Uzbekistan’ legacy of the Great Silk Road

The Tale of Three Cities

Home to spellbinding architectural marvels, mesmerizing ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva the Pearls of the Great Silk Road steeped with oldworld charm and exotic culture that is inspirational as well as profound, Uzbekistan is a fascinating country to visit. Travellers get to experience first-hand the other-worldly beauty of this Pearl of the East first hand. 

Uzbekistan has been the cradle ofculture for over two millennia and being at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road has deeply infused all aspects of daily life. The country is dotted with enthralling and awe-inspiring architectural wonders that are a photographers delight. Deeply entrenched in culture, history and religion, cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent, Khiva and Urgench will surely elicit goose bumps in sheer beauty and magnificence.

Custom designed for the intrepid travellers, Uzbekistan travel agencies can offer an itinerary of seven days that not only introduced this exotic country, but also helped understand its history and soak in its beauty.

From Khiva, a road trip of 550 km to Bukhara via Kyzyl-Kum desert along the Caravan road will be one of the highlights of the trip. The exotic landscapes of the undulating desert with roaming camels, nomadic yurts and Amudarya (Oxus) River is a sight to behold. Once in Bukhara, tourists can soak in the old-worldly charm of this more than 2500-year-old ancient city and another World Heritage Site. Dotted with madrasahs, minarets, huge royal fortress and the remnants of a once-vast market complex, tourists can visit centuries 1,500 year-old fortress complex Citadel Ark , Samanides Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Nodir Devanbeghi Madrasah, Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Poyi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great) - religious heart of sacred Bukhara that consists of Minaret Kalon (45 meters), Kalon Mosque and Miri Arab Madrasah. From Bukhara, a short one hour drive by speedy train “Afrosiyab” (Spanish Talgo bullet train) will take tourists to the Uzbekistan’s glorious city of more than 2,500 year-old Samarkand, one of the most breath-taking places to visit in the world and ancient city that stand witness to names which you know through your history books. Samarkand is the second largest city (after Tashkent - capital) and in 2001 was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures.

Once the centre of Islamic studies, it became the capital of Timur’s Empire in the 14th century.

At Samarkand, Guri Emir Mausoleum - Tamerlane’s Tomb (14- 15th cc.), Afrosiyab Museum, Ulugbek Observatory (15th c.), Architectural Complex Shakhi-Zinda (11-15th cc.), Bibi-Khanum Mosque are on the list of must-see places. The city’s long, rich history work their magic on visitors and keep them mesmerised, giving visitors a feeling of going back in time.

Back to Tashkent by high speed train “Afrosiyab”, the capital city is the power seat of Uzbekistan. A jumble of contradictions that’s well worth exploring, Tashkent has some of best places in the country for letting hair down and enjoying a carefree night. From some of the best multi-cuisine restaurants, museums and nightlife, Tashkent also has places in the old part of town that can be explored.

Khazrati Imam Complex consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Muyi-Mubarak Mosque - storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of Prophet Muhammad; Djuma Mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali are well worth a visit. The new part of town built in the last few decades has other delights which give deep insight into modern Uzbekistan such as the Independence Square, New Tashkent City, Museum of Applied Arts and Alisher Navoi Theatre Square.

Just a short drive from Tashkent, the Chimgan Mountains is a great escape into the country’s natural landscape with scenic valleys and villages tucked in between. Biting into a juicy apple, straight from the street vendor, and feeling the crisp mountain air is a pleasure beyond words. This is also the country’s ski-zone, drawing large number of tourists.

‘Away from the teeming streets of Singapore, Uzbekistan seems a world apart, cocooned in the heart of Central Asia. Remnants of a fascinating past, the Oriental mystique of caravanserais, the time-less cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, combined with modern Tashkent it is like a Magic Carpet Ride,” says Aaron Stewart, from Sports+Travel Magazine, Singapore, who travelled to Uzbekistan with photographer Eugene Soh.

For tourists from Singapore, Uzbekistan, wrapped in millennia of mystery. From soaring mountains to the grassy steppe, from deserts to the valleys, it covers almost all types of terrain. In addition to the natural beauty, what takes your breath away is the feeling of going back in time, almost 3000 years.

Tourist security measures introduced in Uzbekistan during COVID-19

From March 15, 2021, the procedure for mandatory express testing at the entrance to the country has been canceled in Uzbekistan under decision of the special Government Task Force to combat of COVID-19.

For all citizens entering Uzbekistan through airports, railway and checkpoints, it is only necessary to have a certificate with a negative PCR test for Covid-19 in English or Russian, made within 72 hours before checking in for an airplane or train.

Visitors from other countries will be admitted to Uzbekistan without express testing if a negative PCR test for coronavirus is obtained in laboratories that meet quality standards.

The list of laboratories abroad, the results of which are recognized in Uzbekistan.

New decree

On June 19, 2020, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a Decree “On additional measures for the development of the tourism sector with strict observance of the requirements of the enhanced sanitary and epidemiological safety regime”.

This important for the country’s economy document supports the domestic tourism industry and confirms that Uzbekistan is ready to open to the world as the safest tourist destination.

Here are the main measures providing a comfortable and safe stay of tourists in Uzbekistan:

Safe travel is guaranteed

In order to create a safe environment for tourists, Uzbekistan has launched the project “Uzbekistan. Safe travel GUARANTEED”. The project is a new system of sanitary and epidemiological safety for tourists based on the world standards. In other words, you will be able to travel around the country as safely as possible – the unified requirements of sanitary and hygienic standards are introduced at all tourist sites.

According to the new Decree, a whole set of measures for the safe stay of tourists in Uzbekistan is being developed. For example, if a foreign tourist catches COVID-19 while traveling in Uzbekistan, up to $ 3,000 compensation will be allocated for his or her treatment.

The program for development of medical tourism in Uzbekistan, “Uzbekistan – hope and healing land”, is also being developed. This project will systematize and expand the types of medical services provided to the citizens of foreign countries. The unified list of all health facilities that foreign tourists can receive during the pandemic will be created.

 “Open Sky” Regime

From August 1, 2020, “the fifth freedom of the air” will be established at the airports of Andijan, Bukhara and Urgench cities of Uzbekistan. All restrictions on the number of flights and destinations are removed. This mode is introduced for 3 years inclusive.

The opening of the tourist zones

Nowadays, the work is carried out to improve the infrastructure and readiness to receive new tourists during the pandemic in the free tourist zone “Charvak" (mountain area), zones in the Navoi, Bukhara Jizzakh (in particular in the Zaamin district) regions. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Uzbekistan will monitor the activities of these zones during the pandemic and conduct studies of nature protection zones, reservoirs and forests.

“Uzbekistan – my second home” 

Uzbekistan is developing a new immigration visa “Uzbekistan – my second home”. The visa is granted to persons with high income, high academic knowledge, good life skills and abilities.

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