About Uzbekistan

Uzbek cities named as “The jewel of Central Asia” by Times Kuwait Magazine
07 October 2024
Uzbek cities named as “The jewel of Central Asia” by Times Kuwait Magazine

“Explore the jewel of Central Asia through Uzbekistan’s stunning cities” is the title of the article dedicated to Uzbek travel destinations by Times Kuwait magazine.

The colorfully illustrated and informative article about Uzbekistan, particularly Uzbek cities of Tashkent, Andijan, Fergana, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, talks about the ancient cities of Uzbekistan and the ongoing reforms carried out in the country to develop the tourism infrastructure, thus inviting more tourists from all over the world to travel to Uzbekistan.

Uzbek archeological sites and tourist attractions of Uzbekistan are highlighted in the article, naming the country as one of the most affordable and family-friendly destinations in the world. Historical heritage of Uzbek cities, modern infrastructure and authentic tourist villages are mentioned as the features attracting tourists from different parts of the world.

The authors of the article also highlight that you can organize your trip to Uzbekistan at affordable rates for accommodation and flight tickets, which makes the country even more attractive to visit.

Unique archeological monuments and Islamic mosques in Uzbekistan included in the UNESCO World Heritage List is another advantage to make this country worth visiting according to the magazine.  

The article then takes you to a beautifully illustrated journey in Uzbekistan, starting from the capital city, which offers tourists visiting Tashkent both modern and historical architecture to dive in, as well delicious food sold in local bazaars and delightful restaurants. 

“While wandering through the streets of Tashkent, you will feel as though you are in an open museum showcasing the grandeur of medieval architecture intertwined with modern European styles in its magnificent views” – write the authors describing the Uzbek capital.

Traveling the readers to the next Uzbek destinations, the authors write: “The city of Andijan holds a prominent and popular position as the birthplace of Emperor Zahir al-Din Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Mongol dynasty in northern India, making it an important tourist destination in Uzbekistan”.

A virtual trip to Samarkand comes next in the article, describing the city as one the most beautiful destinations in Uzbekistan.

“Samarkand is a meeting point for the world’s cultures, dating back to the seventh century BC, and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site” – as quoted from Times Quwait.

The author then counts the magnificent architectural heritage of Samarkand, such as the Dakhsh Palace and Bakhchisarai Palace, the Rajastan Mosque and its schools, the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Shah-i-Zindacomplex, the Guri Amir Mausoleum, and the Ulugh Beg Observatory, among many others. 

“Samarkand boasts a unique collection of historical sites, including the fifteenth-century astronomical observatory of Sultan Ulugh Beg, which highlights the prosperity of noble intellectual achievements” – writes the author, naming Samarkand a remarkable destination for those planning a trip to Uzbekistan.

The next Uzbek destination is Khiva, which has long been considered one of the most important cities along the Silk Road, located in western Uzbekistan.

“Khiva is a beautiful desert city that dates back to the Middle Ages and is one of the historic cities that has been perfectly preserved as it was” – continues the author.

The archaeological sites in Khiva that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Preservation List is highlighted in the article: “Formerly known as Khwarizm, Khiva is characterized by its old buildings, including over 250 ancient houses and more than 50 historical structures with unique styles and distinctive designs from the 18th and 19th centuries”.

You cannot skip the ancient city of Bukhara as you travel to Uzbekistan, since it is one of the most well-preserved Islamic cities of Central Asia, protected by UNESCO, with its history of more than 2000 years.

“Bukhara is an ideal city along the Silk Road and one of the greatest cities beyond the river, honored for being the birthplace of many of the greatest imams of Islam in its various branches” – writes the author impressed by the trip to Bukhara.

Bukhara has a unique tourism character, highlighted by its dazzling architecture and abundant orchards, and it is inhabited by a rich social and religious fabric, all infused with historical fragrance. Some of the 140 architectural monuments Bukhara preserves today have been listed in the article: the Samanid Dome, the Namazgah Mosque, the Kalon Minaret, and the Bolo Haouz Mosque.

The author finishes the article by taking the readers to a quick trip to Fergana, an Uzbek city located in the southern part of the Ferghana Valley, often referred to as the “Pearl of Central Asia” due to the fertility of its lands and the picturesque nature that surrounds it.

“Known as the “Garden of Uzbekistan,” Fergana is the largest city in the valley, nestled between the Tian Shan Mountains (Celestial Mountains) and the Pamir Alay mountain range.

Fergana is a relatively modern city, founded in 1876, so tourists will find modern landmarks from the Soviet period, alongside a few Islamic sites” – describes the author.

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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
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