Uzbekistan had strict visa rules regarding foreign visitors. In recent years, the country has slowly opened its doors to welcome more tourists and show the world everything it has to offer. Its rich history is deeply entrenched in being a part of the Silk Road. The country has an impressive collection of majestic cities, regal shrines, and grandiose mosques. Among the Stan countries, Uzbekistan has been attracting the highest number of tourists every year. A huge part of this is because the country has plenty of famous attractions. If you plan to explore this country, read through our list of the top 10 things Uzbekistan is famous for.
1. Uzbek wine (from USD 65.0)
Vineyards in Uzbekistan cover 127,000 hectares (313,824 acres) of land, making viticulture a major economic sector for the country. Since 2006, the government has put a lot of attention to this agricultural field and has increased its land coverage by 22,000 hectares (54,363 acres) in 2015. Its wine industry is not about the quantity it produces; it’s about the quality. Most of the wine made is for mass consumption, and Uzbek wine quality gets better each year. Among the wine regions, Samarkand is known to produce the best wine in Uzbekistan, and this tour will help you appreciate this for a full two hours.
Wine Tasting Tour in Samarkand
Duration: 1 hour
2. Zindan of Emir
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Zindan is one of two prisons located in Bukhara, the other being the Ark Fortress. Zindan is located behind the Ark Fortress and now serves as a museum. Once used as the prison of Emir, it now has dummy prisoners that visitors can see by joining tours. Zindan appears like a small fortress with its cells dug into the ground and are called ‘black pits.’ These pits are often inhabited by bugs, with some, such as spiders and scorpions, being lethal. Prisoners are lowered into these cells while their food and water were delivered in the same manner.
Zindan of Emir
Address: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
3. State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
State Museum of History of Uzbekistan opened its doors to the public in 1876 and was formerly called the National Museum of Turkestan. It has over 250,000 objects on display on subjects that include ethnography, numismatic, and archeology. The museum has four floors, with the first floor serving as an area for modern displays. Historical elements take center stage on the second floor that showcases ancient tools, jewelry, and home items dating back thousands of years. The history of three khanates is on display on the third floor. This period is when three feudal states ruled the land. The fourth floor reflects Uzbekistan’s recent past with exhibits culled from the 19th and 20th centuries.
State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
Address: 3 Buyuk Turon Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
4. Registan Square
A trip to Samarkand, one of the country’s ancient cities, is not complete without visiting Registan Square. This is one of the country’s world-renowned landmarks brought about by its awe-inspiring oriental architecture. Three imposing madrasahs dominate the outer portion of the square, where its pathways face the central part of the area. These madrasahs are characterized and identified through their unique designs and have maintained their original glory throughout the centuries. The square is one of the reasons why Samarkand is listed as a World Heritage Site under UNESCO and gained entry into the list in 2001.
Registan Square
Address: Registan St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 8am – 7pm; Thu: 8am – 8:15pm
5. Aral Sea
The Aral Sea is actually a lake - and an enigmatic one. Most of this huge body of water has dried up and is now just sand and soil. It straddles the borders of several central Asian countries, but the most scenic parts can be seen in the town of Moynaq (also spelled Muynak) in Uzbekistan. Visitors of the town can be treated to tour several shipwrecks that sank several centuries ago. The Regional History and Aral Sea Museum is a great starting point on your journey to this vast and intriguing tourist destination. Visitors love coming back here.
Aral Sea
Address: Aral Sea, Moynaq, Uzbekistan
6. Ancient cities of the Silk Road (Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva) (from USD 1.0)
The part of the Silk Road that passes through Uzbekistan is the least visited. Unbeknownst to travelers, this area has many attractions laid out along the old cities of Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara. Samarkand’s olden character is seen in its several mosques, the dome-shaped market, and the oldest monuments in the Central Asian region. Khiva still has signs of its significance to the silk trade of centuries ago. Historically, Bukhara is considered the heart of the Silk Road because this is where most trading was done. Today, all three ancient cities are great places to visit for Uzbek cuisine, history, and culture.
Colourful Uzbekistan
Duration: 9 days
7. Cuisine
Uzbek cuisine is one of the tastiest and most savory in all of Central Asia. Plov is the national dish of the country and is available everywhere; Uzbeks eat it any time of the day. Other popular Uzbek dishes include samsa, lagman, shashlik, shurpa, and manti. The one thing that these dishes have in common is their aromatic smell. This is because Uzbek cuisine uses herbs and spices for flavor on all types of protein, grain, and vegetables. Its cuisine is strongly influenced by Persian, Central Asian, and Far Eastern gastronomic traditions making it a melting pot of taste and culture.
8. Watermelons
Uzbekistan’s watermelons are known to be some of the sweetest in the whole world. There is an impressive number of varieties to choose from. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. However, all these watermelons have one thing in common – sweetness. Those who have tried it swear that its taste closely resembles that of honey. A ripe watermelon can serve as a dessert or a full meal for the whole family. This reason alone makes it one of the best things to try in the country. The good news is that these watermelons are available almost everywhere in the country.
9. Hospitable people
The hospitality of its people is one of Uzbekistan’s biggest attractions and has been known for centuries. Back then, Uzbeks have been known to host people who traverse the Silk Road and were in search of accommodations and food. This practice is no longer done today, but Uzbek hospitality is very much alive. Families openly welcome guests into their homes and treat them with respect. They feed them, shelter them, and make nice memories to make their guests’ stay memorable. This is because Uzbeks hold hospitality in high regard, leading them to treat visitors like royalty.
10. Chor Minor
The exterior of Chor Minor is composed of four minarets, each uniquely designed from the rest. These designs are believed to be the interpretation of the four major religions of the world. The first thing visitors will notice is the patio situated in front of the entrance of the madrasa. There are several hujras lined up on its side, which are rooms dedicated to prayer. The structure was well-preserved and maintained even though it was built back in 1807. Chor Minor is considered one of the most important edifices in Bukhara and is acknowledged as a cultural monument. It has always been one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
Chor Minor
Address: 90 Mekhtar Anbar St, Bukhara 200100, Uzbekistan
Have a memorable time in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan will have you enamored from the moment you step foot here. The country is filled with culture, history, architecture, and tradition that takes you back to the past - it is a living museum. These famous things in Uzbekistan will help you experience their way of life and history during your vacation here.
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