Close
Subscribe to my Telegram Channel,
and get new articles first!

Uzbekistan in use

Due to various world events, travelers now have to think much more carefully about their itineraries. After all, the country should have a positive attitude toward Russians, the Mir card should be accepted (preferably), there should be no strict covid restrictions, and at the same time this country should be interesting to discover.
It's a very special country. On the one hand it is the Soviet Union, where everyone speaks Russian to you. On the other, it is the ancient state of Sogdiana, a center of science and enlightenment, with unique mosques, ornaments and oriental coloring.
One of these areas now is Uzbekistan
Samarkand and Bukhara are considered to be the main tourist cities of Uzbekistan, as the great Silk Road from China to India passed through them. It is here that most of the ancient mosques and "madrassas" - educational institutions where the sons of kings and emperors were individually educated - have survived. Almost every complex and architectural ensemble here - a museum, the entrance to which costs from 25 to 300 rubles. And it's definitely worth it - so colorful are the painted and patterned walls, so beckoning is the pleasant coolness inside the centuries-old pillars.
Tashkent , the capital of Uzbekistan, is less entertaining, because the actual ancient buildings have not survived because of the earthquake of 1966. Nevertheless, it is a modern and pleasant metropolis, where, too, it is a must to walk the main streets.
By the way, you can fly to Uzbekistan not only through Tashkent - there are planes to Bukhara and Samarkand, and they cost about 8-10,000 from Moscow. From Nizhny Novgorod, even with connections, it is uncomfortable and expensive, so it is better to go to the capital.

Hotel can be rented from 500 rubles, so that a trip to Uzbekistan can be not only very informative, but also extremely budget-friendly. Money here is Uzbek sum, the exchange rate of 1 ruble = 200 sums, so that all purchases will be in thousands and millions. So, who here wanted to become a millionaire?


Hotel can be rented from 500 rubles, so that a trip to Uzbekistan can be not only very informative, but also extremely budget-friendly. Money here is Uzbek sum, the exchange rate of 1 ruble = 200 sums, so all purchases will be in thousands and millions. So, who here wanted to become a millionaire?

Let's take a closer look at two of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan.

Bukhara - an oasis city
This city-museum, located right in the middle of the desert, is about 2,500 years old. Although most of its buildings date back to the 16th-17th centuries. Both Bukhara and Samarkand actively passed from one conqueror to another during the times of the ancient world and the great empires - they were the Persian Empire, the Roman and Byzantine empires, and in the 8th century AD the Mongol invasion came here. A complete description of Bukhara from the 10th century has been preserved, which describes, for example, the Fortress of Ark, which must be visited in the first place.
It is such a large-scale structure with high walls and a huge Bukhara history museum inside. During its history, Bukhara has even been the capital of the Khanate, so the spirit of conquest and the wisdom of the ancestors is preserved here. It is especially felt in the only unrestored Uzbek "Medras of Ulugbek", which you can also find while strolling through the sights of the city.
I usually google directly, for example, "Bukhara sights", put points on the map and go by them. There are about 7-8 of them here, you can go around in 2 days easily. Note the majestic Bolo House and Hoja - Gaukushon complex. It's just the kind of "postcard" Uzbekistan we've seen in photos. For beautiful travel pics here too.
From the Arch and the Mosques we can walk along the street where the Silk Road was. It will lead us to Labi House, an old town full of craftsmen and narrow streets. It's incredibly pleasant to walk here, both during the day and in the evening, when the warm lights come on and the street musicians unload their guitars.

Walk around Bukhara and enjoy its atmosphere!

Samarkand
Самарканд - древний и величественный
This city is the same age as Rome, and it was here that Tamerlane - one of the most famous Asian rulers - reigned. It is not for nothing that it is on the list of 50 must-see cities in life. It is impossible to come to Samarkand and remain indifferent - it is so majestic and unhurried.
The main square of Samarkand is Registan. It is a majestic ensemble with 2 "madrassahs" and a mosque, which are exquisite both outside and inside.
The Shahi Zinda memorial ensemble is no less fascinating - it is a street with painted mosques on each side. Be sure to walk there and take beautiful pictures.
But the cathedral mosque Bibi Hanim was more modest inside. I liked the market next to it much better, because you won't find so many spices in any other country!
Before our era there was a site of Afrosiab in Samarkand, and in the northern part of the city, it is said, there are remnants of it. But no matter how much we searched, we found only deserted hills. And no traces of ancient civilization, only in the history museum.

In general, it is Registan and Shahi Zinda in Samarkand that is the Uzbekistan that any traveler should see. They amaze, impress, leave a mark in the soul.
What to keep in mind when traveling to Uzbekistan:
  • In summer, it is very hot here. The temperature reaches 42 degrees, so it is better to go to this country in the spring or fall, or always arrange a quiet hour from 12 to 16 in the afternoon.
  • This is a country of cabs and cab drivers. There are almost no buses, but you can take a cab anywhere from 25 to 100 rubles. But the best thing is to order a Yandex cab, not to catch a car on the street. It will be two times cheaper. And do not tie the card, pay in cash.
  • To order Yandex Taxi, you have to get a local SIM card. You can get the familiar Beeline operator, or you can get the local Ucell. The second is more convenient, there are less queues.
  • In any restaurant you will be added to the check + 10% for service.
  • The Mir card is accepted almost everywhere, but it's better to have cash. It is advantageous to withdraw it from Kapitalbank.
  • There are almost no malls and supermarkets here, only in big cities, or 2-3 per city. So basically you have to buy snacks in small stores, which were common in our country in the 90s.
  • Oddly enough, the pilaf doesn't come at you every step of the way! You still have to find it. Ask the locals which cafes are the tastiest.
  • It is very convenient to travel between the cities by train. There are ordinary trains and high-speed trains, they reach speeds of up to 230 km per hour and are called Afrosiyab. Trains can be booked on the Uz Railways app.
  • Each hotel will give you a "registration" - you will need it when you leave the country.
  • Citizens of Uzbekistan are not very fond of observing the order and personal boundaries of the tourist standing in front of them.
  • Prices for food here are about two times lower
  • From time to time, cities can lose internet - both wi-fi and regular mobile. And there is nothing you can do about it - the whole city just accepts it and enjoys offline communication.

А вы хотели бы увидеть Узбекистан своими глазами?