Uzbekistan is a country as rich in history and culture as it is diverse. From the modern capital of Tashkent, to Silk Road gems like Samarkand and Bukhara, to breathtaking natural parks and reserves, below are 10 places from across the country where you will be sure to snap that perfect Instagram shot.
1. Samarkand at first glance
Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world and arguably the most famous one of modern Uzbekistan. Located in the south-west of the country, the city was founded in 700 BC and was a main hub along the Ancient Silk Road.
2. Samarkand from within
Shah-i-Zinda, meaning “The Living King”, is a necropolis in the north-eastern part of Samarkand. The entire complex, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Samarkand, comprises over 20 mausoleums and other ritual buildings from the 11th to the 19th centuries.
3. Tashkent
Yangi Oʻzbekiston, or Yangi Oʻzbekiston bogʻi, is a major park in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent. One of the largest parks in the country, it was established on occasion of the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. Opened on 31 August 2021, the independence monument in the park has become a worldwide recognized symbol of Tashkent.
4. Bukhara
Less known than Khiva or Samarkand, Bukhara is a hidden gem that embodies the spirit of the ancient Silk Road. This 2,500-year-old city, the 5th largest in the country, is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Uzbekistan, renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval townscape and monuments.
5. Khiva at a glance
Within the city of Khiva, the Itchan Kala settlement is hidden. 10-meter-high brick walls separated the inner town from the rest of the Khiva oasis, which once functioned as the last stop for caravans before crossing the desert to Iran. Spanning over 26 hectares, the inner city houses 51 ancient monumental structures and 250 dwellings.
6. Khiva from within
Traditional woodcarving has an old and rich history in Khiva and some of the most beautiful examples of it can be seen inside the Juma Mosque. Lines and lines of wooden columns — 213 in total — give a feeling of depth and perspective to the inner courtyard. Called karagacha, the elm columns have delicate sinuous patterns carved on them.
7. The Aral Sea
The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest lake in the world, but, over the past decades, climate change and human activity have led to its gradual shrinking. Located on the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the once great lake has shrunk so much it has separated in smaller basins, leaving behind a desert formed on the dried–up seabed – the Aralkum.
8. Zaamin Reservoir
The Zaamin National Park, located in the Jizzakh Region on the northeastern border of Uzbekistan, is the oldest nature reserve in the country. Created in 1926 as the Guralash Nature Preserve, the Zaamin National Park has recently been nicknamed the Uzbek Switzerland because of its lush vegetation. Contrasting that, in one part of the park, the Zaamin Reservoir is surrounded by what seem like endless plains.
9. Ugam-Chatkal National Park
Ugam-Chatkal National Park in northeastern Uzbekistan, is a one-off in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Described by the national tourist agency as “a real miracle of our planet”, it spans 574,000 hectares in the Bostanlyk, Parkent and Akhangaran regions, in Tashkent.
10. Camp under the stars
There are many yurt camps across Uzbekistan, giving a glimpse into centuries-old traditions and the way of life of locals. Some of the most famous yurt camps in Uzbekistan are: “Aydar”, located 10 kilometres from the Aydarkul Lake, “Safari”, near the city of Nurata, “Muynak”, on the shore of the Aral Sea, and “Ayaz-Kala”, near the settlement of Ayaz-Kala.
