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Uzbekistan is a bright and inspiring country of the East. A rich architectural heritage, a lot of historical monuments, colorful bazaars, generous nature, which is carefully protected in protected parks – this is all that everyone can see in Uzbekistan, even without a solid budget. It is simply unrealistic to count all the interesting sights of Uzbekistan, but you should definitely visit at least the main ones, which will be discussed further in this article.
What to see in Uzbekistan in the first place
Uzbekistan is divided into several regions, each of which keeps a lot of its unique sights. But every tourist, as a rule, is faced with the need to “fit” all the memorable places in the limited time allotted for traveling and getting to know the country, often you even have to choose what to see in Uzbekistan in 1 day. It is to simplify the process of choosing and competently planning a future trip that this rating has been compiled.
1. City of Tashkent
Panorama of the modern metropolis
The review begins with the capital of the country – Tashkent, which is one of the five largest cities in the CIS in terms of population. Among the tall modern buildings, historical buildings, ancient mosques are hidden here, and modern shopping centers alternate with traditional oriental bazaars and markets. It is worth noting that many of the old buildings were restored – in 1966 a powerful earthquake partially destroyed them, and the appearance of the renovated city has changed significantly since then.
Official website: http://tashkent.uz/
2. Tashkent TV tower
View of the Tashkent TV tower Davide Mauro
This building is considered the highest in all of Central Asia – the Tashkent TV tower is 375 meters high, and its long spire piercing the sky can be seen from anywhere in the city. At an altitude of about a hundred meters in the TV tower, you can visit the observation deck, and one level higher are the halls of the restaurant, where you can not only admire the panoramic views from the windows, but also dine. Guides in Uzbekistan willingly cover the history of the construction of the structure, guide visitors through the interior, including the museum, whose expositions reveal the role and place of the TV tower among other similar structures in the world.
Official website: http: //www.tv-tower.uz/
3. Amir Temur Square
Monument to Emir Timur against the backdrop of the Palace of International Forums and Chimes
The square, which bears the name of the famous commander, was built at the end of the 19th century. Then it was a small park in the very center of Tashkent, at the intersection of two main city streets. Only in 1994, a monument to Amir Temur was erected here, and the park was cleared and turned into a square with greenery and fountains. Today, the square is surrounded by such famous buildings as a hotel, a law institute, a museum in honor of Amir Temur, as well as the Palace of Forums, where many official ceremonies are held.
4. Chorsu Oriental Bazaar
< img title="Sights of Uzbekistan: Top 30" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/dostoprimechatelnosti-uzbekistana-top-30-0b1bf9f.jpg" alt="Sights of Uzbekistan: Top 30" />< /p>Ancient colorful Chorsu bazaar with oriental sweets and spices Eric Haglund
Guests have something to visit in Uzbekistan, being on the central square of Tashkent – Eski-Zhuva. Despite the modern look that this market has today, the history of the Chorsu market goes back centuries. About 2 millennia ago, an ancient settlement was founded in these parts, the center of which, according to tradition, was a bazaar. Over time, a fair was formed, at which an active exchange of goods began, merchants from different parts of Central Asia flocked here. For some time now, the bazaar has become the center of city life, and to this day, Chorsu, located at the crossroads of 4 shopping streets, attracts visitors with fresh fragrant fruits, oriental sweets and colorful Uzbek souvenirs.
5. City of Samarkand
Samarkand – a city of historical and cultural monuments of Asia David Stanley
The city of Samarkand is famous for its surprisingly long history – it is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded 8 centuries before our era. Once this city was the most important point connecting East and West, and the Great Silk Road passed through Samarkand. Therefore, here, like nowhere else, a huge number of cultural and historical monuments have been preserved – such as mausoleums, museums, mosques, the ruins of ancient settlements and much more.
