Last Updated: April 29, 2022
Things To Do In Uzbekistan
Planning a trip to Uzbekistan? Then you’re certainly in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you all about the Asian country’s most famous attractions.
Ancient cities, spectacular natural landmarks, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites are all included in this guide to the top things to do in Uzbekistan. Read on to learn most about the fascinating country in Central Asia, and see which landmarks and attractions you need to visit during your trip!
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Elliq-Qala Fortresses
Eliq-Qala translates from Uzbek to fifty fortresses, and it’s the perfect description of the impressive castles that can be observed in the Khwarezm desert oasis. What used to be a rather fertile valley once, today is a testament to the incredibly rich history of this fascinating country.
Some 20 ruin sites have been discovered in the desert up until today, but there’s still a possibility of discovering even more of them. Eliq-Qala is one of the largest and most exciting archaeological sites in Uzbekistan and wider, and new tunnels and structures are being unearthed fairly often. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely a place you should try to visit when you’re in Uzbekistan.
The closest cities to the desert ruins are Urgench, Nukus, and Khiva. It’s best to explore the desert sites on a day trip with experienced local guides since tourists can easily lose their way in the vast desert.
Nuratau Mountains
Nuratau Mountains are part of the Gissar Range that runs through Central Asia. The mountain range is predominantly composed of limestone and sandstone, with a flat and sleep northern slope and a much gentler southern slope.
The Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve was established in the mountain range, to preserve and protect the varied landscapes and biodiversity of the region. Supposedly, this Uzbekistan reserve is the only place on the planet where Severtsov wild sheep can be found in the wild, plus there are also other flora and fauna unique to this ecosystem.
The best way to discover the Nuratau Mountains is to stay in a village cabin for a few days. You’ll get to know the locals and see their way of life, far away from the bigger cities. Explore the trekking and hiking trails, discover small lakes and rivers, and admire the gorgeous landscape views – that’s the major appeal of Uzbekistan’s Nuratau Mountains.
Islamic Architecture at Khast Imam
Khast Imam is the spiritual heart of Uzbekistan’s capital and it’s an important place to visit if you want to understand the city’s culture and tradition. The vast square is situated in Tashkent’s old town, and it includes quite a few fascinating architectural landmarks.
Most of the buildings at the religious complex were renovated in 2007, which returned the Hazrati Imam complex to its old glory. It’s once again a beautiful place to visit in the heart of Uzbekistan’s capital, and it’s now home to some gorgeous Islamic architecture and not just dilapidated structures.
The Hazrati Imam complex is famous for being home to the oldest Quran in the world. It’s in the Muyi Mubarak Library and it’s estimated to be from the 8th century. The sacred book is so old that only a third of it still remains, but it’s still a fascinating sight, particularly for Muslims.
Ride the High-Speed Trains
Uzbekistan is a very large country so it makes sense that there are hundreds of kilometers of high-speed railways throughout the country. It’s the quickest and most convenient way of traveling between the larger cities, which are often separated by deserts or dramatic mountains.
If you want to discover Uzbekistan, a train journey is by far the best way of doing so. It’s a lot faster than driving on your own and much cheaper than flying, plus it allows you to discover parts of the country that you might have missed out on otherwise.
Also, it’s worth noting that all the silk road cities are linked by train, so you can easily travel from place to place and discover more about the ancient trade route.
Trek in Chimgan
Chimgan is a tourist skiing complex northeast of Uzbekistan. The isolated mountain village is situated some 1,600 meters above sea level, in the Tian Shan mountain range. It’s a great place for skiing in the winter, but if you’re visiting in the warmer months, you’ll have the opportunity of discovering the numerous hiking trails in the mountains surrounding this town.
The resort town is even nicknamed “Uzbek Switzerland” because it’s very similar to the many ski resorts and villages in the European country. It’s not quite as opulent and famous, but it’s hard not to notice the resemblance.
The best time to go hiking in Chingan is between March and November after the ski season ends. You can visit the Ugam-Chatkal national park, explore the impressive mountain villages of the area, and just admire the incredibly scenic views while you’re there.
