The following list highlights some of the best places to visiting in Uzbekistan. So if you are in Uzbekistan, I recommend visiting the following:
- Kalon Minaret, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
- Aral Sea, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
- Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa, Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Charvak Lake, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Kuhna Ark Fortress, Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Aydar Lake, Jizzakh, Uzbekistan
- Islam Khodja Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Tash Hauli Palace, Khiva, Uzbekistan
- Chimgan Canyon, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
1. Kalon Minaret, Bukhara
The magnificent Poi-Kalyan ensemble, whose buildings were built in different centuries (12th-16th), has the same value for Bukhara as the Registan in Samarkand. The majestic Kalyan Minaret stands in the square, from where a striking panorama of the city opens up. This is the oldest minaret in Bukhara, standing almost 47 metres high. The Miri-Arab Madrasas, the Kalyan Mosque and the Amir Alimkhan Madrasas were built nearby. Not visiting the ensemble means not seeing Bukhara at all. Although it is quite difficult not to notice the top of the Kalyan minaret, which towers over the whole city.
2. Aral Sea, Karakalpakstan
Once the fourth largest lake in the world, it has seen almost all of its resources disappear in recent years. The terrain surprises all those who dare to travel to Uzbekistan, as the arid landscape is dotted with old fishing boats that have been completely abandoned. Those ships, which in ancient times were capable of lifting up to 50 tons of fish, have witnessed the desertification of the place. One of your favourite adventures if you decide to travel to Uzbekistan will undoubtedly be to enter one of these abandoned vessels. In fact, it has become popular for visitors to climb aboard an abandoned boat and enjoy a drink while admiring the desert landscape.
3. Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa, Khiva
This two-storey building, intended for 260 students, occupies a territory of 72×60 metres. There were 125 cells in the madrasa, each of which consisted of two rooms, which was very unusual for madrasas at that time. The cells on the first floor had a terrace and faced the street in front of the main gate. The façade of the building is crowned with five domes, and at the corners are the traditional guldasta-towers. The façade is decorated with enamelled bricks, the wooden doors are artistically carved, the majolica is decorated with vegetal designs, and the above-mentioned quote from Muhammad Amin Khan appears above the entrance. Although today the madrasa serves as a hotel, the building has not lost its historic appearance and continues to fascinate the inhabitants and visitors of Khiva with its grandeur.
4. Charvak Lake, Tashkent
The Charvak Reservoir, located 60 kilometres from Tashkent, is a popular recreation area for local residents. The reservoir’s shoreline is almost 100 kilometres long, half of which is occupied by various recreational areas, boarding houses and summer colonies. You can also enjoy your time in the villages of Yusupkhona and Brichmula, which offer panoramic views of Chimgan and other rocky mountains, which are also popular tourist spots for residents and visitors to the capital. It takes more than an hour from Tashkent to the Charvak Reservoir. Here you can swim, hike in the surrounding hills and mountains, parasail, ride a jet ski or simply enjoy the fresh air and crystal clear mountain water or watch an unforgettable sunrise and sunset.
5. Kuhna Ark Fortress, Khiva
Kunya-Ark means “ancient fortress”, it is a citadel, the former residence of the Khiva khans. The ancient fortress was filled with buildings over the centuries and was the centre of political life – on all sides it was surrounded by a square where parades and military training took place and criminals were executed. Unfortunately, little of its former splendour remains today – many buildings have collapsed over time. The most interesting part of the fortress is the terrace. To access it you have to pay an extra entrance fee and climb a few stairs. Once there you have a nice view of part of the old city of Khiva.
6. Aydar Lake, Jizzakh
This is a beautiful lake in the middle of the desert, its actual size is 3000 square metres, and its water source also comes from the Syydayra River. The area around the lake is perfect for hiking, horse riding and camel riding. The fauna is very rich. In spring and summer, the alpine meadows show different colours, red tulips and snow-white acacias. In early spring, when Aydar is taken, hundreds of ducks, geese and herons fly here. Visitors can enjoy this beautiful place by fishing, swimming or just relaxing in the sun.
7. Islam Khodja Minaret, Khiva
The height of the minaret, including the base, is 57 metres. Like all minarets of the period, it is wide at the base and ends with an almost pointed dome. The use of brick as a means of decoration reflects the progressive character of Islam Khodja. The beauty and elegance of this minaret can be compared only to the famous Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara. The madrasa of Islam Khodja is located behind the minaret. It is made up of 42 cell-hijras and a large vaulted hall. The mastery of the architects is evident in the contrasting combinations of architectural forms, skilfully applied in a limited space. The mihrab niche is decorated with majolica and carved in plaster. The façade is decorated with enamelling. The Islam-Khodja complex is considered one of the most beautiful and most visited sites in the city.
8. Tash Hauli Palace, Khiva
It was built between 1832 and 1841 and is undoubtedly the most beautiful building in Khiva. Tash Havli means “stone house”. This material was rarely used at that time, as most of the buildings were constructed of adobe. It follows the architecture of traditional Khorezm houses and ‘hauli’ cottages with enclosed courtyards. It consists of three separate parts: the harem complex where the khan lived, the banqueting hall (entertainment courtyard) for guests, and the reception courtyard. The decoration is characterised by carved marble and wooden columns, painted ceilings, wall decorations and the exquisite taste of the architect, and although the palace has more than 150 rooms, only a few of them can be visited.
9. Chimgan Canyon, Tashkent
Mount Chimugan has not only wonderful scenery, picturesque mountain slopes, relic clusters, canyons and ravines, but also the cleanest mountain rivers. It is also a popular tourist area with thriving skiing, paragliding and hiking. People come here not only for holidays, but also for weekends and holidays, and the large number of resorts and hotels operating here always allows you to find a suitable place to stay and spend the night. The most beautiful place in Chimgan is the Ridge Waterfall at Gulkam.
10. Registan, Samarkand
Registan is presented as the most important place on the Silk Road. A place through which all the roads of the Silk Road passed and a meeting point for the knowledge of Central Asia. It was the merchants and scientists of the time who made Samarkand mythical. What we now know as “mythical Samarkand”. The Registan Square is made up of 3 large madrassas, the largest we saw on the whole trip, which were important at the time and which make travellers from all over the world dream day after day. The high point of the square is around 19.30 hrs. at sunset, when the magic appears inside the madrasas and they begin to powder their faces to the rhythm of different shades of colour.
11. Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent
The Chorsu Market in Tashkent is a must-see in Uzbekistan. It is one of the great silk road markets still in operation today. A market for locals where people from the countryside come to trade. The image of the Chorsu Bazaar is its great dome. Inside the dome, local products are bought and sold, separated by zones. It is perhaps the most organised part of the market. The most authentic, chaotic and the most interesting place to get lost in for the whole morning is the surrounding area. A myriad of stalls, tents, and vendors offering what they directly grow, sew or slaughter. Visiting Tashkent’s main market is definitely an experience.
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