About Uzbekistan

Cultural tourism in Uzbekistan highlighted by Avesta Information Agency of Tajikistan
22 March 2024
Cultural tourism in Uzbekistan highlighted by Avesta Information Agency of Tajikistan

The popular Tajik Information Agency Avesta published an article about Uzbekistan’s tourism, particularly cultural tourism in our country.

The publication writes that Uzbekistan is a country with a rich history and rich culture, and a treasure trove of cultural tourism. Uzbekistan offers a unique combination of old and new, tradition and innovation starting from the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the bustling bazaars of Tashkent.

The article notes the historical monuments of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Khiva, Urgench, Termez, and Karakalpakstan, which form the basis of historical and educational tourism in Uzbekistan. These cities of Uzbekistan with their unique architecture and cultural heritage, are living proof of the country’s rich history that one can enjoy while visiting Uzbekistan.

Authentic villages in Uzbekistan were described as a part of the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan, adding to the rich cultural diversity and uniqueness of each region of Uzbekistan and the entire country overall.

“Cultural tourism in Uzbekistan not only allows visitors to immerse themselves in the country's rich cultural heritage but also provides an opportunity to enjoy and participate in rural life” – writes the author.  

The article gives an example of the cultural heritage sights of Uzbekistan, Katta Langar, which is a unique place offering a combination of historical and cultural experiences for those willing to take a cultural trip to Uzbekistan. “There is a unique memorial complex here. The village was settled in the late 15th century by the Ishqiya Sufi group. The village's Friday Mosque, built soon after Ishqiya's arrival, is an architectural marvel with an ocean of blue tiles and an intricate ceiling supported by wooden columns” – writes the author.

“Towering over the city is the mausoleum of the powerful local Sheikh Mohammed Sadiq, who is buried along with his father, son and possibly one of Tamerlane's daughters. The dome of the mausoleum is in the classical Timurid style, built with restraint and elegance” – continues the publication describing Katta Langar.

The article encourages tourists traveling to Uzbekistan to include Katta Langar in their list since it also offers a glimpse into rural Uzbek life. The village is famous for its ancient brick houses. Visitors can be invited to one of these houses, have tea and scones and spend the day relaxing with the locals.

Continuing with the unique villages of Uzbekistan, the author describes the villages of Tersak and Gelon, where tourists can enjoy the delicious local, or immerse themselves in the local culture and way of life, including traditional farming methods, crafts and cuisine.

Staying in guest houses or homestays owned by local families provides an opportunity to interact and learn about their customs and traditions. The village also hosts cultural events and festivals throughout the year, showcasing music, dance and other aspects of Uzbek heritage.

“Tourist villages in Uzbekistan offer a unique and authentic experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions. Whether you're learning traditional crafts, exploring nature, or simply enjoying the tranquility of rural life, these villages are a must-visit for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage” – concludes the publication, inviting travelers to take an unforgettable trip to Uzbekistan’s cultural destinations. 

More news about Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan becomes the most hospitable country in Central Asia

The Canadian company Arton Capital has published a rating of the most hospitable countries in the world – “Welcoming Countries Rank-2023”.

24 February 2023
Uzbekistan hosted more than half a million tourists in the month of May

According to the information provided by the Uzbek State Committee of Statistics, more than 503 000 foreign travelers visited Uzbekistan for touristic purposes in May this year.

20 June 2022
Uzbekistan Airways resumes regular flights between Tashkent and Paris after two years break

Great news: Uzbekistan Airways is resuming regular weekly flights with France. 

05 April 2022
Did you know?

Uzbekistan is one of only two countries in the world to be ‘double landlocked’ (landlocked and totally surrounded by other landlocked countries). Liechtenstein is double landlocked by 2 countries whilst Uzbekistan is surrounded by 5!

Did you know that Uzbekistan lies in the very heart of Eurasia, the coordinates for Uzbekistan are 41.0000° N, 69.0000°

Uzbekistan is home to the Muruntan gold mine, one of the largest open pit gold mines in the world! The country has 4th largest reserves of gold in the world after South Africa, USA and Russia

Uzbekistan is the world capital of melons. They have in excess of 150 different varieties, which form a staple part of the local diet, served fresh in the summer and eaten dried through the winter.