Kolkouz Canal
The Kolkouz Canal is locally known as Tashkent’s Venice. It leads all the way to the Khast Imam Square at the heart of the city, and it offers rare insight into what old Tashkent looked like.
It’s possible to walk along the canal and that’s one of the best ways to explore this part of the city. You’ll see all the narrow alleyways, the old houses with tall walls, and a rundown Lada parked every few steps.
The best thing about the Kolkouz Canal is that it’s mostly deserted. It’s a great place to run away from the crowds that are common in the busier parts of Tashkent, as well as a unique place to discover in this fascinating city.
The Savitsky Museum in Nukus
The Nukus Museum of Art, or the Savitsky Museum as it’s locally known, is a museum with the second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde art in the world with more than 82,000 items in the collection. The Guardian even called it the Louvre of Uzbekistan, so it’s easy to see why this iconic museum is one of the top attractions in the country.
The museum was established back in 1966 by Igor Savitsky, and it originally displayed the various archaeological finds from Karakalpakstan. Savitsky, the then museum curator, personally collected most of the items that made up the museum’s original collection, and he was inspired to develop the museum even more. Savitsky started purchasing artworks by famous Russian artists influenced by Central Asia, but they were displayed only after the curator’s passing.
Nowadays, the Nukus Art Museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world thanks to the sizeable art collection of Igor Savitsky. Its unique collection is astounding, making this popular museum the best destination for all art lovers in Uzbekistan.
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and the most populous city in all of Central Asia. It’s situated in northeastern Uzbekistan, close to the Kazakhstan border, and it’s best known for the mix of modern and Soviet-era architecture and its numerous museums.
Uzbekistan’s largest city is home to countless fascinating attractions, and it will take more than a few days to properly explore it. The ancient city boasts gorgeous architecture, beautiful parks, impressive mosques, and an imposing city square, most of which are a testament to its Soviet past.
The impressing capital is also home to so many museums that you’ll be lucky if you have enough time to visit just a few of them. The Museum of Applied Arts is great if you want to see some beautiful and rare jewelry, handmade embroidery, and all other sorts of traditional artworks. There’s also the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, which is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about the incredibly rich history of this country.
Head to the Central Asian Plov Center, a restaurant near the Memorial to the Victims of Repression in Tashkent, to try some delicious local dishes and get to know the flavors and staples of the local Uzbek cuisine.
See What Remains of The Aral Sea
Once upon a time, the Aral Sea was a huge body of water shared between Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries. Two rivers feed into the sea and local residents created dams to irrigate the land surrounding the rivers, without even considering the consequences. Over time the sea began to shrank and nowadays it’s mostly disappeared.
The thing is, once upon a time was in the 1960s and it only took 40 years for one of the world’s largest lakes to dry up. Nobody foresaw that diverting the water for irrigation would lead to an ecological catastrophe and some efforts are in place to try and replenish the Aral Sea.
Go and see one of the lakes that remains from the once-great sea, and definitely travel to Muynak. The desert town is known as a ship graveyard – it used to be a seaport on the Aral Sea and today it’s 150 kilometers from the nearest body of water.
Khovrenko Wine Cellar
Samarkand is home to many fascinating sights but few are as intriguing as the Khovrenko Wine Cellar. It’s a museum of wine-making, but the museum part of the complex is the smallest.
It’s almost like a time capsule – head into the wine cellar and you’re instantly transported more than a century in the past. Visitors can also opt for wine-tasting, which is a great opportunity to taste some of the best local wines.
The wine cellar dates back to 1917 and some of the wines inside are more than 50 years old. It’s definitely a testament to the city’s rich history, but also such a unique experience that might just be the highlight of your trip to Samarkand.
Gur e Amir
Gur e Amir is a massive religious complex in Samarkand. It’s the mausoleum of Timur, the Turko-Mongol conqueror, as well as one of the most significant representations of Central Asian Architecture.
