Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest economic and cultural centre of the country. At various stages of its long history, Tashkent was known as Shash, Chachkent, Shashkent and Binket. The name "Tashkent" is first mentioned in the works of Abu-Raikhon Beruni and Mahmud Kashgari (11th century). Tashkent is the Uzbek word for "stone town". How can we explain this name if in the c... read more

Samarkand, the capital of ancient Sogdiana, is one of the oldest cities in the world, of the same age as Rome, Athens and Babylon. It is twenty-five centuries old. During those centuries the city has survived many great and dramatic events. Samarkand saw Saka and Massagets, Greeks and Macedonians, Karakitais, Arab commanders and hordes of Genghis Khan. Under Amir Timur's governing Samarkand became... read more

All the travellers are obliged to fill in the Customs Declaration Form duplicate upon entering Uzbekistan . All currencies and other valuable items such as jewellery, cameras and computers being imported into the country must be declared in this form. The Customs Declaration Form must be surrendered at the time of departure. This allows an easy export of all imported items. It is essential to ... read more

Bukhara is the city, which has been growing constantly at one and the same place beginning from the 4th century BC. Bukhara preserves treasures of architecture of the pre-Mongol period. The total number of monuments is above 400. Bukhara is regarded the largest open-air museum in Central Asia.  "Bukhara-I-Sharif" - "Noble", "Holy" is one of the numerous epithets that were bestowed on ... read more

In the north-western part of Uzbekistan, on the left bank of the Amu-Darya River, in the transition zone between the sultry deserts of Karakum and Kyzylkum lie the lands of ancient Khorezm oasis. Khiva is an ancient city in the lower reaches of the Amu-Darya River. Khorezm's agriculture and settlements go back to four, perhaps six, millennia. So, Khiva may be very old. The legend holds that i... read more

Uzbekistan Tashkent – Samarkand (340 kms) Samarkand – Bukhara via Navoi (268 kms) Samarkand – Shakre sabz via steppes (155 kms)   Samarkand – Shakre Sabz via Aman Kutan (90 kms (pass route only for cars/small van)) Shakre Sbz – Bukhara (253 kms) Bukhara – Khiva (485 kms)   Borders near by: Tashkent – Charnayevka(to Kazakhstan) (18 kms) (for going t... read more

Shakhrisabz (Green town) is a small town to the south of Samarkand, lying across the hills in Kashka-Darya province. This is Amir Temur's hometown and once upon a time it had probably put Samarkand itself in the shadow. In the early 7th century Chinese Buddhist traveller Huen Tsang visited the Sogdian town of Kesh (Shakhrisabz). This city saw the Arab and Mongol invasions. By 1336, the year ... read more

In the year 2013 the population of Uzbekistan was 30.48 million; the growth rate was 1.89 percent and population density is made up of 50.5 persons per square kilometre. The population of Uzbekistan involves more than 100 nations: Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Kazakhs, Tatars, Kyrgyz, Koreans, Germans, Jews and others. The minorities such as Russians, Jews and Germans have decreased in rece... read more

The history of Silk and Ceramics in Central Asia is as old as the Silk Road itself. Silk was traded through the corridors of Tienshan into Ferghana valley, supposedly the safest passages owing to mountainous and state protected paths. The history of silk introduction in present day Uzbekistan is more legendary to Ferghana valley. A Chinese princess was betrothed to a Ferghana prince. Chinese ... read more

Djizak is one of the important cities on the Great Silk Road with a very ancient history. Its name is translated as "key" or "small fort" from Sogdian. Before the Arab invasion it was one of the biggest cities of Ustrushana. Today it is one of provincial centres of Uzbekistan. For nature lovers Djizak is a perfect resort spot among the Turkestan ranges, comprising southeastern part of the Golo... read more

Uzbekistan is a land of ancient and rich culture. Numerous historical monuments evidence its high cultural standards and national originality. Objects found during archaeological excavations are of lasting artistic value and show the deep historical roots of Uzbek culture. The wall paintings in the palaces of Varaksha (near Bukhara) and Afrosiab (in Samarkand) are considered priceless as works of ... read more

The heartland of Uzbekistan, as the valley of Ferghana is known, is the densely populated part of the country with a majority of ethnic Uzbeks. Ferghana is the most fertile part of Uzbekistan, with large agricultural output. The Chatkal range of the Tian Shan in the north surrounds the valley, with the Pamir-Alai in the south from where the Syr Darya River starts flowing through the valley. So the... read more

January 1 - New Year's Day (according to Gregorian calendar)  March 8 - International Women's Day  March 21 - Novruz May 9 - Victory Day September 1 - Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan  December 8 - Constitution Day  Muslim holidays Khait and Kurban Khait - the date changes each year in correspondence... read more

The Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan occupies 165,000 square km and is situated in the north-western part of Uzbekistan. The Amu-Darya River flows through the territory of Karakalpakstan. This region borders on Turkmenistan (in the south), on Khorezm province (Uzbekistan) and on Kazakhstan (in the north). The population is more than 1.5 million people. The official language of the Repub... read more

Modern-day Termez bears few traces of its colourful cosmopolitan history. However, there are some ancient monuments and sites attesting to more glorious times.

