Uzbekistan is considered to be one of the most interesting places in Central Asia a nation where traditions of many centuries ago are harmoniously combined with the modernity of the hospitality. Full of history of the Silk Road, architectural marvels, and living culture, it is a place that can bring something really special to every traveler. Be it a history buff, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, Uzbekistan opens its wide arms to you and offers you even bigger stories to share.
Visa to Uzbekistan is a must before you plan your visit because the country is a fast-growing tourist destination. After you land you will find out it is not only the beautiful monuments or markets that make this country so unique it is the interesting facts and cultural aspects that startle you at every corner. These are 10 amazing facts about Uzbekistan that will leave you even more eager to visit the country.
Here are the 10 Incredible Facts about Uzbekistan
1. Home to Some of the Oldest Cities in the World
Uzbekistan is also proud to have three of the oldest permanently inhabited cities in the world which include Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. These old cities used to be the heart of the Silk Road and they continue to preserve their historicity. Mosques with turquoise tiles, maze-like bazaars and madrasahs dating back to centuries, strolling through these cities is like going back in time.
2. Tashkent's Metro is a Hidden Art Gallery
Although the majority of metro systems are just functional, the subway stations in Tashkent make eyes pop. Constructed in the Soviet period, the stations are designed artistically, have chandeliers, mosaics and marble walls. It feels as though you are going to work in a museum! It was previously prohibited to take photographs here because of the strategic value of this site, but now this underground treasure can be appreciated and photographed by the tourists.
3. Plov: More than Just a Dish
Plov, the national food of Uzbekistan, is a tasty mixture of rice, meat, carrots, onions and spices. However, it is not just food, it is a cultural event. Cooked in huge cauldrons, plov, in particular at weddings and festivals, symbolizes unity and hospitality. Every region is different, and the types of meat and ways to prepare it differ, so it is necessary to visit it several times!
4. One of Only Two Double-Landlocked Countries
Uzbekistan is a unique geographical location in the sense that it is a double-landlocked country; that is, it is enclosed by other landlocked countries. Nevertheless, the nation has immense desert terrain, arable valleys and oasis cities. The place where it is situated has predetermined its role as a trading and cultural exchange center in the course of thousands of years.
5. Heart of the Silk Road
Uzbekistan was the important state of the ancient Silk Road that connected Europe and China. Such cities as Samarkand and Bukhara played a significant role as the centers of commerce, learning, and religion. These places have today become lively with history due to their preserved landmarks and stories. The effects of numerous cultures are still present in the architecture, language, and traditions of Uzbek people.
6. Shifting Scripts: A Story in Alphabets
In the course of the last century, Uzbekistan has employed numerous scripts Arabic, Latin, Cyrillic under Soviet rule, and currently Latin. This alphabetic transformation indicates the metamorphosis of political and cultural identity of Uzbekistan. Most of the signs are usually bilingual and traces of the old scripts are common, which give the country an edge when it comes to its visual and historical terrain.
7. The Registan: Central Asia's Crown Jewel
Registan in Samarkand is among the most stunning public squares of the world. The square was used as an educational and social gathering place that was surrounded by three magnificent madrasahs with magnificent blue tilework and mosaics. It is now a representation of the rich Islamic architecture of Uzbekistan and it is a must-see spot by any tourist visiting the area.
8. Hospitality is a National Virtue
Uzbek hospitality is not merely a sense of politeness, but the lifestyle. Visitors are welcomed as family and it is a common practice to treat the visitors with tea, sweets and bread even without notice. It is a source of pride in most of the villages to invite a traveler to take a meal. This hospitality is a strong tradition of the nomads and Islamic culture, and every experience seems to be emotional.
9. Craftsmanship Runs Deep
Uzbekistan is renowned with its master artisans who preserve traditional crafts. Be it the silk that is hand weaved in Margilan, the elaborate ceramics of Rishtan or the colorful Suzani embroidery, everything is thousands of years of craftsmanship and pride. A trip to local workshops will give a practical idea of the skill and imagination that goes into these distinctive art forms and the opportunity to bring home a memento.
10. Sleep in a Yurt beneath the Stars
To make the experience even more memorable, the tourists can spend a night in the Kyzylkum Desert in a traditional yurt. Nomads have been living in these circular felt tents generations and it is a serene escape under the skies of the desert. With the help of local music, narration, and stargazing, it is a magical experience to connect with nature and tradition away of the noise of modernity.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan is a surprise country where modernity combines with old culture. History and Silk Road stories, friendly atmosphere and the beauty of underground all this makes every moment in this place to be full of experience. All this, the food, people and stories combine to make the trip come out as both meaningful and memorable.
That is why in case you are not a tourist who only follows the crowd but you are an adventurous one who wants to see something special, you should get your Visa to Uzbekistan and visit now. Being your first time or the nth time, Uzbekistan will gladly receive you and leave you with a permanent memory.
