"Uzbekistan-The Silk Road Wonder" Top 5 Page for this destination Uzbekistan by johnsakura

Uzbekistan Travel Guide: 1,922 reviews and 4,563 photos

Photographer Labi-Hauz Bukhara Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a wonderful place to visit in Central Asia. In terms of historical sites, this is by fact the richest country in the entire region. This country holds a very important place in the emblematic Silk Road and both Samarkand and Bukhara are a must while visiting it. Uzbekistan sees itself as the most important country in the former Soviet Central Asian republics and along with its Big Boss, President Islam Karimov makes a very strong hand over the country politics and civilian laws.

Uzbekistan suffered several incursions by several different empires starting to make part of some old Persian regions, On the 4th century BC, Alexander the Great came and actually married in Samarkand with a girl named Roxana. After came a small contact with Buddhim in the Kushan dynasty and again a small and brief return of Persian power under the Sassanians. Ater the Western Turks that came down from the northern steps, came Islam with the Arabs on the 8th century but who didn’t stay for long. Persian power came back again for the 3rd time now with the Samanid dynasty in the 9th and 10th century which turned Bukhara the capital of the empire. The Great Genghis Khan came to destroy late in the 13th century. Was only after all this that Uzbekistan came to be central in the region and due to the Timur empire became a very important outpost for the huge route of the Silk Road. In the late 18th century the country started its first contacts with Russia and since then became more and more in the hands of the Lords from the North.

Apart of the well known South historical cities, there are a lot to be seen and explored to the North heading Fergana Valey. Little lakes, and big mountains are very nice to visit on the Northern part of the country.

Samarkand-Jewel of the Silk Road

Registan Square, Uzbekistan

Samarkand is inside everyone imaginary to be distant, exotic and full of poetic mystery.
This city already held a important place in the region and is in fact one of the oldest Central Asia settlements coming as far as the 5th century BC. Alexander the Great arrived in 329BC and said that the city Marakanda’s was even better then he actually thought. Samarkand became capital of Timur Empire in 1370 was during 37 years a huge and important economic and cultural centre. All its present day historical monuments are by the hand of himself Timur, his grandson Ulugbek and the Uzbek Shaybanids.
On the picture you have the magestic registan Square.

Char Minar

Buchara, Char Minar

This amazing small monument is called "Char Minar" because it has 4 minarets is located in Bukhara city. This little monument taken in 1998 by UNESCO to be recovered was in fact a gate of a ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more contact with Indian Art styles than t o local art itself.
Its name comes from Tajik although the towers you can see are not actually minarets but simply decorative towers.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Nice historic monuments, Bukhara, Registan Square Samarkand
Cons:Political situation on the country
In a nutshell:Great Silk Road Experience

Last visit to Uzbekistan: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Jun 1, 2007
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Reviews (63)

Deal your prices Tourist Traps (5)

You can be overcharged in prices in hostels and shops. If you are patiee and be calm, aks for lower prices and you... more travel advice

Long trip buses Tourist Traps (5)

When getting a bus place often people over charge you. so ask people before you actually go and by the ticket. Many time... more travel advice

Subway in Tashkent Tourist Traps (5)

Before you go down the stairs in the subway you have to be checked by the police. you have to pass a metal detector and... more travel advice

Hoja Nasruddin statue Things to Do (14)

Hoja Nasruddin was a Sufi . He is still today renowned for its sense of humour and his educational Islamic stories are... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (5)
See All Chirchik River
Transportation (10)
See All Uzbekistan Map
Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All Suicide bombs
Local Customs (8)
See All Markets
Favorites (6)
See All National Puppet Theatre Bukhara

Nightlife (2)
See All Labi-Hauz by night-Bukhara
Restaurants (2)
See All Labi-hauz restaurants-BuKhara
Hotels (3)
See All Rustam & Zukhra Guesthouse
Shopping (6)
See All Fruit stands-Tashkent
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Comments (18)

laurenzi1 Nov 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM Report Abuse

great tips & pics. awesome job on the webpage. makes me want to visit UZ!
TheWanderingCamel Nov 11, 2009 at 8:38 PM Report Abuse

Just home from our 2nd trip to Uz. Things are changing, but not too fast. People still great, police very lowkey, more tourists but not too many. No rip-offs. Loved it just as much as last time.
ovcampbell Sep 6, 2008 at 7:49 PM Report Abuse

We ate at this restaurant in Sept 1999 and it was a great place to eat. I had fish that was deep fried whole (wit its head still on). My wife is russian so we had no problems with the menu.
vanessaJurgen Apr 30, 2008 at 3:43 AM Report Abuse

Went to same restaurant, "royally robbed". Despite speaking some Russian. No printed menu so we asked prices of major items, not bread or side salads ... result: 1 bowl noodle soup, 1 saucer carrot, 1 saucer cucumber & tomato: 15 US dollars.
willy_wonka May 31, 2007 at 1:06 AM Report Abuse

you have done a really fantastic job here joao, and it just makes me desperate to come here even more! dreaming of uzbekistan again!
nepalgoods Apr 30, 2007 at 8:50 AM Report Abuse

I am very much looking forward to my trip to Usbekistan!! Your page makes me want to go immideately
Dana1979 Apr 29, 2007 at 5:27 AM Report Abuse

though Ive never been to the place however the photos give a warm feeling. Goodjob
hat53 Jul 16, 2006 at 1:31 PM Report Abuse

Nice page and thanks for the tips. Hard to find any good info on this place. I'm going there next saturday an looking forward to it.
janetanne Jul 7, 2006 at 6:44 PM Report Abuse

How do you travel in such dangerous places? Are you ever worried or are you too young to understand? Am I too old? Whatever! Your pages are amazing.
kokoryko Apr 5, 2006 at 3:32 PM Report Abuse

I dream of the silk road since. . . . so long. your page is beautiful and so well informed. Thanks for making me dream.