Uzbekistan tours - An Overview
The Kalyan Minaret (Great Tower of Bukhara) was built in 1127 and used as a light house for caravans, to call the people to prayer and to warn of enemy approach. The summer residence of Bukhara Emir (King) Sitorai Mohi Khosa (The Palace of Moon and Stars) is located just outside the city.
Hundreds of ancient scholars called Bukhara residence. Abu Ali ibn Sino (Avicenna), Imam al Bukhari, Abdulkholik Gijduvani, Bahouddin Nakshband and various other scholars made wonderful contributions to world civilization. Every year, individuals from around the globe concerned make an expedition at the burial places of the 7 pirs (holy men). Thus, Bukhara is described as Bukhoroi Sharif - Holy Bukhara. In Might the annual Silk and also Seasoning Celebration is held below. Craftsmen and also tourists by the thousands concern this celebration from throughout the globe to display their merchandises and commemorate the occasion. The parade participants in traditional dress stroll from the Ark castle - the wintertime royal residence of the emirs (constructed in the first century, where great scholars and poets also lived), to the Lyabi Hauz ensemble, along the Shahristan (old part of the city) as well as with the conventional trade domes. There are three trade domes in Bukhara: one initially for cash changers, another for books and fur-caps, and also jewelry in the last. The celebration not only showcases craftsmens, but there are concert efficiencies, display screens, shish kabab as well as pilaf sellers, singers, professional dancers - a real vacation environment.
Nowadays Bukhara is one of the centres of science, craftsmanship, spirituality and tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Traditional fine arts are important in Bukhara: wood carving, jewellery making, copper chasing and elaborate embroidery. Magok means "on a pit", and one can see the ground level of old Bukhara under the stairs in the mosque.
All Bukhara markets are busy as well as colorful. You will certainly be attracted by the scents and flavours of local meals and produce, the colors and materials of nationwide clothes and also ornaments and the beauty of hand-made rugs, suzanas as well as gold needlework.
Hospitality preponderates right here as well as dishes are no exception. Outdoor restaurants or chaikhanas (tea residences) are preferred with both residents and also travelers. Establish around a 17th-century reservoir Lyabi-Hauz uses lunch under the mulberry trees. Right here is a possibility to taste hearty Uzbek meals such as plov - pilau rice, shashlik - crackling brochettes of meat as well as lagman, a noodle-based meat as well as vegetable stew. National folklore and Fashion shows are held in the evening during supper in the Devonbegi madrassa close by. On your means to this madrassa you will certainly pass a monument to the Uzbek national hero Nasriddin Afandi -the Uzbek Robin Hood.
Relax in a real Uzbek hammam. The 14th century Hamman Bozori Kord is the world's oldest operating bathhouse and provides sauna bath and muscle massages on a heated platform. Use your leisure time at the Bukhara hippodrome watching Uzbek nationwide video games. One can see auto racing as well as kupkari - competition on horseback.
The roads leading to Bukhara from both Khiva and Shahrisabz travel through the Kyzil Kum (red sand) desert. Below is a chance to experience life in the desert, to ride on camels, stay in yurts and listen to the songs of national entertainers. 40 kilometres from the city is the "Jeyran" (Middle Asian gazelle) Nature book. Right here are located jeyrans, onagers, Przhevalsk horses, cheetas and bustards, as well as a number of threatened plants. The small lakes of the get are abundant in fish as well as wild birds.
Bukhara is a contrast of the modern-day as well as the conventional - a delight to the tourist.
The Silk Road, Moghuls, Alexander the Great - you would certainly never assume that all these historical areas, turning points, and individualities have actually influenced and also really lived in the Main Oriental region and also Uzbekistan particularly. You 'd probably remember India, Afghanistan, Persia, yet never Uzbekistan. Mind you, the first of Moghuls - Babur - was birthed in what now is called Fergana Valley in contemporary Uzbekistan. The legendary Taj Mahal was constructed by a direct offspring of Babur that, you guessed it right, was birthed "in Uzbekistan". There's a ton of history in this diverse land and most Uzbeks are very proud of it.
