1 Amir Timur Museum, Tashkent
The Amir Timur Museum in Tashkent houses over 5,000 artifacts that depict the culture and history of the Timurid Dynasty. It was opened in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, in 1996. A unique feature of the museum is that it was designed to resemble the Gur-e Amir mausoleum in Samarkand, though the reason for this remains unknown.
2 Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent
Located in the heart of Tashkent, the Chorsu Bazaar is a well-known building with a blue dome that serves as a traditional market. It offers a wide range of products, from clothing to trinkets, for both tourists and locals alike. Be sure to also visit the Kukeldash Madrasah, located at the end of the bazaar, which is considered one of the must-see destinations in Uzbekistan.
3 Plov Center in Tashkent
Plov is the quintessential dish of Uzbekistan. For Uzbek people, plov symbolizes hospitality and cultural identity. It is prepared in large, wood-fired cooking pots called “kazans.” The menu at the Central Asian Plov Center is straightforward, offering plov, salad, and tea.
At the Plov Center of Tashkent, patrons can select their preferred portions of rice, meat, and have the option of adding an egg or kazy (horse sausage) to their dish.
4 Registan, Samarkand
Registan is a sprawling ensemble of madrasas in the center of Samarkand, adorned with majolica, mosaics, and well-proportioned spaces. It is considered one of the most breathtaking sights in Central Asia, made up of three magnificent buildings designed in Islamic architecture. Despite its destruction by Chinggis Khan, Registan boasts some of the world’s oldest preserved madrasas and is a prominent tourist attraction in Uzbekistan. A visit at any time of day will provide a breathtaking view.
5 Gur-e-Amir, Samarkand
The Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, the final resting place of the 14th-century Mongol conqueror Timur, is an ancient building notable for its stunning azure dome designed like a flute. The dome holds great significance as it contains the ashes of Timur and his descendants. A nighttime visit amplifies the beauty of the dome.
6 Ark, Bukhara
The Ark of Bukhara, the city’s oldest standing structure, is a unique complex featuring one royal city within another. It served as the residence of the Bukharan emir for centuries, from the 5th century until the early 20th century. Despite being bombed by the Red Army in 1920, it still exudes the grandeur of its past. A visit to the remains, now converted into museums, offers a glimpse into its former royal quarters.
7 Lyab-i-Hauz, Bukhara
Lyab-i Hauz is a tranquil square in Bukhara, surrounded by tall mulberry trees and fed by an ancient canal, and one of the few remaining ponds in the city. To the south of Lyab-i-Hauz is the historic Jewish Quarter, which is worth visiting as one of the most charming places in Uzbekistan.
8 Kalon Minaret
The Kalon Minaret was constructed by Arslan Khan, a Karakhanid ruler, in 1127. The architect, known only as Bako, designed the minaret as a circular brick tower that gradually narrows upward, measuring 9 meters in diameter at the base, 6 meters overhead, and standing at a height of 45.6 meters.
9 The Walled City of Khiva
The city of Kiva, also known as Khorasam, is a 2000-year-old city surrounded by fortified brick walls. It is rich in beautiful places and monuments and has been designated as the first Uzbek World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its walled inner city, Itchan Kala. It is recommended to spend a night in Khiva to appreciate the breathtaking views of the sunsets and sunrises in the old town.
The Islam Khoja complex, named after the Prime Minister of Isfandiar Khan, dates back to the early 20th century and includes a minaret and mosque. The minaret of the complex is considered the symbol of Khiva.
10 Aydarkul Lake
Aydarkul Lake, located in the midst of the Kyzylkum desert, is a semi-artificial lake that currently spans over 4,000 square kilometers. Created by the Soviets, it is situated near a smaller seasonal lake and is a popular tourist destination, offering various activities for visitors to enjoy during their vacation.
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