Official website: http://www.samshahar.uz/ru
6. Registan Square in Samarkand
Sher Madrasah -Dor on Registan Square in Samarkand
The best sights of Uzbekistan should certainly be complemented by another historical place – Registan Square, which has existed for more than 6 centuries. Some of the buildings that are located on the square have been preserved here in their original form since their construction. Special attention deserves a complex of three madrasahs – schools built in the Middle Ages, lined with mosaics in the traditional national style. The square itself was paved with cobblestones and baked bricks back in the late 19th century.
Official website: http://www.centralasia-travel.
7. Mosque Bibi-Khanum in Samarkand
Timur Cathedral Mosque in Samarkand
Another decoration of Samarkand is the Bibi-Khanum mosque, a sacred monument of the 15th century. It is believed that the mosque was built by order of Khan Tamerlane, who returned from India with a triumphant victory. The great commander wanted to erect a lifetime monument testifying to his victories. In total, about 7 hundred people took part in the construction, among them a huge number of craftsmen from other Asian countries. To this day, despite numerous earthquakes, the mosque has been able to maintain its original grandeur and beauty, which was facilitated by the large-scale restoration work that has been carried out here for 35 years, since 1968.
Official site:< /em> http://www.centralasia-travel.com/ru/
8. Rukhabad Mausoleum in Samarkand
The memorial and religious building of the XIV century – the Rukhabad mausoleum in Samarkand
Excursions in Uzbekistan do not ignore this building in Samarkand, because it is one of the first buildings in the city, erected under Tamerlane. Its architecture and exterior design are ascetic – you will not find bright colors and traditional mosaics here. The relics of a famous saint in Islam rest in the mausoleum, who spent his entire life in asceticism and constant pilgrimage. We are talking about Sheikh Burkhanaddin Sagaraji, who for some time even acted as the spiritual mentor of Tamerlane himself. After the death of the saint, as a sign of high respect and honor, the khan ordered the construction of a mausoleum.
Official website: http://www.centralasia-travel.com
9. City of Bukhara
The historical center of old Bukhara Euyasik
The following recommendations will concern another ancient city founded 2.5 thousand years ago. Bukhara is a real city-museum: every building in it is a landmark, a real exhibit. Ancient mosques, citadels, mausoleums, madrasahs, monuments – all this can be visited while strolling around the city with abandon, because here every corner of the earth keeps its memory. Once upon a time, the Great Silk Road ran through Bukhara, which is purposefully revived today.
10. Lyabi-Khauz in Bukhara
Lyabi-Hauz artificial reservoir and Nodir madrasah -Run in Bukhara Robert Wilson
And, of course, mentioning the best sights of Uzbekistan, it is impossible not to mention at least some of the sights of Bukhara. One of the main squares of the city, Lyabi-Khauz, is a real treasury of Bukhara – there is a whole architectural ensemble consisting of a mosque, a madrasah and a monument in honor of Khoja Nasreddin – a favorite character in oriental folklore. The area is surrounded by a wonderful clean pond with a fountain. It was Lyabi-Hauz that became a favorite place for various mass celebrations and official holidays in Bukhara.
11. Samanid Mausoleum (Bukhara)
Mausoleum of the Samanids in the green city park of Bukhara < p>In the Samanid Park, on the territory of the ancient Bukhara cemetery, there is the Samanid Mausoleum – an ancient family tomb, another masterpiece of architecture, created at the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. Despite the fact that the facade and interior decoration of the building do not play with bright colors, the amazing delicacy of the finish, which the builders managed to achieve using ordinary bricks, is impressive. An ancient Muslim cemetery was previously located on the territory of the tomb, and later a park with ponds was laid out here, which became the venue for mass holidays.