The vast complex features not only the tomb of the conqueror but also of his sons and grandsons. There’s even a tomb with Sayyid Baraka, Timur’s teacher, and it has a special place at the complex.
The entire complex dates back to the early 15th century and it has influenced the architecture of many buildings throughout Asia. The most notable details at the mausoleum are the ornate carvings and the many mosaics, and it’s worth noting that you can discover the complex on your own for the most part. Although there are guides you can hire on-site, this isn’t really necessary to explore Gur e Amir.
Fergana Valley
Fergana Valley is situated in the easternmost area of Uzbekistan. The vast mountain valley is home to some incredibly fertile soil, most of which sits along the Kara Darya and Naryn rivers. The fertile valley is special because the ancient silk road passed through here, and countless workshops still exist in the area.
The small town of Risthan is known all over the world for its ceramics, mostly because it is built on very high-quality clay. There are several pottery workshops throughout the city, and they’re a great way of learning more about the different cultures and traditions of Uzbekistan.
There’s also the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan, a city right in the heart of the valley. Visit the factory to see exactly how silk is produced – it’s an experience you can’t have in many other countries in the world.
Kokand city is also worth visiting in the valley. It’s home to the gorgeous 19th-century Juma Mosque and Khan Palace. Both attractions are a testament to the town’s great history and are just gorgeous to observe.
Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent
Chorsu Bazaar is a historic market in Tashkent’s old town. It’s the best place in the city to go shopping for local goods, especially if you’re looking for spices, souvenirs, or fresh produce.
The large market is situated underneath a blue dome and it’s a pretty interesting sight. All the stalls with vendors are inside and it’s quite reminiscent of the ancient merchants and traders of Uzbekistan.
It really is an homage to the tradition and influence of the Silk Road, plus it’s where you’ll get the best deals on all the local and homemade stuff.
Travel to Khiva
Khiva is a relatively small city in Uzbekistan, but it’s still one of the prettiest and most important places in the country. It’s situated in the northwest of the country, close to the border with Turkmenistan.
This incredible city was first established more than 1,500 years ago, and it functioned as the capital quite a few times. It’s also home to the first of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uzbekistan – the Itchan Khala, which is the walled inner city within Khiva.
The walled city is considered Khiva’s old town and it’s a spectacular sight. It has more than 250 old houses and 50 historic monuments, most of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The foundations of the old city were laid sometime in the 10th century, but the walls that currently exist in Itchan Khala are most from the 17th century.
Walk around the city’s old town, explore the museums and landmarks, and be sure to take in all the stunning views. Also, be on the lookout for tourist guides – most of them aren’t legit, and you can easily discover this fabulous town without the help of a local.
Kyzylkum Desert
Kyzylkum Desert is the 15th of the largest deserts in the world and its name translates to Red Sand. It’s divided between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and it spans an area of approximately 298,000 km2.
The vast desert is situated at the edge of the most popular tourist destinations in Uzbekistan, so arranging to spend a day or two exploring it should be fairly easy. You can combine the trip to Kyzylkum Desert with a trip to the Nuratau Mountains and experience the spectacular contrast of Uzbekistan’s varied relief for yourself.
One of the most popular ways of discovering the Kyzylkum Desert is by visiting the yurt camp close to the Aidarkul lake. You can stay in one of the yurts at the camp but plan to do it between March and May or September and October, otherwise, the weather will ruin your experience.
Other popular activities in the Kyzylkum Desert include birdwatching, camel treks, and the Sarmysh petroglyphs.
Islam Khodja Minaret
Islam Khodja Minaret is Khiva’s most recognizable landmark and a popular tourist attraction. It’s the tallest of all the minarets in the city, and it boasts an observation deck near the top.
If you want to experience some magical panoramic views, you’ll want to climb to the top of this 56.6-meter minaret. There are about 20 steps to reach the base of the minaret and then an additional 95 steps inside. Some of the steps are very steep, but at least there’s plenty of light to see where you are going.
The area at the top of the minaret is quite small and it can’t really fit more than eight people. Get there early in the morning for the best views and you might just have the place to yourself.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
