It is no longer fashionable to visit European resorts, and more and more people are drawn to rest at home or in the CIS countries. One of the most popular holiday destinations at any time of the year is the Republic of Uzbekistan. This hospitable country will pleasantly surprise even the pickiest tourist.
Cities and museums of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a multinational country with a rich culture. Not only the indigenous people live here - Uzbeks, but also Tajiks, Russians, Kirghiz, Kazakhs, Tatars, Turkmens, etc. In this ancient and at the same time modern country, you can see both ancient buildings, ancient minarets, mosques and palaces, as well as and modern architecture.
The local population believes that coming to Uzbekistan and not visiting cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Afrasiab is simply an unforgivable mistake. These cities are like museums, full of must-see sights.
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in the summer. The abundance of greenery and flowers make it especially charming. Although at other times of the year it is notless beautiful.
Tashkent - the city of friendship
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan. This city consists of two parts - old and new. In old Tashkent there are a large number of prehistoric monuments of architecture, such as:
- Kukeldash Madrasah;
- architectural complex Hazrat Imam;
- Barakhan Madrasah;
- mosques Namozgokh and Tilo Sheikh.
New Tashkent is no less beautiful. Infrastructure is very developed in this part of the city. It is replete with parks, squares, museums, cultural centers and modern buildings. The new city was built to replace the old one after the 1966 earthquake.
Architects and workers from different countries came to the aid of the city, who rebuilt the city almost from scratch, while creating objects similar to those that were in their homeland. Restored Tashkent became even more beautiful, and the local population dubbed it the city of Friendship of Peoples in tribute to the assistance that was provided to them by other republics.
You can get around the city both by fixed-route taxi, and by bus or subway. Having finished visiting local sights, you can go to another historical city - Samarkand.
Samarkand
The length of the road from Tashkent to Samarkand is about 308 km, so getting to the city by taxi is not worth it - it can cost a pretty penny. Traveling by taxi and bus is far from the only way to travel between cities.
You can also get to the city you need by trainTashkent - Samarkand. This route is very popular, as other historical places of Uzbekistan can be visited along this route. Having reached Samarkand and booked a hotel room, you can immediately go on an excursion. There really is something to see here. The city is simply replete with cultural heritage sites that silently tell about the life of the Tajik and Uzbek people. The most popular sights of Samarkand are:
- Shahi Zinda mausoleum complex;
- Bibi Khonum Mosque;
- Gur Emir Mausoleum;
- observatory.
But even apart from these fascinating historical monuments, the city has something to surprise every tourist: pottery, intricately curved daggers, colorful fabrics and much more can be purchased at the local market. But, having been saturated with spiritual food, it is not a sin to taste bodily food as well. Indeed, local food is simply mesmerizing with its bright taste. Delicious butter cakes, steaming pilaf, fragrant shurpa, sambusa, manti - all this can be tasted in local establishments, and the prices are quite reasonable.
After getting acquainted with the city of Samarkand, it's time to go to the ancient city of Uzbekistan - Afrasiab. You can get there by train Afrosiab - Tashkent - Samarkand.
Fabulous Afrosiab
Afrosiab is a small settlement with an area of about 200 hectares. This ancient city is located in the north of modern Samarkand, on the road of the Great Silk Road. Once upon a time, life in this city was in full swing. caravansstopped at local traveler's haunts and traded at the local bazaar. The Afrosiab bazaar was very famous for the variety of goods, both local and foreign. Currently, Afrosiab is a city-museum where you can come, see the ancient settlement and take a picture for memory.
Afrosiab, once considered the capital of Sogd, is now almost deserted. Only occasionally in the ancient settlement can one observe a crowd of tourists studying the history of Central Asia or scientists conducting excavations on its outskirts. Despite its antiquity, the settlement of Afrosiab has not lost its attractiveness. Walking along the streets (guzars), you can admire the ancient mosques, workshops and residential buildings.
Bukhara
No less beautiful is the city of Bukhara. This city, along with Samarkand, is considered an object of cultural heritage. However, life in this city is more measured compared to other large cities of Uzbekistan. You can get to Bukhara by train, bus Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara or by fixed-route taxi, which is considered quite expensive. Bukhara is famous for its sights, so one day will not be enough to see everything. It is advisable to plan your movement around the city in advance and carefully consider your route.
History buffs will love objects like:
- Ark Fortress;
- Mausoleum of the Samanids;
- Sitorai Mohi-Khosa residence;
- Poi Kolyan complex, in turn, this complex is divided into threeobject: mosque, madrasah and minaret;
- Chor-Minor Madrasah;
- Laby House;
- Monument to Khoja Nasriddin.
But even those who are completely indifferent to history can discover a lot of new things by visiting the Ovation Fashion Theater, a gold embroidery workshop, a local market and local restaurants. Even true gourmets will appreciate the taste and he alth benefits of the dishes offered. Here you can taste oriental sweets (sherbet, the famous Bukhara halva), as well as barbecue, jazza (fried meat), kavurdok (stew), lagman and the famous Bukhara pilaf.
Traveling through these historical cities of Uzbekistan is attractive, first of all, because they are all located along the way, and you don’t need to spend a lot of time on the road to see them. And the local color, sights and culinary delights will not leave indifferent any tourist.
