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Located in central Asia, Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked, democratic republic comprised of 12 provinces. Uzbekistan is bordered by five countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. Although the country relies heavily on agriculture, tourism is also thriving thanks to its rich heritage and Turkic, Persian and Samanid culture. Because Uzbekistan was part of the early Russian Empire (USSR), most of the structures and buildings exude archaic beauty. Planning a trip to beautiful Uzbekistan? Uncover the old world wonders of the country by checking out these must-see attractions:
Chach
Chach, which is known as Tashkent in the 10th century, is the capital of Uzbekistan. It’s also the largest, most historic city in the country. After being destroyed by Genghis Khan in 8th century AD, Chach was rebuilt from the Silk Road before falling under the Russian Empire in 1865. Gloriously independent today, modern Chach retains much of its old structures and its multi-ethnic population.
Other attractions you can expect in Tashkent include Architectural Complex Zengi-Ata and Ensemble Khazret Imam, which are historical monuments. There are also lots of arts and crafts shops in the city as well as drama theaters like Theater Ilkhom, Alisher Navoi Opera, and Ballet Theater.
Ichan Kala, Khiva
Also known as the “Walled City,” Ichan Kala is home to one of the world’s most popular outdoor museum. The entire city of Ichan Kala is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The town outside Ichan Kala is called Dichan Kala. The outer town used to be protected by 11 gates. Thanks to the walls, the entire town of Ichan Kala remains perfectly preserved. The town of Ichan Kala features 50 historic monuments and 250 houses that date back to the 10th century. Stepping into the old town feels like going back in time.
Samarkand
Samarkand is also an ancient town that sits in the valley of the Zarafshan river. The city boasts of antique monuments and historical spots including the Registan Square, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque Relic of Three Religions where Muslims, Jews and Christians all can pray together to the gods. This city is also one of the major business hubs of Uzbekistan. Large mills and factories are scattered on the outskirts of the city.
Bukhara
For visitors who are traveling to Uzbekistan for the first time, we strongly recommend adding Uzbekistan to your itinerary. Bukhara is filled with amazing theaters, museums and art galleries that showcase the rich heritage of the Uzbeks.
At the heart of Bukhara city lies the Fortress Ark, which is one of the most ancient of all monuments in the country. The Fortress Ark served as a dwelling place of former rulers and their servants several centuries back. The historic Silk Road also passes through Bukhara.
If you want to learn more about local culture and history, then we highly suggest checking the sights at Nukus. This picturesque city boasts of three affiliated museums that are extremely popular among tourists. These museums are Karakalpak State Museum, Appled Art Museum, and Igor Savitsky. Collectively, these museums feature more than 50,000 artworks, relics and paintings that were banned during the Soviet Union.