It is Uzbek tradition that the most respected guest be seated farthest from the house’s entrance.

Tashkent’s metro features chandeliers, marble pillars and ceilings, granite, and engraved metal. It has been called one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

The Uzbek master chef is able to cook in just one caldron enough plov to serve a thousand men.

When you are a host to someone, it is your duty to fill their cups with for the whole time they are with you.  What you must not do, however, is to fill their cup more than half-full.  If you do that as a mistake, say it is a mistake immediately.  Doing it means you want them to leave.  Wow!  Amazing, right?

To Uzbeks, respect means a whole lot.  For this reason they love it if, even as foreigners, you endeavour to add the respectful suffix opa after a woman's name; and aka after a man's.  Example: Linda-opa and David-aka.  You could also use hon and jon respectively.

Having been an historic crossroads for centuries as part of various ancient empires, Uzbekistan’s food is very eclectic. It has its roots in Iranian, Arab, Indian, Russian and Chinese cuisine.

Though identified with the Persia, the Zoroastrism probably originated in Bactria or Sogdiana. Many distinguished scholars share an opinion that Zoroastrianism had originated in the ancient Khorezm. Indeed, today in the world there were found 63 Zoroastrian monuments, including those in Iran, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Thirty-eight of them are in Uzbekistan, whereas 17 of these monuments are located in Khorezm.

One of Islam's most sacred relics - the world's oldest Koran that was compiled in Medina by Othman, the third caliph or Muslim leader, is kept in Tashkent. It was completed in the year 651, only 19 years after Muhammad's death. 

Tashkent is the only megapolis in the world where public transport is totally comprised of Mercedes buses. And due to low urban air polution it is one of the few cities where one can still see the stars in the sky.

You would be surprised to know that modern TV was born in Tashkent. No joke! The picture of moving objects was transmitted by radio first time in the world in Tashkent on 26 of July 1928 by inventors B.P. Grabovsky and I.F. Belansky.

Uzbekistan is the only country in the world all of whose neighbours have their names ending in STAN. This is also the only country in Central Asia that borders all of the countries of this region

Uzbeks are the third populous Turkik ethnicity in the world after Turks and Azeris (leaving both in Azerbaijan and Iran)

Did you know that there was silk money in Khiva? Super interesting right? Of course, but the best part of having silk money was that it could be sewn into your clothing.

Famous Islamic physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna in the Latin world) who was born near Bukhara was the one of the first people to advocate using women’s hair as suture material – about 1400 years ago.

Uzbekistan has a long and bloody history. The most notorious leader of Uzbekistan was Timur (or Tamerlane) who claimed descent from Genghis Khan. His military campaigns have been credited for wiping out some 5% of the world’s population at the time.

If you have thought that some of the Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan resembles that from Northern India, then that is because Timur’s great great great Grandson, Babur Beg, was the founder of the Moghul Empire that ruled much of India for almost four centuries! Babur’s great great Grandson was Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal.

Uzbekistan was once a rum producig country. There is still a real arboretum in Denau (city near Termez on the border with Afghanistan), grown from a selection station that studied the prospects of plant growing in the unusual for the Soviet Union subtropical climate of Surkhandarya region: only here in the whole of the USSR sugar cane was grown and even rum was produced!

Uzbekistan has been ranked one of the safest countries in the world, according to a new global poll. The annual Gallup Global Law and Order asked if people felt safe walking at night and whether they had been victims of crime. The survey placed Uzbekistan 5th out of 135 countries, while the UK was 21st and the US 35th. Top five safest countries:

  • Singapore
  • Norway
  • Iceland
  • Finland
  • Uzbekistan
Exchange rates
100 RUR
12697.33 UZS
100 USD
1294043.55 UZS
100 EUR
1333809.06 UZS
100 GBP
1592061.37 UZS
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