12. Kalyan Minaret and Mosque in Bukhara
The courtyard of the Kalyan mosque, part of the Po-i-Kalyan complex in Bukhara
When choosing where to go in Uzbekistan, traveling through Bukhara, you should definitely visit Poi-Kalyan – the main architectural complex that has become a symbol of Bukhara, which includes a minaret, a mosque and a madrasah. The Kalyan Minaret, built in the 12th century from baked bricks, rises to more than 46 meters, and its top is crowned with a conical lantern. The minaret is connected to the roof of the Kalyan mosque by means of a bridge, from where, in turn, you can climb the spiral staircase to the dome itself, where a stunning panoramic view opens. The mosque itself was rebuilt a little later than the minaret – in the 16th century, and to this day it is the main cathedral mosque of the city.
13. City of Khiva
Khiva – city-museum under the open sky
Another city, located on the Great Silk Road many centuries ago, is ancient Khorezm, or Khiva, as it is called now. Khiva can be regarded as an open-air museum – it is not for nothing that it is included in the UNESCO list, because every building here is an ancient landmark. In the old part of the city of Ichan-Kala, founded around the 5th century AD, about 60 historical monuments have been preserved, including the citadel, palaces, mosques, minarets and mausoleums. Outside the walled old city, there is another ancient part – Dishan-Kala, where residential buildings and shopping arcades were located.
14. Itchan-Kala Fortress in Khiva
Now – in more detail about the citadel of Ichan-Kala, which, like nothing else, preserves the image of the ancient eastern city of Khiva. The conclusions of archaeologists suggest that Old Khiva, which existed already in the 5th century, served as a stop on the Great Silk Road. The old city, located within the walls of Ichan-Kala, occupies an area of about 30 hectares and is surrounded by a massive wall of 6-8 meters. Ditches were dug on the outer side of the walls, which were filled with water. Also in the fortress wall there are four gates, reinforced with shock towers and supplemented by observation galleries.
15. Ulugbek Observatory
Ulugbek Observatory and Museum on Kuhak Hill
The prehistory of the appearance of this landmark of Uzbekistan was the birth of the inquisitive grandson Ulugbek, who from an early age was drawn to knowledge by the famous Tamerlane. On one of the trips with his grandfather, the boy first saw and visited the observatory, and since then he has been on fire with the dream of creating the same one of his own. At a fairly young age, having become the ruler of Samarkand, Ulugbek began to realize this dream, and by 1423 a famous observatory appeared in Samarkand. Only one of its parts has survived from the observatory to this day – a sextant with a radius of 40 meters, on which measurements of the height of celestial bodies were made.
16. Shakhi Zinda architectural monument
Ensemble of mausoleums of the Samarkand nobility on the hills of the ancient city of Afrosiab
Not far from the Bibi-Khanum mosque in Samarkand, there is one of the most beautiful and colorful memorial complexes, a cemetery street, the Shakhi-Zinda necropolis. The history of this ensemble begins in the 11th century, when the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, Abbas, nicknamed Shahi-Zinda, which translates as the Living King, was buried on the southeastern slope of the Afrasiab settlement. Today, as many as 14 mausoleums have survived to this day, whose facades shimmer with inflorescences of blue-blue ornaments and painted domes. Here are the tombs of famous personalities, military figures, scientists and craftsmen who entered the glorious history of Samarkand.
17. Ark Citadel
Ancient walls of the Ark citadel
One of the interesting places that can be attributed to the oldest cultural monuments of Uzbekistan is located in Bukhara – this is the Ark fortress. According to the results of archaeological research, the age of this citadel was determined – its foundation was laid between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the fortress served as a palace for the rulers of Bukhara. Throughout its long history, many creative and scientific minds have lived on the territory of the citadel, including Avicenna, Ferdowsi and Omar Khayyam. Nowadays, the fortress has turned into a large museum, where several departments function – for example, the department of history, numismatics or the department of nature.
