What to see and do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan? From architecture and history to shopping and food, this capital of this exciting country has it all. Here are our top tips for things to see and do in Tashkent and the surrounding area.
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Tashkent in Uzbekistan
Tashkent is the capital of the country of Uzbekistan, which has been independent since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Before that, it was the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Republic, and prior to that it had a chequered history, including being governed as various khanate. In fact, the city was settled several hundred years before Christ, and for a long time it was an important stop along the famous Silk Road, which ran between China and Europe.
In the 1960s, Tashkent suffered a devastating earthquake and much of the city was subsequently rebuilt in Soviet style. However, some historic buildings survived and are still standing today.
Tashkent is located in the north-eastern part of Uzbekistan, relatively close to the border with Kazakhstan.
What to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan?
So what can you see and do in Tashkent? We visited this city last spring, during a press trip. We've put together our top tips for the city and its surroundings.
1. discover the centre of Tashkent
First of all, it is of course interesting to discover the centre of Tashkent. For example, you can get around by metro and then walk. Please note that almost all cars are of the Chevrolet brand. This car brand has a monopoly, and its own production, in Uzbekistan. Otherwise, most cars are white.
It's also a bit charming to check out all the stalls selling freshly baked bread or fresh fruit, for example.
2. experience the Chorsu Bazaar
One thing you definitely don't want to miss doing in Tashkent is experiencing the market Chorsu Bazaar. We happily told our guides that "one hour is enough", but that was before we realised how big this market is... There's meat and vegetables, street food, clothes, jewellery and everything you can imagine.
It's interesting to check out the food sales, although as a tourist you may not be looking to shop for meat or vegetables. The cutting details are different from back home and it's really exciting to look around and try to ask the vendors what they have on the counter. Everyone we spoke to was very accommodating, friendly and cheerful, although English can be limited.
Eggs were available plenty of by the way!
3. Try Uzbek street food
When in Chorsu Bazaar, or any other market in Tashkent, it's fun to try delicacies and street food. You can try everything from fruit and bread to crystallised sugar, which is a common sweet.
There is also street food that is perfect if you are hungry, such as different kinds of pies. At Chorsu Bazaar we tried some small fried things with vegetarian filling, which only cost a few kroner. It was good too!
4. Find traditional clothes
You may also want to take the opportunity to bargain for traditional clothes? You can do this at the Chorsu Market, but also in other places. Uzbekistan is famous for silk and embroidered clothing. Lots of lovely colours!
5. Eat at the Central Asian Plov Centre
A popular thing to do in Tashkent is to eat at Central Asian Plov Centrewhich, incidentally, is next to the city's 375-metre high TV tower. The TV tower can also be visited by tourists, and apparently there is a restaurant up there. However, we went all in for ploughs ...
Plov is the Uzbek version of the dish pilaff, which can be considered the country's national dish. The dish, which is extremely loved, consists of oily rice, meat, spices and vegetables, such as carrots.
You can eat this dish in many different places, but doing it here is a bit special. This is because it is cooked in a enormous stew and people flock here to share the experience.
6. Admire the Tashkent Metro
The Tashkent metro is something special! The metro was built in the 1970s, during the Soviet era, and new stations have been added since then. All stations are beautifully decorated with specific themes. Above all, don't miss the stations Cosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi and Mustaquillik Maydoni.
7. stroll in Independence Square
When Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, Lenin Square was renamed Mustaqillik Maydoni, which means Independence Square. A monument to independence was erected here and various parades and events are organised in the square.
Not far from here you will also find the square Amir Timur Square, which today is decorated with a statue of the Turk-Mongol warlord Timur Lenk. In previous periods, there have been statues of both Stalin and Lenin here.
8. visit the Hazrat Imam Complex
The Hazrati Imam Complex (Zuzuk-Ota) is a monument dating from the 16th to 20th centuries. The complex consists of the Moʻyi Muborak Madrasah, the Qaffol Shoshi Mausoleum, the Baroqxon Madrasah, the Hazrati Imam Mosque, the Tillashayx Mosque and the Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute. This is one of the major sights of Tashkent.
We first walked around the area and looked around, and then (after we took off our shoes and put on a veil) we were allowed to look into one of the mosques.
Below you can see a picture of our entire group of journalists and bloggers, from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
9. See Uzbek crafts
The area around the Hazrat Imam complex has a long tradition of craftsmanship. Throughout history, craft skills were often an important complement to religious studies, and craftsmen and descendants of craftsmen still live in these areas today.
On Suzuk Ata Street, craft shops have been set up where tourists can learn more about the history of crafts, but also buy wooden and metal products, carpets, silk garments and embroidered textiles. Our guide showed us a painting drawn on 130-year-old paper.
10. See Kulkedash Madrassa
Kulkedash Madrassa, dating back to the reign of Abdullah Khan in the 16th century, is one of the historic buildings that survived the 1966 earthquake. This madrassa is a beautiful building and is still used for teaching today. Tourists can peek into the inner courtyard, while other parts are dedicated to the students.
11. visit the State Museum of Applied Art
The State Museum of Applied Arts showcases and tells the story of cultural heritage and the history of arts and crafts. You can see paintings, ceramics, embroidery, carpets, porcelain, musical instruments and much more.
12. Relaxing in Tashkent City Park
Tashkent City Park is a large and modern recreational area, which you can find in the centre of the capital. There are many large hotels here, as well as restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours. There is a man-made lake in the centre, around which there are many nice walking paths.
