Uzbekistan

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Overview

The region’s cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and most impressive showstopper.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Registan

Samarkand

This ensemble of majestic, tilting medressas – a near-overload of majolica, azure mosaics and vast, well-proportioned spaces – is the centrepiece of the…

Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum

Samarkand

The beautiful portal and trademark fluted azure dome of the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum marks the final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), along with two sons…

Ark

Bukhara

The spectacular-looking Ark, a royal town-within-a-town, is Bukhara’s oldest structure, occupied from the 5th century right up until 1920, when it was…

Shah-i-Zinda

Samarkand

Samarkand’s most moving and beloved site is this stunning avenue of mausoleums, which contains some of the richest tilework in the Muslim world. The name,…

Savitsky Museum

Nukus

The Savitsky Museum houses one of the most remarkable art collections in the former Soviet Union. About half of the paintings were brought here in Soviet…

Kalon Minaret

Bukhara

When it was built by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan in 1127, the Kalon Minaret was probably the tallest building in Central Asia – kalon means…

Tosh-Hovli Palace

Khiva

This palace, which means ‘Stone House’, contains Khiva’s most sumptuous interior decoration, dense with blue ceramic tiles, carved wooden pillars and…

Kumtepa Bazaar

Fergana Valley

The fantastic Kumtepa Bazaar, 5km west of Margilon centre, is a time capsule full of weathered Uzbek men in traditional clothing exchanging solemn…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

From skiing and wine-tasting to exploring the historic cities of the Silk Road, you’ll never be short of things to do in Uzbekistan.

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Best Places to Visit

Uzbekistan is the romance of the Silk Road condensed into a country. Here are the top places to visit.

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Best Time to Visit

Whether you're looking for adventure experiences, budget travel opportunities, or exciting cultural festivals, here are the best times to visit Uzbekistan.

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Things to Know

Uzbekistan is a magnificent destination that is easy to explore. We've got all the planning tips you need to make your first visit all you dreamed it would be.

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Transportation

Train, plane, shared taxi or your own car? There are many ways to get around Uzbekistan. Here’s a full guide to them.

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Visa Requirements

It’s never been easier to travel to Uzbekistan – read on to see if you need a visa to and how to go about getting one.

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Money and Costs

Experience everything the Silk Road has to offer in Uzbekistan, one of Asia’s most affordable destinations.

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Traveling with Kids

Experience the Silk Road as a family with this guide to exploring Uzbekistan with kids.