Uzbekistan is currently experiencing a surge in attention. It has been highlighted in various esteemed rankings including the New York Times’ Places to Travel In 2025, according to CN Traveler's list of the best places to visit in Asia, Samarkand, a historic Silk Road city, has recently been recognized. the top choice for traveling alone in Asia .
Mountaintravel ‘s Alice Murphy was ahead of the trend when she visited Uzbekistan back in April 2024. As curiosity about the nation's surreal scenery continues to rise, we've reissued her account of the trip to motivate you to add these destinations to your travel wish list.
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‘What on Earth are you doing there?’
These were the questions my friends posed when I informed them about my trip. Uzbekistan , a previous Soviet state nestled between Russia , China , and a host of fellow ‘Stans’ .
I received numerous responses, largely fueled by my interest in the nation's Silk Road heritage and the historical enigma of a location that served as the heart of Central Asian culture for over twenty centuries.
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With its enchanting architecture, turquoise-tiled buildings, and spiritually inspiring sunsets, Uzbekistan exceeded expectations.
Tashkent: City Marked by Soviet Echoes
My week-long journey begins with a seven-hour flight to Tashkent, where the urban landscape is saturated with Brutalist structures and remnants of Soviet influence.
Tatiana, the initial guide among our quartet leading through the Silk Road trail, brings us to sites like Khast Imam Square — home to what is believed to be the planet’s oldest copy of the Quran — and the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar, an excellent spot for observing locals bake bread using ancient clay ovens.
We admire the facade of Hotel Uzbekistan, an impressive yet dilapidated structure that was formerly frequented by high-ranking officials from the Communist era. Afterwards, we pause for a beverage at Pelikan Craft, a Soviet-themed bar offering IPAs and local draft beers, which would fit right in with London’s Hackney Wick neighborhood.
As I enjoy a drink at one of Tashkent’s expansive avenues, I can’t help but notice how remarkably secure this metropolis with its population of 2.4 million seems to be. Hospitality here is generous, and soon enough, we find ourselves accompanied by three local youngsters keen on honing their English skills.
There are very few British tourists in Uzbekistan — typically around 10,000 per year — but arriving in the country has never been simpler.
A mere ten years back, traveling to Uzbekistan was known for being complicated due to stringent visa requirements and instances of corruption. However, following the passing of President Islam Karimov in 2016, obtaining a visa has become much simpler. Currently, more than sixty different nationalities are eligible for thirty days of visa-exempt travel, encompassing nations like the United Kingdom and most European Union countries. New Zealand , Australia , and South Korea .
Uzbekistan has become the most frequented country among the Central Asian republics, and for valid reasons.
Spectacular Samarkand
Any notions I harbored regarding Uzbekistan’s contemporary nature vanished swiftly during our trip to Samarkand, which stands as the foremost attraction for aficionados of Silk Road architecture.
We take the high-speed train — the remarkably comfortable, Spanish-owned Afrosiyab — which has free tea and coffee, and considerably more leg room than Great Western Railway.
Our guide, Rukhana, takes us directly to the mausoleum of Amir Timur, a formidable leader and national icon who seized vast territories across Central Asia during the 14th century. The intricately tiled murals and shimmering golden ceilings of this massive shrine underscore his significant influence and power.
However, the principal attraction in the Silk Road’s most renowned city is Registan Square, an impressive space where mosques, madrasas, and minarets converge. When a companion of Rukhana happens upon them and greets them, this individual reveals themselves as the head of the area’s oldest structure, providing an opportunity to ascend one of the minarets for a panoramic overlook of the square below.
The ascent is vertigo-inducing, the view mesmerizing, as we look down upon a tableau of elaborate mosaics and Zoroastrian symbols — the age-old Persian belief system that was formerly the dominant creed in Uzbekistan.
If Registan is stunning during the daytime, it becomes even more spectacular at night as locals bring their children to enjoy popcorn and soak in music under the enchanting light of the square’s illumination. There’s an air of joy everywhere, making it seem like a delightful place for a child to grow up.
I share with Rukhana details from a recently conducted study that ranked Uzbekistan as the most miserable nation Around the globe, and inquire if she believes it's accurate.
'Many young individuals around here frequently wish to depart, yet they fail to recognize the quality of life here. They also underestimate the challenges they might face elsewhere,' she remarks wisely.
A flavor of the Silk Route
The following day, we return to Afrosiyob’s roomy interiors for our trip to Bukhara, a smaller yet more devoutly Islamic city located 270 kilometers to the northwest.