In the park you will also find the Tashkent Planetarium with 7D cinema and wax museum, a 450-seat amphitheatre, basketball court, playground and much more. A visit to this park is a perfect thing to do in Tashkent, when you just want to enjoy nice weather, or relax with a beer or an ice cream.
A group of Uzbek women thought we seemed a bit exotic and wanted to take photos with us Scandinavian women. A fun meeting that offered happy faces and laughter!
13. Eat Uzbek food in local restaurants
When visiting Tashkent, you'll naturally want to experience Uzbek food in local restaurants. In Uzbekistan, you can often expect the restaurants to be large and bright, and the speakers to erupt into loud dance music at any moment, as diners at any table get the urge to swing around the dance floor. We had an evening at the restaurant Soy.
Traditionally, the meal starts with a salad and perhaps soup. Then it's time for the main course, which is often some kind of meat, in the form of chicken, beef or lamb. Why not kebab skewers, for example?
Although many in the mainly Muslim population do not drink alcohol, it is usually possible to order beer or wine in the restaurants. Here we drank Sarbast, which is a light lager from Uzbekistan.
Another evening we ate at the restaurant Labi Havuz, where we got our own, slightly secluded room inside the restaurant. Here, too, we had salad and soup, and for the main course we went for a classic somsa, that is, a pirogue, which in this case was filled with minced beef. For dessert we had a delicious cake.
14. Take a trip to the mountains
Uzbekistan offers stunning and dramatic scenery, with high mountains, clear lakes and glorious greenery. Starting from the capital Tashkent, you can make various exciting excursions.
15. Travelling by high-speed train to other locations
In Uzbekistan there is a modern high-speed train, named Afrosiyob. This train will take you quickly and easily to other cities in the country, such as Buchara and Samarland.
More to do in Tashkent
Want even more tips on things to see and do in Tashkent? Here are some more suggestions.
- Alisher Navoi Grand Theatre is the leading theatre for opera and ballet.
- The Minor Mosque was built in 2014, and is extremely beautiful in white marble.
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral is a beautiful Catholic church.
- The State Museum of History opened as early as 1876 and displays more than 250,000 historical artefacts.
- The State Museum of the Temurids History honours Amir Temur.
Where to stay in Tashkent?
There are of course many different hotels to choose from in Tashkent. We stayed at The Tower Hotel, which was absolutely excellent. We had a good room here, and there is also a pool and a simple little bar. Buffet breakfast is served, and as we had to leave very early one of the mornings, we were given breakfast to take to the train in a small box.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Do you have time and opportunity to see more of Uzbekistan? Some of the most popular places to visit, in addition to Tashkent, include the historic cities Samarkand, Chiva and Bukhara. If you click on the image below you will find all our tips!
More tips on things to do in Tashkent?
Have you visited this exciting city in Uzbekistan? If so, what are your top tips on what to see and do in Tashkent?
Facts about Tashkent in Uzbekistan
- Country: Uzbekistan
- Location: Tashkent is located in the north-east of the country, on the border with Kazakhstan, near the Syr-Darya River and the Altai mountain range.
- Population: Approximately 2.4 million (2016)
- The name: The city's name means 'stone city' in Uzbek. In English, the city is usually spelt Tashkent, or possibly Toshkent.
- Industries: Engineering industry, textile production, food production and aircraft manufacturing. There is a university, founded in 1918.
- Read more: You can find even more info on the official tourist office website.
Things to do in Tashkent - good to know
- Language: Uzbek. In addition, Russian is spoken with several languages. English can be spoken mainly with younger people and people in the tourism sector.
- Time difference: Uzbekistan is 4 hours ahead of Sweden
- Currency: Uzbek as (USZ)
- Religion: Islam is the main religion.
- Upholstery: Dress is generally free, but as a woman, it may be considered respectful to dress to cover shoulders and knees. In particular, respectful dress is required when visiting religious sites (mosques and cemeteries) as women also need to cover their hair with a scarf. Men, when visiting religious sites, should wear trousers that cover the knees.
- Security: Uzbekistan is generally a safe country to travel in. Read more about security in Uzbekistan here.
TRAVEL TO Tashkent
- Flight: You can fly to Uzbekistan, for example, via Istanbul. It is also possible to fly via Riga or Warsaw. Within the country, you can travel by high-speed train Afrosiyob.
- Organised trips: There are several different companies that arrange organised trips to Uzbekistan, including Iventus, Världens Resor, Rolfs Flyg & Buss, Läs och Res and others.
History of Tashkent
- 4th century BC: The city dates back to this time and was long an important trading centre along the Silk Road.
- 1214: The city was destroyed by the Khorezm shah.
- 1219: Genghis Khan attacked the city.
- 15th century: The city was a Timurid fort.
- 15th century: The city was part of the Khanate of Bukhara.
- 1810: Tashkent became an independent Khanate when it was conquered by Alem Khan of Kokand.
- 1865: The city was captured by the Russian general Mikhail Chernyaev.
- 1867: The city became the capital of the Russian General Governorate of Turkestan.
- 1930: Tashkent became the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Republic.
- 1966: Large parts of the city were destroyed in a massive earthquake. It was then rebuilt in modern Soviet style.
- 1991: Tashkent became the capital of Uzbekistan, after the fall of the Soviet Union.
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Jonathan says:
Got a bit the same feeling as in Vietnam there with the food, as they almost cook the food on the street, a feast for the eyes 😀!
08 June 2024 - 15:46