Republic of Uzbekistan

Flag

Emblem
Territory: 447.4km2
Population: 27.6 mln.
Capital: Tashkent
Language: Uzbek state
Dominant religion: Islam
Greenwich Mean Time: +5 hours
Electric power: 220V AC, 50A
Internet International: standard nets of a double plug.uz
Telephone code: +998

UZBEKISTAN: The Silk Road Oasis in the heart of Central

Asia

Uzbekistan offers many exciting opportunities for people of all age brackets to explore and make their own discoveries. It is
Uzbekistans rich historical legacy, unspoiled dramatic natural landscapes, ancient monuments, its hospitable inhabitants of diverse
ethnical origins and the process of change the country is going through, which make it an ideal destination for modern day
discoverers. Travelling through Uzbekistan is beyond a doubt an unforgettable experience.
*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

TASHKENT: a city to discover

For many travellers to Uzbekistan Tashkent is simply a necessary stopover en route to the dream destinations of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. However
this historical city holds many treasures and rewards, and upon deeper exploration you will encounter some unexpected surprises.
Wide avenues and tree-lined streets, imposing buildings and large squares dominate the 'new' town while the old town retains its higgledy-piggledy
charm; low adobe houses turned inwards on their shady courtyards, winding streets, and ancient mosques and medresses.

*Photo by Anton Kovalenko, Zafar Khusanov, Anastacia Lee, Archive of Silk Road Media

SAMARKAND - The name of the town is mentioned as far back as the first thousand years B.C. in the Holy Book of
Zoroaster, the Avesta

Registan - The architectural ensemble of the Registan is considered pre-eminent in Central Asia and supreme among Islamic
monumental architecture. The former market place Registan is today framed from three sides by the UlugbekMadressa (14171420), SherdorMadressa (1619-1636), and Tillya-Kari Madressa (1647-1660).
Afrasiab- As the capital of Sogdiana, Afrasiab was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 B.C. In the beginning of the 8th century
the site of Afrasiab was conquered by the Arabs and developed into a cultural center for the Islamic world. In 1220, Afrasiab was
conquered and razed almost to the ground by the Mongols under Genghis Khan.

Gur Emir Mausoleum- Another masterpiece of Islamic architecture, the construction of which started in 1403 upon the sudden
death of Muhammad Sultan, the direct heir and beloved grandson of Tamerlane (Amir Temur). Ulugbek completed the
construction and it is during his reign that the mausoleum became the family crypt of the Timurid dynasty.

Ulugbek Madrassa- This institute of higher learning in its heyday admitted at least 100 students under its roof, taught in the way of
Islam, science and languages by some of the best scholars of their time. Its dimensions are harmoniously combined with the
sublime elegance of its tiled faade. The entrance gate to this 15th century masterpiece leads into an inner yard of four arches with
two rows of hujras.
*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

Bibi-Khanum Mosque -The construction of the mosque was undertaken in 1399, after the victorious campaign of Temur in India
and was completed in 1404, within five years. By Temur's decree the mosque Bibi-Khanum had to outshine everything he had seen
elsewhere. In view of the fact that he had the most skilled and innovative masters assembled in Samarkand, it was seen as a realistic
endeavour.
Shah-I-ZindaNekropolis - From the entrance at street level, 36 stairs lead up to an ante chamber, which gives way to the necropolis.
Most of the mausoleums stem from the 14th and 15th century. The architectural ensemble of Shah-i-Zinda and its manifold glazed
majolica patterns are renovated today and premiere examples of the finest composed mosaics.

*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel - Among the hills of Afrasiab, on the river-bank of the small rivulet Siebcha (a tributary of the
Zerafshan river), there is a wondrous place, the aura of which is immediately apparent. Complete calm prevails here, even birds
remain quiet. This is where the Mausoleum of Saint Daniel lies. Among scholars, there is still no agreement as to when and how the
mausoleum of the biblical prophet Daniel appeared in Samarkand. It is a sacred site for three world religions: Islam, Judaism, and
Christianity.
International music festival SHARK TARONALARI - every two years, inside the Registan, the international music festival Shark
Taronalari is held. Since its inception in 1997, when bands, musical ensembles and singers from 31 countries participated it has
now become one of the greatest festivals not only in Central Asia, but in the world.

The most common national dishes in Samarkand are: pilaw; shashlik from any sort of meat, samsa (small cakes with meat, baked in
a special oven, tandir) with meat, potato, or pumpkin; shurpa (soup, cooked of big amount of fresh meat, potato, or, sometimes,
pumpkin, cut into large pieces); lagman (thick spaghetti with meat or vegetable sauce); nuhad (Central Asian big peas, stewed with
mutton); moshkichiri (a squash of mung bean, rice and meat); manti (big steamed raviolis).During melon season, try the many
different varieties.
*Photo by Caravan Group

BUKHARA
Bukhara I Sharif, Bukhara the noble, as this legendary town is called, is a highlight on any journey through Central Asia. The
atmosphere of olden days still prevails is the old town, where most of the hotels and B&Bs are located, just off the central pond,
LyabiHauz.

