Uzbekistan Travel Tips
The Silk Road, Moghuls, Alexander the Great – you’d under no circumstances consider that all these historic areas, milestones, and personalities have influenced and truly lived inside the Central Asian area and Uzbekistan in distinct. You’d probably recall India, Afghanistan, Persia, but never ever Uzbekistan. Mind you, the very first of Moghuls – Babur – was born in what now is identified as Fergana Valley in contemporary Uzbekistan. The legendary Taj Mahal was constructed by a direct descendant of Babur who, you guessed it suitable, was born “in Uzbekistan”. So there’s a ton of history within this diverse land and most Uzbeks are extremely proud of it. Get a lot more info about Tours in Uzbekistan
Well, since we began in Fergana valley, that is surely the least thrilling location to check out in the event you are seeking for visual cues, let’s take a look at who lives here now and whether or not a curious traveler will uncover a thing of an interest.
For starters, archaeologists will drool over the excavation in Kuva, a tiny village some 20 miles SW of Andijan (birth spot of Babur, remember him?). This excavation is rather slow, it basically started some 50 years ago, but its significance is tough not to notice. Archaeologists dug out a 7-8th century Buddhist temple there! It certainly will not look close to spectacular, however the adjacent museum tells plenty of interesting stories and displays a superb number of ancient artifacts.
Nearby Andijan is actually a dusty tense city filled with merchants, substantial markets and also the only automobile manufacturing plant inside the whole of Central Asia. This was a joint project of Uzbek government and now defunct South Korean Daewoo brand. Daewoo was acquired by Chevrolet so this facility manufactures local versions of older Chevys and rebadged Daewoos. Not thrilling information at all, but we have to mention this, eh? On a optimistic note, Andijan has a great artisan’s corner located in the middle of local industry. You are undoubtedly going there using a tour guide, so they’d know exactly where to look.
Fergana valley is named just after Fergana city. Locals proudly get in touch with it “Pearl from the East” and Wikipedia describes it as “orderly tree-shaded avenues and desirable blue-washed 19th century tsarist colonial-style houses” and that “the city features a distinctly distinct really feel from most Uzbek cities”. We entirely agree and this place is usually a extremely recommended stopover. For those who are fortunate, you will see an excellent collection of fine art, which they rotate infrequently at the local museum. All artists presented there are actually local, and they’re extremely cute followers of Russian pre- and post-WWII modern art.
In your way back to Tashkent (about 250 miles NE, 4-5 hours of crazy driving on a two lane highway, one 2000m mountain pass), which most likely be with a private driver, you can pass via Rishtan and Kokand. Rishtan is actually a small but quite proud village. They’ve fantastic motives: their ceramics and pottery are one of a kind and all hand-made. You can’t compare this style with Delftware, however they are pretty superior also. A nicely educated collector will unquestionably appreciate this. Bring a great deal of cash as you’d want to invest in it all.
And finally we’re in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. This can be the last least thrilling place with a weird mixture of modern steel and glass architecture and Soviet era apartment buildings. Do not go also deep within the residential places and also you may essentially enjoy the capital. Restaurants and clubs are extremely visible, hotels are modern and low-cost and general vibe is really chic.
Usually all guests arrive in this country by way of Tashkent international airport along with a great initially impression is just not what this airport is well-known for. Completely disorganized lines, two-three passport control officers in tiny arrivals hall, really slow customs that appear to pick on each and every local who arrives back from abroad. Granted, they bring a ton of stuff with them, and customs gets pretty “excited” once they noticed a Moscow arrival. You’d must fill out customs papers on arrival and please retain that valuable document with you until you leave the nation. Make specific you declare every thing worthwhile you bring in the nation and be especially careful about money. Beneath no circumstance you are going to be permitted to leave Uzbekistan with much more money than you declared on arrival. Excellent factor, that airport and its reality isn’t what Uzbekistan is about. The nation has its problems, but it’s a extremely exciting location to explore.
This story started in Fergana valley, however the standard tourist route will take you west of Tashkent first.
1st stop – Samarkand. One of three true gems you are going to obtain in this country. You can get there by train, car or even a day-to-day flight from Tashkent, but I’d advocate the first two possibilities. 150 miles of a neat highway will get you to Samarkand, a now heavily restored and clean city having a 2500 years of history. Please visit one of several informative travel websites to read detailed stories about Samarkand (and all other locations of interest) just before you arrive. Your guide will overwhelm you with facts, so it’s normally great to prepare in advance. Read ahead of you go! This may help appreciate the astonishing sights and you are going to be glad you could recognize the names as you follow your guide’s presentation along.
When you have visited every mosque, mausoleum and industry in Samarkand (this may possibly take a few days), your trip will most likely take you to Bukhara, a surprisingly different city! You’d anticipate exactly the same but you’d be wrong! Architectural marvel as well as the very best spot to experience warm hospitality of locals. By the way, a number of words regarding the people: they’re poor, specially inside the rural locations, but incredibly friendly and treat each tourist as the most welcome guest. You’ll effortlessly make friends with your guide, bus or car driver, hotel staff and every artist you’ll meet in this nation.
Furthermore to two dozen of world class 2000 years old architectural monuments, Bukhara is well-known for family run inns and bed & breakfasts. If you want a total immersion in the local culture, please stay in one of a lot of private B&Bs/Inns. What they may be lacking in amenities (if compared to chain hotels), they make up simply with hospitality and service. Plus the food is terrific.
When you happen to be done with Bukhara and still have several days of your vacation left, under no circumstances hesitate to head to Khiva – a true masterpiece of architecture, history and culture. You’d hate the road when you decide to drive, but the destination is entirely worth it. Again, study about this spot prior to you go (this website is a good example), and make sure you have your camera with you. You may be rewarded with living inside the walls of UNESCO world heritage site as one on the hotels used to be a religious school in 19th century!
The majority of tourists head back to Tashkent appropriate soon after Khiva along with a short flight would be a superb choice. Uzbekistan has its own national airline and also the airplanes are usually well maintained and comfortable.
If exotic and ancient cultures are your “thing” you’d be pleasantly surprised in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan truly offers far more than just historic monuments and 2000 years old cities. Eco-tourism is big and properly supported, trekking is one on the greatest out there, you can even go skiing – but that’s another story yet to be told.