With effect 04 September, Uzbekistan announces re-opening of international flights.  Flight operation will be a step by step opening process of various international flight sectors – initially Uzbek airways, Turkish airlines and Fly Dubai will restart regular operations. Other airlines are expected as soon as the local conditions permit  All arriving pas... read more

January - 2-5°C February - 3-7°C March - 10-21°C April - 18-24°C May - 22-26°C June - 26-28°C July - 28-35°C August - 26-28°C September - 22-24°C October - 16-18°C November - 8-10°C December - 4-6°C

The most popular railway line is operated currently between Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara. The rail type used is modern fast running Spanish Talgo – this brand is in the process of linking other parts of the country as domestic railway network system. A new railway line now connects directly between Bukhara and Khiva currently thrice weekly. In the course of time it is planned to run t... read more

The architectural complex Khoja Zaynuddin is hid from sight in one of the ancient residential quarter in Bukhara. Every true judge of antiquities should tourist this exceptional khanqah of Khoja Zaynuddin. The main hall of the khanqah has a domed roof. The lobby was used by Sufi in their religious practice. It is roomy enough with high ceiling and beautiful decoration. The khanqah was a home fo... read more

Magoki-Attori: the mosque which is rooted in Zoroastrianism Magok-i-Attari Mosque, situated in the historical center of Bukhara, is a sample of a municipal mahallah mosque. It was built instead of the Zoroastrian Temple of the Moon (Mokh). Archaeological excavations have shown that even under the Samanid dynasty there was a domed mosque with 6 minarets. In the 12th century the mosque was signi... read more

Tash-Khovli Palace: summer residence of Khivan Khans In the society of the east rulers, it was such a custom to build luxurious palace constructions so that the heads of the dynasty, the harem and their siblings could live with worthy greatness. It was also a symbol of mighty power and state. One of the most popular and often mentioned in history is the Tash-Khovli Palace, which in translation f... read more

Sayid Allauddin Mausoleum: the ancient mausoleum in Khiva Sayid Allauddin mausoleum is one of the oldest buildings in the walls of Ichan-Kala. It was named after Sufi and descendant of the Prophet Muhammad in the East, who lived at the end of the 13th century. A small mausoleum was built in his honor in the 15th century, and only 4 centuries later an extension was made - "ziyarat-khona", i.e. a ... read more

The madrasah of Muhammad Amin-khan The western extremity of the citadel of Ichan-Kala adores by the majestic building of the madrasah, built by Muhammad Amin Khan in one decade exactly in the middle of the XIX century. The scale of this structure remains unsurpassed both for Khiva itself and for the entire Central Asian region. Arab ligature over the gate promises that the madrasah will forever ... read more

Kunya-ark: history of the fortress The architectural complex of Kunya-Ark was erected in the late 17th century. This is the oldest surviving residence of Khiva khans. From Ichan-Kala (a historical inner city in Khiva) it is separated by beautifully preserved strong fortress walls. On the territory of the citadel of Kunya-Ark there were the Khan's palace, winter and summer mosques, a powder fac... read more

Islam Khoja Complex: mosque and minaret Madrassah of Islam-Khoja was erected in 1908-1910. The structure presumably refers to the XI-XII century. The main entrance to the small asymmetric madrasah is at the base. Inside the Islam-Khoja madrassa there is a large hall with a dome, 42 hujras (cells), located in one row inside a small courtyard and a mosque in the south-eastern part of the building... read more

Tomb of Saint Daniel: the history of life and legend One of the most ancient legends is associated with the name of the Old Testament prophet Daniel. As it is known from biblical sources, Daniel, or, as it is customary to call Christians, Daniel, and Muslims - Khoja Daniyar, was a descendant of King Solomon and lived in the 5th-4th centuries BC in Jerusalem. God gave him the ability to prophesy... read more

Imam al-Mothuridi was one of the first who created the philosophical foundations of the Muslim religion and faith. Al-Mouturidi is the founder of calom, the Islamic science of the rationalist interpretation of the religious foundations. He created the largest school that preached this science. That is why his grave is sacred now, many Muslims come here to worship the great Imam and read the Quran... read more

Tilla-Kori Madrassah: architectural peculiarities and history of construction Madrassah Tilla-Kori was upraised in 1646-1660 under the authority of khokim (ruler) Yalangtash at the place of the caravanserai. It is the latest building on the square and, together with the two other famous buildings, Ulugbek madrassah and Sherdor Madrassah. The building was built in the Soviet times but completely ... read more

Hazrat Hyzr - Muslim sacred place The Hazrat Hyzr mosque is a medieval Muslim shrine, the dating of the 8th century. It is named after the prophet Hezra, who patronizes travellers in the legends, has knowledge of "living water". The Hazrat Hyzr mosque is located in the southern part of Afrasiab, near the ensemble of Shakhi-Zinda tombs, in the northeast of Samarkand. The shrine, which can now b... read more

Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand The Bibi-Khanym with its turquoise-coloured domes is a breathtaking sight. The composition of the Bibi-Khanim ensemble is constructed as a complex combination of tectonic forms and colours, conveying a wide mystical view of the world. In the old time, the place of worship domes was compared to the heavens and the main arch phenomenon to the continuation of the Milky... read more