Let’s Explore the Treasure Land of Uzbekistan

The territory of Uzbekistan, accompanied by Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan is a Silk Road country possessing a few excellent architectural gems. These include ornate Islamic tile art, turquoise domes, minarets, and well maintained relics since Central Asia became the hub of different empires.

You can explore these jewels in some famous places such as the historic walled city of Khiva in Urgench and thin streets of the old Bukhara and Samarkand towns across the Silk Road known as the Rome of the Orient. The mountainous landscape of the country is ideal for hikers, cyclists, and skiers, while expert climbers explore the highest peaks on Earth.

The growth of the Silk Road gifted many treasures to Central Asia that were utilized in erecting superb mosques and madrassars whose maximum sections were ruined by the Mongol group in the 13th century. However, most of the destruction was restored along with the foundation of new cities by Timur the Lame in the 14th century.

Uzbekistan Tourist Attractions

• Tashkent:
  This is the capital city that has well maintained a very less of its historic architecture. Originally ruined by the 1966 earthquake, the new part of the city included wide streets adorned with trees and the new buildings. The old town with the ancient buildings and many passages is located to the west of the centre in contrast with the contemporary city. Do visit the older buildings – 16th century Kukeldash Madrasa now a museum and the Kaffali-Shash Mausoleum. Mosques and religious buildings are also worth visiting but need a prior permit as also many Islamic sites are only open for Muslims. Offering museums of Uzbek and pre-Uzbek culture, the nation offers the State Art Museum exhibiting paintings, ceramics, and the Bukharan royal clothes along with the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts with embroidered wall hangings and old jewelry.

• Samarkand:
  A city made by Timur in the 14th century, do visit the site of Alexander killing his friend Cleitos and many other past attractions. The main attraction here is the Registan Square that holds the three big madrassas (Islamic seminaries) namely Shir-Dor and Tillya-Kari of 15th and 17th centuries famous for its blue tiles and ornate mosaics. Next, visit the Bibi Khanym Mosque that was built for Timur’s wife to mark Timur’s love. Lastly, visit the Gur Emir where Timur is buried. Under a huge cupola on the ground floor, you can view the tombs of Timur along with his descendants, but the real bodies are buried in the basement that is not allowed to be visited. The stone of Timur here is the largest piece of Nephrite (jade) on Earth.
• Shah-i-Zinda:
  This site offers some superb graves of a few Samarkand’s celebrities.
• Observatory of Ulug Beg:
  Beg refers to the Timur’s grandson and this was considered as the most sophisticated astronomical observatory in his times located in Samarkand.
• Afrasiab Museum:
  Near to the observatory, this museum exhibits a fresco of the 6th century displaying a train of offerings for the Sogdian king.
• Bukhara:
  Located at the west of Samarkand and famous as the dwelling place of the great Sheikh Bahautdin Nakshbandi who developed the Sufi approach, the city offers over 350 mosques and 100 religious institutions. Visit Shakristan that offers an Ark and palace complex belonging to the Emirs. Next in the line is Zindan (Jail of the Emirs) besides the gatehouse, which shows a few torture methods implemented for the enemies by the Emirs. Then, look for the high Kalyan Minaret (tower of death) near the Ark built in 1127 from where criminals were given deaths and the Ishmael Samani Mausoleum – the only living structure of the Mongols. Other attractions are Kalyan Mosque, the Ulug Beg Madrasa, and Abdul Aziz Madrasa.
• Khiva:
  Located northeast of Bukhara and close to the modern town of Urgench, this city is well preserved than Samarkand or Bukhara. Situated in its original city walls, the city itself is a museum town with rarely any inhabitation.
• Ferghana Valley:
  Enclosed by the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains, this region is famous for its silk production; welcoming bazaars; and fields of cotton, mulberry trees, and fruit orchards.
• Chatkalsky Reserve:
  Hunt here for snow tigers, Tian-Shan grey bear (rare one), and the Berkut eagle in the narrow clean gorge in the western Tian-Shan.
• Trekking:
  In the country’s south, high peaks await you for a tough contest, while easy treks welcomes you in the foothills and on the plateaux. Some of these peaks are Peak Pobeda at 7,439 m, Peak Korzhenevskaya at 7,105 m, and Peak Khan-Tengri at 6,995 m. Equipment can be transported to base camps by helicopter. Ideally, trekking is preferred between March and November. In addition, hiking is also performed along the ridges and gorges of the Chatkal Range to the ancient silver mine in the Chatkal Natiore Preserve.
• Ice Climbing:
  This is possible on the Gissar, Matcha, and Turkestan spurs.
• Rock Climbing:
  This is undertaken in the Fan Mountains – Bodkhana, Chapdara, Maria-Mirali, and Zamok and on the Matchi Ridge – Aksu, Asan-Usan, and Sabakh.
• Caves:
  Take a tour to the deepest caverns of Asia at Boi-Bulok at 1,415 m and Kievskaya at 990 m that are ideal only for experienced ones. Further, visit the Kugitang cave offering stunning gypsum formations and the caves of Baisuntau providing mummified bears. Last, the caves in western Tian Shan offers underground rivers and lakes.
• Cycling:
  The ideal route starts from the Silk Road in Tashkent, passes via Lake Aidarkul, and reaches Khiva. Easy cycling is offered by the Ferghana Valley and in the Tashkent’s surroundings.