness and capture it!
Samanids Mausoleum is located in the historical part of Bukhara. It is a prominent representative of the Islamic architecture of Central Asia. Ismail Samani, the second Emir of the Samanid State, built it.
Khalifa Niyazkul Madrasah, also known as Chor-Minor, was opened in 1807. Due to its unusual appearance, both residents and guests love it.
History
This majestic city, according to the most conservative estimates, is more than 2500 years old and there are many ancient mosques, madrassas and tombs of the Islamic saints on its territory. Throughout the history, people have said that graceful light descends from heaven to all Muslim cities, but only above Bukhara this light will rise to heaven. Bukhara is the only city in Central Asia whose history was almost completely documented by the famous historian of the X century – Narshakhi. In his writings, he said that no city had as many names as Bukhara. In China in the V century, it was called Nyumi, during the Tang Empire, it was called An, Ansi, Buho and Buhe. However, most often in history it is mentioned as Bukhara. According to the etymologists, this name comes from the Sogdian “bukharak”, which translates as “happy place”. Now on the territory of Bukhara there are more than 140 monuments belonging to the different eras, quarters and even entire areas, erected more than one century ago, have been preserved. Bukhara is also called the city of poetry and fairy tales, as the whole old city is full of legends and stories! By the way, the historical part of the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.
Shakhrisabz – Homeland of Amir Temur
Shahrisabz is one of the ancient and beautiful cities of Uzbekistan. Its historical centre is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The great commander Amir Temur was born in this city.
The city with its green trees and flowers rightfully got its name “Green City”.
Popular landmarks
What to see in Shahrisabz?
Arriving to Shahrisabz, you should definitely see the ruins of the ancient Ak-Saray Palace, the Kok-Gumbaz mosque, the Dor-ut Tilovat memorial complex, and the mausoleums of Dor-us Saodat, Shamsad-Din Kulala, Gumbazi-Seyidan.
Interesting fact
The main highway – the large Uzbek highway, repeating the route of the great Italian traveler Marco Polo, passes through Shakhrisabz.
Climate
The climate in Shakhrisabs is almost the same as in Samarkand. It also has a pronounced seasonality. Winter is mild and not cold, but it is better to have a woolen sweater in your luggage, because it is cool at night. Summer is usually very hot. Sometimes the daytime temperature lasts until midnight.
Gifts and souvenirs
Walking in the centre of Shakhrisabz, you can see many souvenir shops located in the old madrassas or just along the road. Masters are ready to offer a huge variety of crafts, such as clay figures of good-natured grandfathers with watermelons, carved caskets and many fabrics. The magnets depicting the city, which can be found everywhere, dominate most of this. In addition to the usual clay and ceramics products, there are works made of wood, paper, leather and even marble.
Сuisine
Having visited Shakhrisabz, do not forget to taste the local cuisine! The tandoor-kebab takes the second place in the list of the most delicious dishes after pilaf. Historically, the best tandoor-kebab is cooked in the Kashkadarya region! This dish came to us from the ancient times, when most of the inhabitants of Central Asia were nomads. Because people were constantly on the road, the cooks had to invent the new, faster and more convenient ways of cooking. Then a special method was invented for the preparation of tandoor-kebab. First, a hole is dug in the ground with a depth of not more than 1 meter and the same diameter. Then the firewood is put there. While the wood burns to the coals, the cook cuts the lamb into large pieces and flavour them with salt and special spices. Further, the meat pieces are sticked on skewers and are lowered into the hot pit. A plate made of felt is placed on top of the pit and sprinkled with a thick layer of ground. The main feature of this cooking method is the juniper branches, which are placed in the hearth for aroma and added as spices. You will not confuse this delicious taste with anything! Having tasted it once, you will never forget it!
Photo zones
An integral part of every trip is photography! In this section, we introduce you the most beautiful places in this city, where you can make the best shots.
The endless nature of the Shakhrisabz region will not leave you cold! Be sure to make some photos shoot!
A park on the site of Ak-Saray Palace can be a great place for a walk, since there are many green and beautiful places where you can sit, relax and, of course, take some pictures!
The Kunduzak mosque. It was built in the 19th century and is located not far from the Darut-Tilavat Madrasah. After a recent reconstruction, it looks like new and attracts lovers of beautiful photographs.
History
The city is 80 km from Samarkand. Shakhrisabz is translated as “Green City” and is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan.
Shakhrisabz is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the great commander Amir Temur (Tamerlane). Under his leadership, the city became a real centre of science and art.
You can find many architectural attractions in the city. The historical centre of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Government of Uzbekistan is actively introducing the concept of “Shakhrisabz – the city of festivals”, which reveals the huge potential of the city as a centre of culture and tourism. So, on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in September 2018, the International Folk Art Festival was held in Shakhrisabz for the first time. The festival is going to be held in the city every two years.
National Tourism Portal:
uzbektourism.uz (https://uzbektourism.uz/en)
uzbekistan.travel (https://uzbekistan.travel/en/)