18. Gur-Emir (Mausoleum of Tamerlane)
The Mausoleum of Tamerlane is a masterpiece of architecture in Central Asia
Like many famous monuments of Samarkand, the Gur-Emir mausoleum is associated with the name of the famous warrior Tamerlane. Many descendants and close associates of Amir Timur found their last shelter here. And the beginning of the construction of the tomb was associated with the sudden death of one of the grandsons of Tamerlane – Mohammed Sultan. The family crypt of the Timurid dynasty is a large single-domed building, in the expressive design of which many great architects of all Central Asia left their mark. Skillful wall painting, filigree blue and gold patterns, a combination of precious materials – all this once again reminds you how great people rest in these centuries-old walls.
Sights of Uzbekistan: what else to visit in Uzbekistan
The main sights of Uzbekistan were briefly listed above, but this is only a part of the memorable places, whose glory through the centuries has come down to our days. In addition to monuments created by man, there are many beautiful and amazing places created by nature itself on the territory of the country. The natural attractions of Uzbekistan, photos with names and descriptions are given in the continuation of the review.
19. Charvak reservoir
Charvak reservoir – an artificial lake with crystal clear water
The Charvak reservoir would be a simple artificial reservoir, if not for its emerald waters against the backdrop of magnificent nature, so harmoniously framing the shores. In the background, the teeth of the Tien Shan mountains flaunt, and the total length of the coastline of the reservoir is almost a hundred kilometers. This contributed to the fact that with the advent of the reservoir, the resort infrastructure began to actively develop: the best hotels of Uzbekistan, summer camps, boarding houses and tourist centers operate on the coast today, the entire coastal territory is divided into several large recreation areas.
20. Desert Kyzylkum
Sandy landscape of the Kyzylkum desert
On the Uzbek lands between the rivers Amu Darya and Syr Darya there is a great desert of Asia – Kyzylkum. In addition to Uzbekistan, Kyzylkum partially extends to the lands of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, occupying a total area of 300 square meters. kilometers. Despite the lifelessness of sandy massifs, dryness and a sharply continental climate, flora and fauna are quite diverse, especially with the advent of spring, when the amount of precipitation increases. Also, the lands of Kyzylkum are partially developed by man – small oases are created on the basis of artesian basins, deposits of gold ore are discovered, sheep breeding is carried out.
21. Ferghana Valley
Ferghana Valley among mountain ranges Tien Shan
The Ferghana Valley is a real pearl of Uzbekistan with rich and very picturesque nature. This is a fertile land full of water resources, various natural resources and oasis lands cultivated by settled farmers, and along the perimeter this region is surrounded by the majestic ranges of the Tien Shan. Even in ancient times, representatives of different civilizations lived in this blooming oasis, numerous archaeological finds testify to this.
22. Chimgan Mountains
Mountain landscape of Chimgan
The Chimgan Mountains are not only beautiful nature, picturesque slopes overgrown with relict thickets, valleys and gorges with the purest mountain rivers. It is also a popular tourist area where skiing, paragliding, and hiking flourish. Reviews indicate that a trip to the Chimgan mountains allows you to “reboot” and restore strength, having been fed from an inexhaustible source of energy – nature itself. People come here not only on vacation, but also on weekends and holidays, and a large number of tourist centers and hotels operating here make it possible to always find a suitable place for accommodation and overnight.
23. Ship Cemetery in Muynak
Fishing trawlers and boats rotting in the sun in Muynak
Once Muynak was a real oasis city where fishing flourished, and the Aral Sea was one of the world's largest salt lakes. Since the 60s of the last century, the sea has been regularly drained by man in order to change the direction of rivers for irrigation of fields. As a result of this activity, the sea began to die, exposing the land with a lot of dust and toxic chemicals. The rusty remains of ships are a landmark that clearly shows the sad consequences of the unreasonable treatment of the Aral Sea. The seaport, which was once on this site, has turned into a graveyard of ships, to the ruins of which you can go down and walk along the former seabed.
