10 reasons to visit Uzbekistan
Brussels Express was in Uzbekistan last April in the framework of the 5th annual international Uzbek tourism fair. We were surprise with what we saw.
Unfortunately, if you wish to visit Tashkent, you don’t have a direct connection from Brussels. We choose to travel from Paris directly to Tashkent. The other option is to travel from Frankfurt. In total you should count 11 hours from Brussels to Tashkent. Long trip but it’s definitely worth it.
Reason n°1: Joy and hospitality
Reason n°2 – The Uzbek cuisine
Reason n°3 – Shopping in Bazaars
We strongly recommend to visit the Chor-Su bazaar in Tashkent. It is not only the largest one but also the oldest. Chor-Su has been known since the time when the Great Silk Road passed through Tashkent. Located at the heart of the Old City, under the bright turquoise dome, it’s the place of sale of a wide variety of spices, fruits and vegetables.
Reason n°4 – Religious freedom
Respect de la diversité religieuse en Ouzbékistan.
Publié par António Buscardini sur mercredi 12 avril 2017
Reason n°5 – Broadway from Tashkent
Saligokh Street, known locally as ‘Broadway’, has some street artists and painters, who display their original artworks. There are many shopping centers, fashion shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés located on and around the Broadway from Tashkent. Here you may also pick up some handmade crafts and bric-a-bracs.
Reason n°6 – A glimpse of Soviet architecture
Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1966, while the country was under Soviet rule. 300,000 people were left homeless, but with matchless Soviet muscle the entire city was rebuilt and restored – indeed, it is said that construction work started the day after the quake. The most emblematic soviet building is the first hotel in Uzbekistan named…Hotel Uzbekistan.
Reason n°7 – Samarkand, Samarkand, Samarkand
Leaving Tashkent you have to pass by Samarkand. It is mandatory. This city is the same age as Ancient Rome, and has been destroyed several times. The city has witnessed the invading forces of Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. But, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, this city always bounced back. Samarkand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan, and is more than 2,700 years old. Founded in 700 BC by the Sogdians, it has been the capital of several different empires. Some scholars say its name means « rich city », others « a place where people meet », and in Persian it’s known as « the stone city. »
Check out this show about Samarkand produced by our colleagues from Euronews.
Reason n°8 – Khiva
Shiva is a truly open air museum. While visiting Khiva you become a witness of the real oriental fairy tale by getting lost in the quaint lanes that lead to the minarets and domes of amazing beauty. Poets and philosophers who lived or visited Khiva called it once the “the World’s 8th wonder”.
Reason n°9 – Termez
Termez is located on the right bank of the Amu Darya river bordering Afghanistan. The city evolved throughout the history on different places around the modern city, reflecting multiple cultural layers depicted in remains of historical sites.The cultural heritage that was developed from the inception of the city was completely destroyed by Genghis-Khan in 1220, after the city refused to surrender peacefully. A new city was erected to the east of the old town. Rui Gonzales de Klaviho, the ambassador sent by Castilian King Henry III to Amir Temur, gave the best description of this new town: « entering the city, we were going so long crossing squares and crowded streets that we came home tired and angry.
Reason n°10 – Cost of living
From Brussels to Tashkent you will have to spend around 500€. However once on the spot, it’s definitely a good deal.
- Full meal for 2 persons in mid-range Restaurant: 16€
- Domestic beer: 0,90€
- Soda: 0,70€
- Water: 0,28€
- Fuel: 0,62€/liter
- Taxi: 0,25€/1km – be aware that to start you will pay 1€
- Pack of cigarettes: 2,25€