We spend our two nights at a hotel located in the Jewish Quarter of the ancient city, which surrounds a cluster of wells. caravanserais Along major trading routes of the Silk Road, travelers would stop at waystations beside the road to eat, sleep, and exchange news with one another.
Domes with histories spanning centuries continue to offer shelter to travelers perusing handcrafted silk scarves. suzani (embroidered textiles) adorned with pomegranates — emblems of fertility.
I nearly purchased a classic titanium knife featuring an elegant mother-of-pearl handle until worries about international customs deterred me.
The finest meal during our trip was enjoyed at a Bukhara. suzani the maker's home, where we feasted from pots of plo V – a rice-based dish served with beef or lamb, raisins, and golden-yellow carrots – and samsa, a savory pastry filled with meat, which our guide Rimma compares to Uzbekistan’s version of McDonald’s.
The iconic golden arches haven't reached this region of Central Asia yet, but they do have Wendy’s, and they recently marked the opening of their first KFC.
It's clear that dining in this region poses some challenges for vegans and vegetarians, yet the locals excel at crafting delicious salads. Additionally, they cultivate the most succulent tomatoes I have ever had, so do not be discouraged by the predominantly meat-based dishes on the menu.
Spellbinding Khiva
During our seven-hour journey to Khiva, we speed by landscapes that have mostly disappeared from Western nations.
Women hoe the fields, a kaleidoscope of headscarves fluttering in the breeze behind them. Cows ride along on pickup trucks, their heavy rubber wheels disrupting desert sand that looks like a sea of brown sugar.
Piles of hay bales balance precariously atop exaggerated Damas vans. Our guide, Rahman, informs us that these vehicles are referred to locally as 'loaves,' due to their resemblance to loaves of bread.
Spending seven hours at the rear of a Chevrolet seems unimaginable in the UK, yet our trip across the Kyzylkum Desert turns out to be remarkably comfortable.
We reach our 2,700-year-old destination right as it’s time to stroll along the ancient city walls during sunset, an utterly enchanting moment that makes one feel profoundly insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The Independent’s Simon Calder referred to Khiva as one of the most astounding places on Earth,” and he certainly isn’t overstating it.
The historic city is renowned for its Islamic architectural marvels; however, it offers more than just sights to see. You can find excellent accommodations and dining options here too, such as rooftop terraces with stunning views of vibrant blue domes or quaint eateries nestled within golden-hued stonework.
We spent our last two days ensconced inside the confines of Khiva, delving into intricate madrassas where foundational mathematical concepts were initially uncovered, and visiting mosques upheld by ancient wooden pillars dating back a millennium.
The last afternoon leaves us marveling at a troupe of local acrobats performing an astonishing balancing act atop each other on a tightrope.
As the day ends during our journey through Central Asia, we have a toast with a circle of six acquaintances in their 60s whom we frequently cross paths with along the Silk Road route.
People told me, 'Why on earth are you going there,'" one person shares with me as we sip on a glass of Saperavi wine. "The more appropriate question should be, 'Why on earth wouldn't you?'
The optimal time to explore Uzbekistan — is it right for you?
The ideal time to travel to Uzbekistan is between March to mid-June, and September to October Most of Uzbekistan experiences a harsh continental climate characterized by scorching summers and frigid winters; thus, avoiding extreme conditions involves traveling during milder times.
Uzbekistan is seen as a culturally rich destination primarily for older travelers (indeed, everyone we encountered during our journey was over 60 years old). However, travel expert and founder of Trotting Soles Sunita Ramanand asserts that the nation has something special for people of all ages and preferences.
'Scenic terrains offer great chances for various activities such as mountain biking, paragliding, whitewater rafting, heliskiing, hot air balloon rides, and ziplining, among others,' she shares with Mountaintravel.co.uk.
'Uzbekistan is also among the handful of budget-friendly locations that provide outstanding value for travelers.'
Alice Murphy was a visitor Trotting Soles (+44 (0) 7553 709314; info@trottingsoles.co.uk ) . Private one-week trips featuring basic lodging, domestic transportation, and organized sightseeing begin at £1,300 per individual (assuming two travelers). For the identical experience but with upscale accommodations and transport, the cost rises to £2,700 per person.
Uzbekistan Airways offers direct flights from London to Tashkent starting at £503, whereas Turkish Airlines provides services with one layover in Istanbul for approximately £623.
The article was initially released on April 28, 2024.
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