24. State Museum of the History of the Timurids
< img title="Sights of Uzbekistan: Top 30" src="/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/dostoprimechatelnosti-uzbekistana-top-30-a870126.jpg" alt="Sights of Uzbekistan: Top 30" />< /p> National Museum of Timurid History in the center of Tashkent Sigismund von Dobschütz
In the very center of the main city of Uzbekistan, the capital Tashkent, the State Museum of the History of the Timurids is located – in its collection there are more than 5 thousand exhibits from the era of the reign of Amir Timur and the Timurid dynasty. The opening of the museum in 1996 was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 660th anniversary of the birth of Timur, and the site was located next to the Amir Timur square, surrounded by beautiful parks, state and educational institutions. The style of the building corresponds to the era to which it is dedicated – the round building is crowned with a huge blue dome, the walls are lined with mosaics in the national style. The interiors are solemnly decorated and impress with their pomp, the second and third floors are completely dedicated to the history of the famous dynasty. The interior of these halls is richly decorated with gold leaf, marble, oriental paintings and miniatures; frescoes depicting historical paintings adorn the walls. The exposition includes archaeological, numismatic and ethnographic materials, military ammunition, skillful miniatures, paintings depicting Amir Timur by talented European masters.
25. Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
Museum of the History of Uzbekistan with an original facade on Rashidov Avenue in Tashkent Stefan Munder
Exhibition gallery on the second floor of the Museum of the History of Uzbekistan in Tashkent Davide Mauro
The eventful history is reflected in numerous museums – these national sights of Uzbekistan can be found even in the smallest towns of the country. What can we say about the capital – in Tashkent, at the end of the 19th century, the National Museum of Turkestan was founded, which at the beginning of the last century was transformed into the Museum of History. In a huge and original cubic building there is a large-scale composition that tells about the peculiarities of the country's historical development through cultural objects – various tools, dishes and household items, jewelry, mirrors and much more. The first floor houses the administration, a conference hall and a cinema hall. And the most interesting places can be seen on the 3rd and 4th floors – about ten thousand exhibits are shown here, and this is only a small part of the 250,000th collection in the funds. Among the most famous exhibits are a huge Saka cauldron of the 4th-5th centuries BC, a figure of Buddha with 2 monks called “Triad” of the 1st century. AD, samples of ancient fabrics and ceramics, coins, historical photographs and documents.
Official website: http://www.history
26 Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tashkent
View of the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tashkent Or2008
Against the background of the blue domes and minarets familiar to the Tashkent appearance, the Gothic silhouette of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, uncharacteristic for Central Asia, stands out – this is the main Catholic cathedral of Uzbekistan, known among local residents as the “Polish Church”. It is worth saying that Christianity first began to spread in the territory of Central Asia in the first centuries AD. thanks to the development of the Great Silk Road. Nevertheless, the first Catholic churches appeared only many centuries later – for example, the construction of this cathedral started in 1912, and prisoners of war were mainly involved in this process, among which there were many specialists – architects, engineers, sculptors, etc. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a magnificent example of neo-Gothic architecture. The decoration of its odious and gloomy facade are stained-glass windows and spiers, the interior decoration is lined with granite and marble, and the furniture and doors are made of valuable wood. The main hall is decorated with a 2-meter statue of Jesus Christ and a musical organ.
Official website: http://www.uzinform
27. Assumption Cathedral in Tashkent
Fountain and green spaces on the territory of the Assumption Cathedral in Tashkent GOL os
The history of the Assumption Cathedral is unique in that it was once a small cemetery church, called the Church of St. Panteleimon. In the middle of the last century, work began on the expansion of the temple. In the 30-40s of the last century, the temple was closed, and its premises were used for the needs of the hospital. After the end of the Second World War, the church was consecrated with the name of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and was appointed the main Orthodox cathedral in the capital. In the 1950s and 1960s, the temple was almost completely rebuilt; the new premises could accommodate up to 4,000 worshipers. After the collapse, the cathedral was thoroughly renovated and restored. Today you can visit the territory of the cathedral by passing through the triple arch topped with a golden dome. The structures of the inner courtyard are striking in their splendor – they are all made in the same style according to the laws of classicism, white decor in combination with blue facades gives airiness to the composition. The 5-tier openwork bell tower, reconstructed in the 20th century, deserves special attention.
