Can you keep a secret? Today, we’re going to tell you something that we probably shouldn’t be sharing — something that we just can’t keep to ourselves any longer. Here it is: everyone should have Uzbekistan on their bucket list.
Let us tell you why.
Uzbekistan is full of unreal beauty, and it looks exactly the way that it’s depicted in the stunning photographs you see of its cities. Between the country’s dazzling blue mosques, beautifully carved minarets, Soviet-style buildings, and ancient towns stuck in time, it’s a destination you have to see to believe. And if you like beautiful crafts, we have good news — there are enough mosaics, floral ceramics, and geometric tiles (in all shades of blue) to rival the famous azulejos of Lisbon, Portugal.
What’s more, you can visit Uzbekistan’s mosques, monuments, and mausoleums — and have them almost all to yourself. There’s plenty of space to wander and let your imagination run back in time to when these architectural masterpieces were first unveiled.
Uzbekistan’s cities took on their unique stylistic characteristics after a massive earthquake struck and the Soviet Union rebuilt many of the cities. The result was a mix of blocky, Soviet buildings, classical Russian architecture, and dazzlingly blue-tiled mosques from the 12th century.
As the country begins to open up more to visitors, it’s adding more flights from major global cities and making the visa process easier and less expensive. It is now one of the untouched gems of Central Asia!
After falling in love with the tiled mosques, ancient Silk Road history, delicious cuisine, and the heartwarming people of Uzbekistan, we knew we had to share it with the world. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit:
1. Welcoming people
It’s rare to find a country full of people who are so excited to befriend foreigners! It’s not uncommon for travelers to receive multiple dinner invites during the few days that they’re visiting Uzbekistan.
2. Ancient history
Uzbekistan is home to many famous cities along the Silk Road, and it still has remnants of when it was a part of the Soviet Union.
3. Beautiful blue tiles
The mosques are covered in gorgeous blue tiles, making for lots of great photo ops. And that’s especially true if you get outside before sunrise, when the city is just waking up!
4. Amazing food (with lots and lots of choices)
The national dish — plov — is made from rice mixed with veggies and meat, and it’s delicious. So are Lagman noodles, which are similar to ramen but taste better. It only takes one bite of each of these dishes to fall in love!
5. Incredible shopping
This is a given, since you’re traveling along the Silk Road itself. You can find carpets, silks, wood carvings; jewelry, and scarves, all of which make for perfect souvenirs.
6. Stunning ways of life
Everywhere you look, you’ll find something unique! From the way the people dress to what they eat and where they live, there’s plenty to see here.
7. Safety and access
Luckily, there are lots of flights to Uzbekistan, and it’s really simple to apply for an e-visa. It’s even fairly affordable, so there’s never been a better time to visit this Central Asian country!
8. Lack of tourists
That’s right, Uzbekistan is still an off-the-beaten-path destination, allowing you to visit sites that many people have never seen. That said, you should note that this is changing quickly — all the more reason to visit now, before everyone else learns of Uzbekistan’s beauty!
9. UNESCO World Heritage sites
Did we mention that Uzbekistan is home to incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Samarkand and Bukhara? It also boasts plenty of other world wonders, like Khiva, so we wouldn’t be surprised if UNESCO adds a few more Uzbekistan locales to its World Heritage list later on!
10. Gorgeous (and diverse) scenery
Uzbekistan doesn’t just consist of cities and mosques — its borders also contain forests, mountains, deserts, and so much more. Oh, and of course, the countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan are really close, letting you visit them on the same trip.
Traveling to Uzbekistan allows you to take a step back in time, walk through history, and immerse yourself in a culture has been undiscovered for so long. So what are you waiting for? Grab your backpack — there is more to explore!
If you’d like to visit Uzbekistan, you should join Acanela Expeditions on a life-changing journey through this gorgeous country. We’d love to show you around!