For the most part, Tashkent will be your starting base to explore the beautiful country of Uzbekistan. It is the capital to one of the only double landlocked countries in the world along with Liechtenstein. Nevertheless, the city has much more to offer to the visitor than just being a starting base. This article focuses on providing you with the top things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Where to stay?
As the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent has quite a few options to stay.
- If you looking for a cheap stay you can try Art Hostel.
- Perfect Intermediate options would be the Level Hotel or the Ateca Hotel Suites
- If you want a more comfortable stay, the luxurious Hampton by Hilton would then probably be the best fit for you.
A taxi from the airport to the city should cost around 15,000 to 25,000 soms / 1.3 to 2.3 USD
Where to eat? Central Asian Plov Center
Plov is the most emblematic dish of Central Asia. Indeed, every Central Asian country claims to have the best Plov. Uzbekistan might just as well be leading the race. Thus, one great place to try this dish is in the Central Asian Plov Center. It is located right next to the TV tower.
In there, they have some of the biggest cauldrons in the entire world. In some of them you can cook up to 3 tons of food that would serve around 3000 people.
Plov is mix of fried rice and vegetables (usually onions and carrots) served with lamb or beef meat. In Tashkent particularly, they add a piece of horse meat in the serving.
Central Asian Plov Center is quite a busy place, especially at lunch time. Therefore, make sure to arrive early enough so you walk in the kitchens while their cauldrons are still full.
Top things to do in Tashkent: Visit the Old City
Khazrat-i-Imam Complex
This complex has been central to Tashkent for centuries. Many important buildings were erected right in this area. They extensively restored the complex itself in the recent years. In addition, they are even building a new mosque at the moment.
Abubakr Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum
This mausoleum is dedicated to a local saint born in 903. Abu-Bakr-al-Kuffal Shansi was a scholar who spent most of his life in the capital of the Arab Caliphate at the time: Baghdad. In there, he served the caliphe’s court mostly for scientific and diplomatic purposes. He later returned to his hometown, Tashkent. In fact, he helped stop foreign incursions thanks to his diplomatic skills. Therefore, local people often referred to him as a holy man by the people. Today, you can still visit his tomb inside this mausoleum.
One of the great attraction is a copy of a Quran that dates back from 644. It is allegedly the oldest one available. This Quran was written in the Kufi Arabic calligraphic style. At the time, there were 4 original copies remaining from Caliph Othman’s time. One was in Baghdad, the other in Cairo, the other in Persia and the last one found its way to Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
One interesting fact is that they wrote this Quran on silk paper so insects won’t eat it.
The Quran itself is listed as a UNESCO heritage. When the Russians invaded Uzbekistan, they transferred the original Quran to a museum in St.Petersburg and left a copy in Tashkent. They brought it back to Uzbekistan only in 1922.
- Entrance price : 25,000 soms / 2.3 USD
Barak Khan Madrassa
This madrassa (Islamic School) dates from the 16th century. The main gate is very beautiful and typical of the Uzbek Islamic architecture.
In this madrassa, students were taught in scientific matters such as astronomy, philosophy, theology or medicine.
After the independence, the building was falling into ruins. The government started a restoration program that allowed local merchants to set small shops in the old student rooms.
Friday Mosque
Hazrati mosque has 2 very tall minarets of more than 50 meters high. It dates back from the 16th century. However, restoration was undertaken in the recent years.
Visit Chorsu Bazaar
This bustling market is an attraction on itself. Indeed, this market has so many sections, covered and uncovered.
While in there, make sure to try some of the numerous fruits of season sold there. There are many local fruits, but I particularly loved the local raspberries. Thus, you can see the sellers hand-pick each raspberry one by one. While their size is much smaller than what we are used to see in supermarkets, their natural taste and texture is just even more amazing.
Another great section is where they make fresh bread. You can directly step in the bakery section. In there, you may taste hot bread straight from the oven. Otherwise, you can also try the differently shaped bread such the plate ones.
I strongly advise you to also get your stock of local honey. In addition to tasting great and being organic, it is very cheap.
There is even a section that sells Korean Kimchi and other pickled vegetables.
Finally, you can grab lunch directly at the market where they have lots of options for meat lovers.
Top things to do in Tashkent: Visit the New City
While in the new city, you will notice that avenues are all very wide. Indeed, Tashkent has been rebuilt after the traumatic 1966 earthquake that destroyed most of the old city. At the time, it was the 4th biggest city of the USSR. The city was rebuilt as a model of the Soviet Union.
Thus, lots of the attractions in this area of the city are actually quite recent.
Visit the Museum of Applied Arts
You may stop at the Applied Arts museum where they display all types of local art crafts. In there, you can see hand-made carpets, tiubiteica traditional hats and paintings relation the history of Uzbekistan.
Take a quick stop at Hotel Uzbekistan
This hotel is a perfect representation of post-Soviet architecture. Thus, it makes an interesting stop before heading to the metro or to the Amir Temur Square.
We did not go inside the hotel as we heard that the interior isn’t as interesting as the outside.
Amir Timur Square
Amir Temur is probably the most important figure there is in Uzbekistan. Indeed, they almost consider him to be the founder of the Uzbek Nation. Thanks to his great military genius, he conquered most of Central Asia, Persia, the Caucasus and the levant.
After the independence of Uzbekistan from the USSR in 1991, the figure of Amir Temur replaced the one from Lenin in the country. It helped rebuild a strong national identity of Uzbekistan.
On top of being one of the greatest military leader, his reign also led to a cultural renaissance at the time during which science particularly thrived.
Today, Amir Temur Square is nice park where Uzbeks hang out with friends and family.
Top things to do in Tashkent: Visit the Metro Stations
As crazy as it sounds, in Tashkent the metro itself is an attraction. Indeed, the decoration of the stations is very unique. There are 43 of them and the Station Ali Chernavoy and the Station of the Independence are probably the most beautiful ones.
One interesting fact is that up to 2018 it was a criminal offense to take pictures inside the metro. Indeed, the Tashkent Metro was build as a nuclear bomb shelter and therefore considered strategic to national security.
Thankfully for us tourists, they lifted the ban. You may now take as many photos as you wish. A ticket costs 1,400 UZS / 0.13 USD per person.
Independence Square
This square has always been central to Tashkent. Indeed, even before the Russian arrived in 1865, the square was already hosting the residence of the country’s ruler. After the USSR was founded, a statue of Lenin was installed there. Eventually, it was dismantled and replace by a this monument after the country’s independence. Part of that square are not accessible to the general public as they host government buildings.
WWII Martyrs Monuments
While the world paid a huge price for World War II, the USSR took one of the biggest tolls. Within the USSR itself, Uzbekistan sent almost 1/4th of its population to fight the war. Out of this 1/4th, almost 70% died and got injured on the battlefield. In honor of these tragic events, the WWII martyrs monument represents a weeping mother (the nation) waiting for her sons to come back.
Top things to do in Tashkent: Visit Minor Mosque
It is one of the newest mosques in Tashkent. Completed in 2014, it is still worth visiting for its beautiful style made of white marble.
After a great start in Tashkent, why not head straight to the opposite part of the country to visit the mysterious Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Very useful article! I will definitely consider these places once I decide to visit Uzbekistan.