Uzbekistan is a very interesting country for sightseeing tourism. Located at the intersection of the trade routes of the great Silk Road, the Timur Empire existed here for several centuries. That’s why we can see here so many remarkable historical monuments.
The capital of Uzbekistan is the city of Tashkent. The city was founded in the 2nd century BC, but in those years it was not a significant settlement, compared to Samarkand, the capital of the Timur Empire, or Bukhara, the capital of the Samanid state.
In 1966, a very strong earthquake occurred in Tashkent and destroyed all the historical buildings in the city center. Tashkent was restored, but in a different layout, with wide avenues and modern buildings.
It is better to start your acquaintance with Tashkent from Amir Timur square, where a large monument has been erected to him. Nearby are the Amir Timur Museum, the Museum Of the history of Uzbekistan, beautiful parks and squares. You should definitely take a walk around Mustakilik square, where the Palace of the President of Uzbekistan is located among the trees of public garden.
The most interesting historical sightseeing you can have in Samarkand. The city was founded around 700 BC. It Is one of the oldest cities in the world, and at the time of Timur (15th century), about half a million people lived here. The most interesting are Registan Square with ancient madrassah and mosques, as well as the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, where the great conqueror of antiquity, who did not lose a single battle, was buried.
Also in Samarkand, you should see the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Ulugbek Observatory, the Shahi-Zinda necropolis, and the Rukhabad mausoleum. Around Registan square, the old city is preserved, where you can have nice walk.
Also Bukhara is an ancient city, founded in the 5th century BC. It was the capital of the Samanid state. In ancient times, a powerful Ark fortress was built, and since the 11th century, there appeared real masterpieces of Bukhara’s architecture: the Poi-Kalyan minaret, Miri Arab madrasah, Kosh madrasah, covered market, and many other remarkable buildings. In the suburbs of Bukhara, there are interesting complexes: the Palace of the Emir of Bukhara Sitorai Mosi-Khosa, the Chor Bakr memorial complex, and the necropolis of Bahauddin Naqshbandi.
The ancient city of Khiva is located at a long distance from the main cities. All attractions are located very compactly in the area of the Kunya Ark citadel. It was built in the 17th century and the famous Kalta Minor minaret, madrassas, and mosques were built nearby. Now the whole center of Khiva looks like one big Museum city.
If you go from Khiva to the north, you can visit the Savitsky Museum of art in Nukus city. Thanks to the efforts of this collector in this city among the desert was collected the second most important art collection of the Russian avant-garde.