Uzbekistan is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world, eager to experience its rich cultural heritage, unique architecture and spectacular landscape.
Eleonora Radjabova, a professional guide in Uzbekistan since 2007, spoke to TCA about her own favorite locations and provided tips on how to make the most of your trip to her country.
photo: elya.uz.guide – Eleonora Radjabova
TCA: What are your personal favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan?
My favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan highlight the diversity and richness of the natural environment and cultural experiences my country has to offer.
I especially love Bukhara for its ancient historical heritage and architectural masterpieces. Walking through the narrow streets and markets of this medieval city is a unique and immersive experience filled with dazzling, iconic monuments at every turn.
photo: TCA -Bukhara
For those wishing a flavor of Uzbekistan’s landscape, I recommend Chimgan and Amirsoy, both within easy reach of Tashkent.
Chimgan, set in the Ugam Chatkal National Park and 85 kilometers from the city, is perfect for an active vacation. Sometimes known as ‘Uzbek Switzerland’ with mountains rising to 3309m above sea level, Chimgan has facilities for various extreme sports. In winter, it operates as a ski-resort whilst in summer, paragliding provides an exhilarating experience and breath-taking views of the terrain from high in the air. Apart from being ideal for day-trippers, the resort which specializes in eco-tourism, offers a wide range of accommodation for longer stays.
photo: skipedia.ru -Chimgan
Amirsoy, just 65 kilometers from Tashkent, offers an easily accessible respite from city life. Flanked by the Chaktal Ridge and Tian Shan mountains, its beautiful rolling landscape offers numerous trails for hiking and walking, alongside spas and pools.
photo: Uzbek Travel -Amirsoy
Lake Aidarkul, a unique oasis of sorts in the Kyzylkum Desert, is another of my favorite places to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation. It is especially beautiful in August when people come to its shores to enjoy the sunset then gaze at the starry sky. A natural wilderness and home to rare species of birds as well as pelicans, herons, geese and black storks, the area is a mecca for birdwatchers. Visitors can also experience a unique taste of nomadic life by embarking on a trip through the desert on camels – “ships of the desert”- to spend a night in a yurt.
photo:adantour.com -Lake Aidarkul
TCA: Why are these places and activities especially dear to you?
These places and activities recharge my vigor, positively influence my mood, and I return to the city, to my work, with new ideas and impressions.
TCA: What tips can you offer tourists to get the most out of their visit?
It’s all about forward planning!
I recommend determining in advance, aspects of the country which interest you most -historical monuments, culture, nature, cuisine -to help pick a tour tailored to your preferences.
Make a list of places you want to visit, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent and their key sites (Registan, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, ancient madrassas, etc.).
Sightseeing can be both exhausting and overwhelming, especially when visiting multiple attractions, so allow time for rest and relaxation.
Allow for a degree of flexibility and be prepared for unforeseen changes to your plans in response to new and interesting suggestions from your guide. Explore the logistics of your proposed travel plan, and to avoid unnecessary stress and delays if you have signed up for a tour, ensure that you understand how transportation, routes, and travel times between and within cities and attractions will be organized. The same applies to services provided – breaks, food, entrance fees etc.- and details regarding the duration of visits to specific attractions.
To make your visit to sights more meaningful, it is useful to either read up or consult your guide on the cultural or historical context of sights, and to heed local recommendations concerning restaurants, markets, cultural events etc.
Taking notes and photographs will trigger memories of what you have seen as well as help you plan return visits or future trips.
Last but not least, be open to spontaneity for this can often lead to the most memorable aspects of your vacation!
Photo :TCA – Traditional Uzbek Ceramics
TCA: How has Uzbekistan’s tourist industry changed in recent years?
There have been several notable changes and improvements in our tourism industry.
Infrastructure: The country continues to actively develop its tourism infrastructure and services. New hotels have been built, airports have been modernized, and transportation between cities and attractions has much improved.
Visas: Uzbekistan has simplified its visa regime for citizens of many countries, which contributes to the increase in tourists. Electronic visas and visa-free regimes for citizens of some countries have also been introduced.
Promotion of cultural heritage: Programs to promote Uzbekistan’s cultural and historical heritage are constantly being developed and the inclusion of sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List in tandem with organized cultural events, have had a significant impact on our volume of tourists.
Improvement of tourist services: New service standards have been introduced alongside better training and education of tourism workers, including guides and managers.
Development of tourist routes: New routes and excursions have been opened, including little-known regions of the country, such as mountainous areas or historical villages, allowing tourists to discover new corners of Uzbekistan.
Increased international cooperation: Cooperation with international tourism organizations and agencies has proved invaluable in promoting the country’s image and its profile as a tourist destination.
Investment in digitization: The introduction of digital technologies such as online booking, mobile apps for tourists and virtual tours, facilitates access to information and services.
Environmental and cultural heritage preservation: Uzbekistan is beginning to pay more attention to sustainable tourism development, including environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation.
TCA: What features of Uzbekistan’s culture and traditions most surprise and impress tourists?
The culture and traditions of Uzbekistan have many unique features that often surprise our guests.
One of such, is hospitality. Uzbek people are known for their sincere and warm hospitality and tourists are repeatedly amazed at how locals accept them like close friends, offering food, drinks and assistance without expecting anything in return.
I have also noticed that with little foreknowledge of Uzbek cuisine, tourists are surprised and impressed by its variety and rich flavors. Plov (or “pilov”), samsa, lagman and kebab are just some of the dishes that leave a lasting impression.
Uzbekistan’s vibrant and colorful markets and bazaars, such as Chorsu in Tashkent and Sultan Uvais in Bukhara, are magnets for tourists. Filled with exotic aromas and locally crafted ceramics, carpets, embroidery, and textiles, they epitomize for many, a romantic sense of the orient.
Traditional folk dances and music played on age-old instruments such as the dutar, fascinate visitors to the country, as are rites and rituals attached to national holidays such as Navruz (the Persian New Year), and weddings, which demonstrate our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Although well documented on websites and the media, visitors never fail to be awestruck when experiencing, first-hand, examples of Uzbekistan’s unique Islamic architecture and the majestic tiled madrassas, mosques and mausoleums of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
Photo: TCA -Plov
TCA: What particular customs should tourists respect ?
Foreigners often make common mistakes that jar with Uzbek culture and jeopardize harmonious interaction with locals. Here are some points, which as a guide, I include in a pre-tour talk to help clients understand and respect local customs and traditions:
Dress code: Religious and cultural places such as mosques and madrasas, require modest dress, so to avoid being turned away, tourist should dress appropriately and women are advised to carry a scarf to cover their heads and bare shoulders.
Photography and Social Boundaries : Taking pictures of people without their permission or showing excessive curiosity in locals, is considered rude and an invasion of privacy. Visitors should also respect personal boundaries especially when using non-verbal gestures such as hugging or patting, which may be perceived as inappropriate.
Offensive behavior: Talking loudly, smoking, touching artefacts and littering are generally deemed disrespectful in religious and historic sights.
Hospitality and table manners: Offers of food and drinks to outsiders is of important cultural significance and should be welcomed rather than refused. Tourists should likewise, accept food in the order served by their Uzbek hosts and follow suit regarding the use of their hands.
I hope these tips will help readers maximize their time in Uzbekistan and make their trips exciting and fulfilling.
