There is often a small window of time between a destination becoming known as a great place to visit and tourists starting to overwhelm all the top sites. One such country is Uzbekistan. There are a few reasons why you need to visit now — before it becomes overrun with tourists in the boom that is likely to occur in the next few years.
1. Easy to Enter
A major reason why tourism has never been big in Uzbekistan before now is that the complicated visa requirements were only lifted in 2018. You used to need to apply for a visa through an expensive and time-consuming process that involved a large amount of paperwork, including a letter of invitation.
Now, U.S. citizens (along with those of several other countries) just need to apply for an e-Visa at least three days before their trip (processing takes two to three working days). It costs $20 and requires almost no effort. If you’re a citizen of another country, you may even be able to enter without any type of visa. Either way, most people are able to stay in the country for up to 30 days.
2. Budget Destination
Your greatest expense is likely to be the airfare. You may be able to find a direct flight, but you’ll likely need a layover somewhere like Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha. However, if you don’t mind the long journey, it will pay off because everything in the country is extra cheap. This includes food, local crafts, and entry prices to monuments (although you do need to pay more than the locals).
Just be aware that the country uses a closed currency, which means you’ll need to purchase cash when you’re already in Uzbekistan and change everything when you leave. When exchanging cash, try to have just crisp dollar bills — otherwise, you may find they make the conversion rate a little worse.
3. Rich History
A good reason to visit any new country is to discover another culture. You won’t be disappointed with Uzbekistan because it has been an important place for centuries. The Silk Road trade route that existed from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century ran through Uzbekistan. This has had a major impact on the country’s culture, which is reflected in its mosques, markets, cuisine, textiles, and more.
4. Multiple Cities to Visit
Uzbekistan is a great place to visit if you want to travel around rather than stay in one place. Tashkent is the capital — a city that combines modern with traditional. If you want to learn more about the country, head to its State Museum of History.
A few other great cities to visit include:
- Khiva — Known for Itchan Kala, a walled inner town that is protected as a World Heritage Site and contains more than 50 monuments and 250 houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Samarkand — Also called the Crossroads of Culture, its most impressive site is likely Registan, which is a square bordered on three sides by madrasas, each one unique in style.
- Bukhara — The entire historic center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A highlight is the 16th-century Kalan Mosque with its intricate ceramic designs.
5. Beautiful Scenery
In addition to visiting the cities, you may want to spend some time in nature. Uzbekistan is the perfect place to go hiking or just take in the stunning scenery. The country has everything from mountain ranges, expansive lakes, and waterfalls to meadows, deserts, and forests.
Some places to consider for the best natural beauty the country has to offer include:
- Ugam-Chatkal Natural National Park — In addition to the mountains of the Ugam Range, it has more than 1,000 types of plants along with wildlife including brown bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, and rabbits.
- Kyzylkum Desert — Although much of the desert is expanses of sand, there are also some huge cotton fields.
- Tuyabuguz Reservoir — The artificial lake provides water for irrigation and also serves as a beach for the landlocked country.
- Aydar Lake — Another manmade construction, it is one in a system of three lakes and features beautiful blue waters bordered by sandy shores.
6. Reliable Transport
Most visitors to Uzbekistan use trains to get around. Like everything else in the country, these are cheap — but they’re also high quality, comfortable, and reliable. There are high-speed trains between the three main cities, meaning you can reach each with a journey of just a few hours. The longest journey you may like to consider is between Tashkent and Bukhara, which is eight hours. You should consider doing this if you want the experience of an overnight train. Book in advance to ensure you secure a first-class sleeper ticket.
Although renting a car is an option, most tourists don’t choose to go down this route. You’ll need to acquire an international driver’s license first and should plan routes carefully to avoid the poor road conditions outside the major cities.
7. Welcoming Atmosphere
The locals often make a difference to a travel experience, especially when the destination is still relatively untouched by tourism. The good news is the Uzbek people are known for being accepting of people of all backgrounds due to the country’s history of being a melting pot. Visitors report feeling welcomed and safe — this is helped by the presence of police and military on the streets, who may also contribute to the very low crime rate.
8. Accommodation Options to Suit All Budgets
You’ll definitely be able to find accommodation in your budget due to the range of options available. On the high end, you have some of the top hotels. If you want to save money, choose a guesthouse. You may also like to spend at least a night or two in a homestay to experience traditional Uzbek culture. You’ll find places both within the city for easy access to the main attractions and on the outskirts for views of the architecture.
9. Delicious Food
You may be surprised at the range of food on offer — as well as how tasty the local cuisine is. It has influences from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Russia, with typical dishes including:
- Plov — A lamb dish with rice
- Shurpa — A lamb and vegetable soup with potatoes and paprika
- Manti — A dumpling typically made of lamb or beef
Even if you have some dietary restrictions, you should find there are options available. For instance, although many Uzbek dishes contain meat, there are usually vegetarian alternatives in touristic spots.
If you visit restaurants targeting tourists, the menu will be in English, often with prices to help you choose what you want to eat. Note that the check comes with the tip included, usually set at 10% to 15%.
10. Excellent Tea
If you are a tea drinker, you may enjoy the tea in Uzbekistan even more than the food. There is a big tea-drinking culture for both black and green tea. An order will mean you receive an entire pot for at least three cups (up to as many as five). Since none of the locals drink sugar with their tea, you’ll need to ask for sugar if you want it — sometimes, it may cost extra.
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