Official website: http://pravoslavie
28. Bolo-Khauz complex< /h3>
Facade of a mosque with 20 columns and an artificial pond on Bukhara Square – Registan Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
(5684790316).jpg)_ For travelers to Uzbekistan, there is a good reason to take a last-minute tour with a visit to Bukhara. This city is famous for its many historical buildings, testifying to the turbulent historical events, among them the majestic fortification Ark occupies a special place. Another striking example of the architectural traditions of the East is the Bolo-Khauz mosque, built next to a water source. In general, the tradition of building artificial reservoirs, as well as mosques not far from them, appeared many centuries ago – there have always been problems with water in Central Asia. The beautiful architectural ensemble of Bolo-Hauz has the status of a historical landmark of Bukhara. The luxurious and elegant building of the mosque rises on the Registan Square, it is decorated with 20 columns made of carved wood. Near the mosque you can see the minaret, erected a few years after the mosque – this elegant building was in a slightly inclined state for a long time before the reconstruction, but later it was thoroughly strengthened and acquired a vertical look.
29. Khoja Donier Mausoleum
View of the Khodja Donier mausoleum and the place (dome) of the sacred spring Bobyrr
Long dakhma inside the mausoleum of Khoja Donier, in which the remains of the prophet Dan Lundberg are buried
The status of the most revered sights of Samarkand is the Mausoleum of Khoja Donier, located in the settlement of Afrosiab. Thousands of pilgrims come to the tomb today, including not only Muslims, but also Jews and Christians. This is because Donier, in Orthodoxy, Daniel is a prophet significant in these three world religions. One way or another, everyone who comes to get acquainted with Samarkand should visit this sacred place – it hides a lot of amazing beliefs and keeps a blessed spirit. Daniel was endowed by God with the ability to see and understand dreams and visions, and some of those relating to the end of the world and the second coming of Christ were recorded by the prophet and carried by the nations through the ages. One of the legends says that Amir Timur, making a pilgrimage to the place of the initial burial of the saint, decided to transport part of his relics to Samarkand, and now the mausoleum is located here. It conquers with its appeasement, and for many believers this is an ideal place where it is better to relax in peace and silence, to find a state of grace.
30. Kukeldash Madrasah in Tashkent
Internal a courtyard surrounded by two floors of hujras (cells) and a mosque in the Kukeldash Madrasah in Tashkent
During the Middle Ages, arid Central Asia was a real cultural oasis. Reading, knowledge of the basics of art and theology were the most important abilities of men of that time. The functions of educational centers in those years were performed by madrasahs – Muslim educational centers and part-time theological seminaries, and now – historical and cultural sights of Tashkent. Kukeldash is the largest institution of its kind, and today it is also a significant architectural monument in the center of the Uzbek capital. This “university” was founded in the 16th century by one of the people close to the Tashkent khans. This man had the nickname “kukeldash”, which in Uzbek means “the foster brother of the khan.” Over the centuries of its existence, the madrasah was both a fortress and a hotel; it survived two strong earthquakes. Therefore, the building was repeatedly restored, and only modern restorers were able to restore its original appearance – today the architecture and size of the madrasah fully comply with the canons of medieval architecture. The desire to explore the world is increasingly pulling modern travelers to Uzbekistan. Today, almost everyone can afford it, even with a relatively modest budget. Uzbekistan belongs to the countries of the post-Soviet space, where, with the fall of the Iron Curtain, tourism began to slowly but surely develop. Bright sun, exotic cuisine, an abundance of fruits and vegetables, oriental flavor, an unimaginable number of historical sights – this is what this fabulous sunny country of the East gives its guests.
