A Tour Guide's Guide to Uzbekistan

21st December 2022
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A Guide's Guide to Uzbekistan

‘There is a paradise-like ancient country in the heart of Central Asia with its rich history and culture, delicious food and hospitable people. It is called Uzbekistan.’

Our guide Nilufar Kuchkarova gives us a rundown of the Land of Silk Road Treasures and all its many draws. 

There is a paradise-like ancient country in the heart of Central Asia with its rich history and culture, delicious food and hospitable people. It is called Uzbekistan. 

Once situated on the High Way of the Great Silk Road, it was the most important and most well-known destination among Eastern and Western countries. Particularly, cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva were at the crossroads of the Silk Road. Merchandise and ideas were exchanged in these cities and spread to other parts of Central Asia. Life was very busy. 

Science, culture, architecture and religions prospered here during the Great Silk Road time. Due to its comfortable geographical location, good climate and suitable soil for growing crops, Uzbekistan had always been the target of invaders. It survived many of them including Persians in the 6th BC, Greeks in the 4th BC, Arabs in the 8th c, Moghuls in the 13th c, Russians at the end of the 19th c, and then the Bolsheviks at the beginning of the 20th c. While Uzbekistan was under the Soviet Government, Uzbek culture and tradition, history and literature, and language were partially forgotten. Then the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Uzbekistan became an independent country. From there, it began to re-establish its culture, history, and language.

At present Uzbekistan is still an independent country with twelve regions and one autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan. All the regions are different and significant with their culture, local food and fascinating historical buildings. While eastern regions are more mountainous, western regions are flat and located on the edge of the Kyzyl-Kum desert.

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. It is located in the northeast of the country. Its history goes back to the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. Tashkent is divided into the old town and the new town. There are a number of modern buildings and 19-20th century European and Soviet-style buildings in the new town like the Opera and Ballet theatre named after Alisher Navoi, Russian and Catholic churches, a few green parks and beautiful fountains. The old town was less influenced by Russian architectural designs and stayed with more old Islamic buildings of dome mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, and food and handicraft bazaars. The taste of Tashkent pilaf and bread is just unforgettable.

About 300 km southwest of Tashkent there is a city which is the pearl of Central Asia and the heart of Uzbekistan, Samarkand! Being inspired by its beauty, poets wrote (and still do) poems about Samarkand. In the 14th century, it became the capital of Amir Temur’s Empire.

Amir Temur did a lot of construction and created 8 gardens in Samarkand. Multiple mausoleums, mosques, and madrasahs decorated with ornate mosaic tiles and sky-blue domes have been impressively standing the test of time through the centuries. Magnificent buildings, pleasant weather, beautiful nature, and good food provide some truly incredible memories to all who visit Samarkand.

Bukhara Emirs' Summer Palace, Bukhara
Bukhara Emirs' Summer Palace, Bukhara
Backstreets of Khiva
Backstreets of Khiva

Further to the west of Samarkand, we move to Bukhara, the holy city of Islam, the most well-preserved historical city of Uzbekistan with hundreds of old architectural monuments. Masterpieces of the 10 and 12th centuries include Ismail Somoni mausoleum, Kalon Minaret, ancient Arc Citadel of Bukhara, 16th-century caravanserais, domed bazaars, madrasahs, mosques and synagogues and bathhouses. Narrow maze streets with old houses make the city look just magic and fabulous. The ancient canal Shohrud runs through the old town of Bukhara and a few man-made pools create a cool atmosphere in the hot days of summer. Here it is possible to imagine how merchants traded in the bazaars selling or buying jewellery, spices, different kinds of hats, potteries, silk and wool carpets, amazing embroidered tapestries, knives and copper-carved dishes. It is never boring in this city.

Khiva is in the west of Uzbekistan, the flattest and lowest part of the country with an altitude of about 100 m. According to legend, the city was founded by Shem, the son of Noah. The city’s Ichan Kala, which means “inner fortress”, is an open-air museum which includes Kunya Ark - Khiva Khans’ palace, Tash hovli Palace – harem of the Khans, beautiful minarets, madrasahs, mausoleums and 10th-century mosque with 213 wooden pillars. This town is surrounded by fortified walls 2200m in length and is protected by UNESCO and the government of Uzbekistan. Blue majolica tiles of the buildings create a very calm environment. Khiva folklore music and dancing are wonderful. Dilled noodles, boiled pastry foods and melons are very delicious.

Apart from historical sites, Uzbekistan is the right place for nature lovers. The people who are fond of exotic views of desert scenery, mountains or deep valleys have a chance to see them all here in Uzbekistan. It is possible to enjoy colourful vegetation in spring, summer and autumn and to listen to the birds singing. Mountains are covered by snow in winter, and it is a good time to have fun skiing, skating, sleighing and horse riding in the mountains. There is never a bad season to visit Uzbekistan.

Spring in Nurata mountains
Spring in Nurata mountains
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