The Ark Citadel (the residence of Bukhara's former sovereigns and a citadel) is the most ancient memorial of Bukhara, with
foundations dating to the 3rd century B.C.
UlugbekMadressa built by Tamerlane's grandson, Ulugbek, the astronomer, it is the oldest madressa in Bukhara, still active today,
which encapsulates Bukharas role as the holiest city of Central Asia.
*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

The Poi Kalyan Cathedral Mosque - the Cathedral Mosque of Bukhara was originally situated near the walls of Bukhara's Citadel but
was badly damaged in 1067 during a civil war. The governor of Bukhara at the time, Arslan-Khan ordered the mosque to be re-built
away from the citadel, adding a magnificent minaret, the likes of which had not been seen previously.
The LyabiHauzis Bukharas central square that spreads around a central pool with its madressas and cafs shaded by mulberry
trees. It has existed since the 1620s and means around the pool in the local Tajik based language.
Mausoleum of the Samanids, which is the family grave of the Samanid sovereign's dynasty, represents one of the premiere
architectural samples of artful brickwork typical of the Samanids governing period (875-999).In a beautiful park, the perfect cube
topped by a half-sphere dome stands all on its own. Its seemingly ever-changing appearance throughout the day is due to the
shadow cast by the patterns shaped by the protruding bricks in ever new constellations.

*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

KHIVA
The history of Khiva and the Khorezm oasis is fascinating and a walk through the Ichan Kala, the old walled city of Khiva, will give
you an insight into the life led there from ancient days up to the present time. You know you are nearing Khiva when you cross the
legendary Amudarya (Oxus) river. As you round the last bend, the mighty citadel rises before you and the main gate opens up to
the old city.

Minaret Kalta Minor planned to become the highest minaret in the Islamic world at 80m, construction of the Kalta Minor was
interrupted

and

*Photo by Anton Kovalenko

the

project

abandoned,

with

the

death

of

its

commissioner,

the

Khan

himself,

in

1855.

Ichan-Kala is the most densely populated part of Khiva, comprising both private residences and historic monuments turned into
museums. The span of arches and portals, high walls, light angled towers, cupolas, minarets, and lofty aywans with wooden
columns create unexpected silhouettes.
Minaret Islam-Hojawas built by the order of Islam-Hoja, the prime minister of the Khan. This minaret is called the symbol of Khiva,
its slightly conic shape an early sample of the architecture of ancient Kunya-Urgench from the 14th century.
Djuma Mosque according to a description by the Arab geographer Al Muqaddasi, the Friday mosque dates from the 10th century.
This mosque is unique in its construction; it has no portals, cupolas, galleries or inner yard and access to the mosque is possible
from three sides.
The old fortress Kunya Ark connects the western wall of Ichan-Kala with the abode of the hermit, Ak Sheikh Bobo. The construction
of Kunya Ark was undertaken around 1686-1688 by Arang Khan, the son of Anush Khan. At the end of the 18th century, Kunya Ark
became a town within a town, and was separated from the Ichan-Kala by a high wall.

USEFUL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET TO UZBEKISTAN

degrees Celsius, while in the south (Termez - Sherabad) it

The most convenient way to get to Uzbekistan is to travel

reaches 41-42 degrees. The maximum temperature was

by plane to Tashkent from the main international airports of

Europe,

Asia

and

Middle

East.

National

company

Uzbekistan Airways offers flights from many destinations

within the

registered in the city of Termez - 50 degrees

CIS and European countries. There

are a lot of International airlines: China Southern Airlines,

Avia Traffic, Air Baltic, Turkish Airlines, Ural Airlines, Air
Astana, Russian Airlines, Transaero, Donavia, SCAT and etc.
The Trans-Caspian Railway traverses the country from
Turkmenabad in Turkmenistan via Kagan (near Bukhara),
Samarkand and Jizzakh, where the railway branches off to
serve the capital Tashkent.
CLIMATE IN UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan is a sun republic with continental climate. The
coldest month is January. The temperature drops in the
north to 8 C and below, and the extreme south, near the
town of Termez, it is above zero. The absolute minimum
winter temperatures of 35-38 degrees below zero.

TRANSPORT IN UZBEKISTAN
Rail: There are 3400 km (2,113 miles) of Uzbekistan railways
linking Termez, Samarkand, Bukhara, the Fergana Valley
and Nukus. There are two train stations in Tashkent - North
and South.
Taxi: Shared taxis and cars for rent are available in all major
cities of Uzbekistan. It is safer to use officially marked taxis.
Metro: Tashkent metro, the biggest one in Central Asia,
currently has three lines: Uzbekistan (11 stations), Chilonzor
(12 stations) and Yunusabad (6 stations).
CURRENCY
Currency exchange offices are located in the airport, large
supermarkets and hotels, in the markets and banks. Majority
of currency exchange offices in the city accept Euros and
US dollars.

The hottest months are July and August. During this period
the average temperature on the plains and foothills is 25-30

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