Uzbekistan: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

Ever imagined how an Aladdin setting would look like in real life? Think ancient mosques, dazzling minarets and Medieval-style Islamic monuments gloriously exhibiting the country’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. That’s barely scratching the surface for what Uzbekistan has in store for you. Proudly boasting the iconic Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara, this Central Asian country is a melting pot of cultures given its spellbinding history under the Persian, Arab, Russian and British rulers.

With its line-up of fascinating marvels and enthralling experiences, here’s everything that you need to know about this underrated destination to make the most of your trip.

See:

Samarkand

Nestled in the valley of the Zerafshan River, Samarkand is home to some of the finest masterpieces in Uzbekistan. Known for its iconic Registan Square that includes the three magnificent madrasahs—the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah, Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. With sites like Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda complex and the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, the ancient city will dazzle you with its architectural grandeur.

Bukhara

With over 140 stunning monuments, buzzing bazaars, towering minarets and majestic fortifications, Bukhara will leave you in awe with its spellbinding architectural complexes. Its narrow streets and quaint neighbourhoods dotted with spectacular buildings are a testament of its rich history. Be it the Kalon Mosque, Chor Minar or the massive royal fortress—the Ark of Bukhara, the town is a storehouse of monuments that will take your breath away.

Tashkent

The capital city of Uzbekistan, Tashkent offers an eclectic mix of ancient and cosmopolitan. Serving as the main economic and cultural centre of Central Asia, it’s popular with the tourists for its splendid museums, grand theatres, entertainment hubs and sprawling parks. Its Soviet-era architecture mirrored in the various edifices is a treat to the eyes. While here, make sure to visit the famous attractions like the Amir Timur Museum, State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, Tashkent Tower, Chorsu Bazaar and Navoi Theatre.

Do:

Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Also known as Bibi-Khanum Mosque, this is one of the largest and most impressive historic mosques in Central Asia and was commissioned by the Persian conqueror Timur. Featuring over 400 marble pillars and 80-meter-tall minarets and arched porches, the spellbinding interiors of the mosque adorned with coloured glazed bricks and huge Arabic letters make for a mesmeric sight.

Explore Khiva

Deemed to be the first site to be included in the World Heritage List, Khiva is divided into two halves— Itchan Kala and Dichan Kala, representing the inner and outer city. While Itchan Kala is an open-air museum known for its impressive Islamic architecture and restored settlements, Dichan Kala was formerly protected by a wall with 11 gates to protect the enemies from entering the city. Tosh-Hovli Palace, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kuhna Ark Watchtower, Juma Mosque, Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum, and Islom Hoja Minaret are some of the famous monuments that you mustn’t miss while exploring Khiva.

Go on a shopping spree in Chorsu Bazaar

Located in the heart of the old part of Tashkent, this traditional market is a major crowd-puller with the tourists and features a diverse array of shop and stores selling everything under the sun. Just perfect for your souvenir shopping, you can pick gorgeous trinkets, handicrafts, apparels, home décor items, rare artefacts, and spices and much more while indulging in retail therapy at this buzzing open-air market.

Eat:

Plov

Also called Palov, it is Uzbekistan’s national dish and it would be a travesty to be here and not try this hearty mix of rice, mutton and shredded vegetables. Head straightaway to the Plov Center to experience the best Plov.

Samsa

Popular snacks served even at the kiosks, Samsa is similar to Indian samosas with meat/vegetable stuffing. The only difference is unlike samosas, it is not fried and is baked in the oven.    

Lagman

A hearty noodle stew that includes lamb, onions, garlic and a handful of seasonal vegetables, these hand-pulled noodles are more chewy and luscious than the regular ones.

Shashlik

Slow-cooked on the grill, this skewered meat is a Russian-inspired dish with mutton, beef, chicken as well as vegetarian options to choose from.

When to Go:

March to May (Best Time)

After the freezing winters, the temperatures start rising around this time and the weather is rather pleasant and slightly warm making it ideal for the tourists. There are chances of rainfall too but that won’t affect your travel plans as such and you can explore the desert region before the summer heat begins.

June to August (Low Season)

The weather turns extremely humid and sunny during this season. Though not the best time to visit the desert regions across the country, you can opt to explore regions like Fergana Valley that are comparatively cooler.

September to November (Good Season)

Just before the onset of winters, the summer heat starts cool down in this season. With clear skies and lesser crowds, it is one of the best seasons to visit Uzbekistan.

December to February (Low Season)

January and February are the coldest months in Uzbekistan and strong winds make the cold even more unbearable here. That said, it is also the off-season so you can take advantage of alluring deals and discounts.

Getting There:

Air:

Tashkent is the main international airport of Uzbekistan and has various national as well as international carriers connecting it to Asian and European countries. The main international gateways to Tashkent are Moscow and Istanbul. While the national airline operating here is Uzbekistan Airways, there are options for indirect flights as well such as Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Air Baltic, etc.

Getting Around:

• The main line Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara is served by two express trains named Registon and Sharq. With a couple of overnight trains spanning from fast to high-speed and slow trains connecting the three Silk Route cities, travelling in Uzbekistan by train is an easy and feasible option.
• The next best option is the shared taxi especially if you are travelling between Nukus and Khiva, or Khiva to Bukhara. You might have to negotiate with the driver for the best possible rate.
• With plenty of city buses plying across the key cities, the buses are a great option for short travels and can be avoided if you are travelling on long routes.
• Domestic flights connecting the major cities of Uzbekistan are also available. 

Can’t wait to explore this hidden gem? Book your tickets with MMT and get going!

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