Well, because we began in Fergana valley, which is absolutely the least exciting location to visit if you are seeking visual signs, let's have a look at who lives here currently as well as whether an interested tourist will certainly discover something of a passion.
For starters, excavators will drool over the excavation in Kuva, a little village some 20 miles SW of Andijan (birth area of Babur, remember him?). This excavation is rather slow-moving, it actually began some 50 years back, yet its relevance is hard not to observe. Archaeologists dug out a 7-8th century Buddhist holy place there! It definitely does not look near to spectacular, yet the adjacent gallery informs lots of intriguing stories as well as presents a good variety of ancient artifacts.
Nearby Andijan is a dusty tense city full of merchants, huge markets and the only automobile manufacturing plant in the whole of Central Asia. Daewoo was acquired by Chevrolet so this facility manufactures local versions of older Chevys and rebadged Daewoos. On a positive note, Andijan has a great artisan's corner located in the middle of local market.
Fergana valley is named after Fergana city. Locals proudly call it "Pearl of the East" and Wikipedia describes it as "orderly tree-shaded avenues and attractive blue-washed 19th century tsarist colonial-style houses" and that "the city has a distinctly different feel from most Uzbek cities".
On your way back to Tashkent (about 250 miles NE, 4-5 hours of crazy driving on a two lane highway, one 2000m mountain pass), which most likely be with a private driver, you will pass through Rishtan and Kokand. They have good reasons: their ceramics and pottery are unique and all hand-made. You can't compare this style with Delftware, but they are pretty good too.
We are in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital. This will be the last least exciting place with a weird mixture of modern steel and glass architecture and Soviet era apartment buildings.
Typically all visitors arrive in this country through Tashkent international airport and a good first impression is NOT what this airport is famous for. Absolutely disorganized lines, two-three passport control officers in tiny arrivals hall, very slow customs that seem to pick on every local who arrives back from abroad. Granted, they bring a ton of stuff with them, and customs gets very "excited" when they seen a Moscow arrival. You 'd need to fill out customs papers on arrival and please keep that precious document with you until you leave the country. Make certain you declare everything valuable you bring in the country and be particularly careful about cash. Under no circumstance you'll be allowed to leave Uzbekistan with more cash than you declared on arrival. Good thing, that airport and its reality is not what Uzbekistan is about. The country has its problems, but it's a very interesting place to explore.
This story started in Fergana valley, but the typical tourist route will take you west of Tashkent first.
One of three true gems you'll find in this country. 150 miles of a neat highway will get you to Samarkand, a now heavily restored and clean city with a 2500 years of history. Please visit one of many informative travel websites to read detailed stories about Samarkand (and all other places of interest) before you arrive.
Once you've visited each and every mosque, mausoleum and market in Samarkand (this might take a couple of days), your trip will likely take you to Bukhara, a surprisingly different city! You 'd expect the same but you 'd be wrong! Architectural marvel and the best place to experience warm hospitality of locals. By the way, a few words about the people: they are poor, especially in the rural areas, but very friendly and treat each tourist as the most welcome guest. You will easily make friends with your guide, car or bus driver, hotel staff and each and every artist you'll meet in this country.
In addition to two dozen of world class 2000 years old architectural monuments, Bukhara is famous for family run inns and bed & breakfasts. If you want a total immersion in the local culture, please stay in one of many private B&B s/Inns.
When you are done with Bukhara and still have a few days of your vacation left, never hesitate to head to Khiva - a true masterpiece of architecture, culture and history. You 'd hate the road if you decide to drive, but the destination is totally worth it. Again, read about this place before you go (this website is a good example), and make sure you have your camera with you. You will be rewarded with living inside the walls of UNESCO world heritage site as one of the hotels used to be a religious read more school in 19th century!
The majority of tourists head back to Tashkent right after Khiva and a short flight would be a good choice. Uzbekistan has its own national airline and the airplanes are usually well maintained and comfortable.
If ancient and exotic cultures are your "thing" you 'd be pleasantly surprised in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan actually offers more than just historic monuments and 2000 years old cities. Eco-tourism is big and well supported, trekking is one of the best out there, you can even go skiing - but that's another story yet to be told.