CONSIDER A VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE ADVENTURE?
CONSIDER A VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
05/10/2023 POSTED BY IGNACIO MAZA FOR SIGNATURE TRAVEL NETWORK
I recently visited Uzbekistan. First, the obvious: why visit? Why travel all the way to Central Asia? Here are my ‘top ten’ reasons:
It’s a world apart, unlike anywhere else. Parts of the country are reminiscent of China, Russia, Iran, and the Middle East, yet different.
Uzbekistan was at the heart of the Silk Road, the network ancient trade routes that connected Europe with China from roughly the second century BC until the 15th/16th centuries.
Of all the ‘stans’ in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, etc.) – Uzbekistan is the most interesting and has the largest number of monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It’s easier now. For many years, traveling to Uzbekistan was difficult and getting a visa was a major feat. Travel to the country now is more convenient, with improved air services, high-speed rail in certain regions, and e-visas for American travelers.
There are better hotels now in key destinations than ever before, including the first Leading Hotel of the World LHW in Central Asia.
For curious travelers interested in history, art and architecture, culture, traditional handicrafts, and beautiful mountain landscapes, Uzbekistan has much to offer.
There are more ways to get there, including increased air service with frequent Turkish Airlines’ flights to Istanbul and onward connections to Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and other points.
Uzbeks are warm and welcoming. Although there will be a language barrier at times, you will feel the Uzbek hospitality that has been welcoming travelers for centuries.
It’s affordable. Hotels, train/airfares, meals, are considerably less than Europe or North America.
It’s one of the last frontiers. Americans have yet to discover Uzbekistan. Get there first.
For most travelers visiting Uzbekistan, Tashkent will be the first and last stop on the itinerary. Uzbekistan’s capital is a bustling city of 2.5 million and the largest city in Central Asia. Tashkent was originally a staging post on the Silk Road. The city travelers see today was largely rebuilt after a big earthquake in 1966. Tashkent has wide, tree-lined boulevards, a strong legacy of Soviet City planning, and grandiose architecture and monuments built by the country’s rulers since independence from Russia in 1991.
For me, the most interesting sites in Tashkent were:
The Hazrat Imam complex, the historic & spiritual heart of Tashkent, dating back over 500 years. The most visited site is the Muyi Muborak Library, with the world’s oldest copy of the Koran. Next door are three mosques, built during the 16th, 19th, and 21st centuries. The site gives you a sense of what Tashkent was like before the earthquake leveled most of the city in 1966.
Nearby are two notable landmarks. The first is the Kulkedash Madrasa, a religious Islamic school built in the 1600s and later converted into a caravanserai for traveling merchants. A short distance is the Chorsu (Crossroads) bazaar, Tashkent’s commercial center. This enormous emporium selling everything from fresh produce, dried fruits and nuts, household goods, stacks of fresh-baked bread, and many other items. There are open-air sections and other parts with merchant stalls under giant tiled domes built in the 20th century. I also recommend visiting the Museum of Applied Arts, easily the best-looking in the city. The museum is housed in the former home of a Russian diplomat who amassed a huge collection of Uzbek handicrafts, carpets, woven fabrics, and ceramics.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, visit the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, just one hour’s drive from Tashkent. The park has various hiking trails, alpine meadows, and beautiful mountain scenery.
Don’t miss seeing the Tashkent Metro (fare is $0.10), built in the 1970s when Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union. Every station has a ‘theme’ and is decorated accordingly. My favorite station is Kosmonavtlar, celebrating Soviet astronauts.
Where to stay? The best place to stay in town is the Hyatt Regency Tashkent. This modern property is one of the best hotels in the country. The Hyatt has a great location, large public spaces, two restaurants, and a wellness space on the 7th floor that includes a spa, gym, and large swimming pool. Guestrooms are spacious and very comfortable. The staff delivers a high level of service. A must: dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Sette, on the top floor.
For information on planning a trip to Uzbekistan, contact Adelman Vacations at 800-749-7116 or 417-888-4488, or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com. Our experienced vacation advisors are to help you plan your next travel adventure.