Traveling to Uzbekistan: useful information and recommendations before your trip

History of Samarkand

Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world and the main pearl of Uzbekistan. Founded over 2,500 years ago, it served as an important trade and cultural center on the Silk Road. The city is famous for its unique architecture, including the famous Registan and Madrasahs, which reflect its rich history and diverse cultural influences.

Plov: a symbol of Uzbekistan's hospitality

Plov in Uzbekistan is not just a dish, but an entire tradition that epitomizes hospitality and friendship. It is cooked in a special wide and deep cast iron pot called “kazan”. The cooking process involves frying meat and vegetables, adding rice and spices, creating a rich taste and aroma, bringing people together at a common table. Each region of the country has its own recipe for pilaf.

Historic Hotels of Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan you can stay in unique historical hotels, such as Komil Boutique Hotel in Bukhara and Orient Star in Khiva, which are located in ancient buildings. These hotels retain a unique atmosphere, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of the country.

Legendary Registan Square

Registan Square in Samarkand is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also an important symbol of Uzbekistan's cultural heritage. Surrounded by three magnificent madrasas, this architectural wonder of Central Asia is an important cultural monument of the Silk Road, attracting the attention of tourists with its scale and beauty of mosaic ornaments.

Unique Uzbek language

The Uzbek language has many dialects and its alphabet has undergone several changes over the past 100 years, including a shift from Arabic to Latin and Cyrillic.

Uzbekistan's gold mines

Muruntau is one of the world's largest gold deposits located in Uzbekistan. It is located in the southwest of the Kyzylkum Desert in the Navoi region of the country. The discovery of the deposit took place in 1958. Today Muruntau is the second largest gold mine in the world after the Grasberg mine in Indonesia. This deposit is known for its impressive gold reserves and plays a significant role in the economy of Uzbekistan.

The red sands of the Kyzylkum Desert

The Kyzylkum Desert is one of the largest deserts in Eurasia, spread between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. Its name, translated as “Red Sand”, reflects the brightly colored dunes and amazing landscapes that create a mesmerizing sight. This desert attracts adventurers and ecotourism enthusiasts, offering unique opportunities to explore wildlife and observe rare animals.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are the three cities of Uzbekistan inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Their architectural monuments and cultural significance illustrate the rich history of the region and are important sites for the study of Eastern civilization.

Ichan-Kala is a unique open-air museum

Ichan Qala is a historical fortress in Khiva with perfectly preserved buildings and walls. It is a unique open-air museum that immerses in the atmosphere of a medieval oriental city, remaining a cultural symbol of Uzbekistan.

Unique festival “Melodies of the East”

Uzbekistan hosts amazing cultural festivals, one of the most colorful being the Shark Taronalari (Melodies of the East), which takes place annually in historic Samarkand. This international music festival brings together talented artists from all over the world, creating a unique atmosphere of unity between different musical traditions. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy both traditional Uzbek melodies and modern musical trends, immersing themselves in the rich culture of the country.

Uzbek fairy tales

Uzbek fairy tales and legends are a colorful heritage passed down from generation to generation. Often animals play the main role, giving the tales a special flavor. Uzbek fairy tales carry deep moral lessons, reflect traditional values and wisdom of the people. Each story is a window into the rich culture of Uzbekistan, where miracles and adventures intertwine with real life, inspiring listeners and readers for centuries.

Influence of the Soviet era

In the 1930s, Uzbekistan launched a program to develop education and science, which led to the establishment of several institutions of higher education, including Tashkent State University. This was the impetus for the formation of a new generation of scientists and specialists, contributing to the modernization of the country's economy and culture, as well as to the development of the Uzbek language and literature.