Top 10 reasons to visit Uzbekistan

The splendor and grandeur of Uzbekistan have been a secret for far too long! There are so many reasons that Uzbekistan should be a part of your travel bucket list. And here are a few more reasons to visit Uzbekistan for a fun getaway: Filled with mythical beauty, it is exactly like the pictures shown on the internet when you search for Uzbekistan. Eye-catching blue mosques, ancient-style structures, and minarets; it is just like stepping into a place stuck in the past. Hard to believe but an Uzbekistan holiday, solo or with friends and family, will get you refreshed.

Almost like Taking a Trip Back in Time

Uzbekistan was a part of the Soviet Union, and after its downfall, it became a republic nation. The remains of this dissolution can be seen sprawled across the country even now, especially in Tashkent. After an earthquake in 1966, this city was reconstructed in Soviet-style architecture.
The best way to see life in Uzbekistan: visit Khiva, you will feel like you have stepped into an open-air town-sized museum. This city is protected and recognized by UNESCO and hosts several Uzbek businesses and families. There are numerous Madrasas, Mosques, and Mausoleums restored artfully.

Ancient cities of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has been inhabited by mankind for more than 10,000 years, and in the dry, arid climate, the ancient cities are well preserved. Archaeological sites such as Kampir Tepe (built by Alexander the Great as Alexandria on the Oxus) and the Desert Fortresses of Khorezm are now romantic ruins, occupied only by the ghosts of the past. When you explore them, often you will be the only tourist there. This contrasts with the likes of Tashkent and Samarkand, both of which are more than 2,500 years old, where each generation of rulers has built another layer of the city. Ancient, medieval, and modern marvels jostle for your attention, and whether you are exploring the streets or touring one of the many museums, you will certainly be awed by the richness of Uzbekistan’s history.

Magnificent mountains 

When people think about Uzbekistan tourism, they imagine the deserts crossed by camel caravans, the majolica tile-covered mosques and madrassas, and the bustling Silk Road bazaars. That Uzbekistan is also a mountainous country comes as something of a surprise! But what this means is that in the heat of the summer, you can escape into the relative coolness of the Western Tien Shan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can hike, mountain bike, picnic by one of the many lakes, and soak up the beauty of the great outdoors. The winter snowfall is superb for skiing, and the brand-new Amirsoy Mountain Resort has world-class facilities, giving Europe’s Alpine ski resorts fierce competition in quality, not to mention price. The day I spent heli-skiing with Uzbekistan Tourism last season was quite unlike anything I’ve ever experienced anywhere else in the world. 

Mouthwatering foods

When you visit Uzbekistan, you will spend a disproportionate amount of time eating and drinking. Nothing beats the smell of fresh non (bread) which has been cooked in a tandoor, or the sizzling of lamb kebabs on the grill. The winter melons of Uzbekistan are so famous that even the UK’'s Financial Times newpaper published a eulogy to them, and in the summer months, the market stalls groan beneath the weight of locally grown strawberries, cherries, apricots, and pomegranates. Uzbekistan's national dish, plov is the most amazing food you can ever try! Plov has its own variaton of the recipe in every region. Everyone you meet in Uzbekistan will tell you their mother's plov is the best and urge you to try a portion.   Resistance is futile: eat another mouthful and enjoy!

Quirky places to stay.

When it comes to accommodation, Uzbekistan tourism’s top draw is not its five-star hotels, but rather the small, unique places to stay. In Bukhara’s UNESCO Old Town, historic merchants’ houses are now boutique hotels. You can breakfast in their galleried courtyards, or in dining rooms decorated with antique paintings. Khiva’s madrassas are no longer in use as religious schools, but in some cases, the cells where students studied and prayed have been converted into atmospheric guest rooms. Hotel Orient Star occupies a prime location within the Mohammad Amin Madrassa, right next door to the Kalta Minaret. Out in the Kyzylkum Desert, you can spend the night in a yurt camp at Aydarkul, with camels watching on. Alternatively, if you need your mod cons, you can upgrade to a rather swankier yurt with an en suite bathroom at Sarmishsoy. It’s important to remember that when you stay in local properties like these, you not only learn more about Uzbekistan, its culture, and hospitality, but you also contribute directly to the local economy, making tourism much more sustainable 

Uzbekistan Tourism offers a warm welcome.

In Uzbekistan tourism is relatively new: it is only since 2016 that international arrivals have soared. One of the advantages of this is that tourists are still viewed first and foremost as honored guests, and in many communities, the novelty of seeing foreigners hasn’t yet worn off. Wherever you go in Uzbekistan, you will receive a warm welcome from the local people you meet. People are curious to find out who you are and where you are from, to practice their English with you, and to teach you about their culture and traditions. I adore being invited into people’s homes for tea, and sitting and chatting for an hour or two, even if we share relatively few words in common. It is a privilege to have such personal, authentic experiences, and these intimate social interactions will be one of the highlights of your trip. 

Uzbek Local Bazaars

Shopping in Uzbekistan is a wonderful experience since the country is in the center of the Eurasian continent and the main routes of the Great Silk Roads uniting East and West passed through the territory of present-day Uzbekistan, which was one of the places, where the first civilizations emerged and developed. It is hardly imaginable to visit Uzbekistan and not to visit the shops that are called “Bazaars” which offer a good bargain. People who come from other countries and visit Bazaars are amazed at the sweet, juicy, sun-enriched fruit. Local traders sell various fresh products including "dried fruit" – courage, dried figs, melons, almonds, raisins, prunes sesame seeds in sugary syrup, peanuts, walnuts, and others. All bazaars in Uzbekistan have their own unique atmosphere. 

The most visited bazaars are Siyab, Alay and Chorsu are considered the oldest markets in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, built in the Middle Ages

Walk Along the Uzbek Mahallas

It comes from the Arabic mahali, which means “local”. The term mahalla is officially used in Uzbekistan to refer to a district, local community, or state administrative unit. Mahala is a whole community with its own laws, economy, and council of elders.

Safety in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is on the list of the safest countries to travel in. All crowded places are patrolled by tourist police and each city has many police stations.

Traditional Carpets

Carpet weaving in Uzbekistan is one of the oldest art forms. From ancient times, carpets were considered a symbol of prosperity and comfort and adorned the houses of the wealthy nobility. Today, carpets adorn almost every home.

Products made by Uzbek craftsmen are of high quality and are in great demand all over the world. In addition to large carpet factories, many residents of Uzbekistan make their own carpets at home. Depending on the region, carpets differ in ornament and coloring.

Traveling to Bukhara, be sure to visit the Museum of Carpet weaving, located in the ancient mosque of Magoki Attori, where various types of carpet weaving are kept