TASHKENT:
- Hazrat Imam complex a.k.a Khast Imam (centre of city) 9am-9pm everyday
- Kulkedash Madrasah and Dzuma Mosque
- Hoja Ahror Valiy Mosque
- Chorsu Bazaar 5am-8pm everyday
- Shota Rustaveli St, SE of Grand Mir Hotel (Soviet era tower blocks w/ beautiful mosaics)
- Sailgokh St (see local culture)
- Kolkouz Canal (narrow alleyways of Old Tashkent)
- Minor Mosque (Little Ring Road on edge of Ankhor canal). Open 24/7
- Chigatay Cemetery then cross Nurafshon St at Farobi St and walk along Kolkouz Canal to Hazrati Imam complex
- ride the Tashkent Metro (the stations are all unique and beautiful). Single journeys 2,000SOM and ticket is valid as long as you stay within metro system. Start at Chorsu Metro Stn on red line to Gafur Gulum, then to Pakhtakor. Change to red line to Mustakillik Maydoni. Change to green line to Bodomzor.
- Eat at Besh Qozon (local spot where you’ll see men stirring giant pots of rice)
- Caravan is a budget-friendly restaurant with traditional food and live music. Try the manti (Central Asian dumplings)
- Afsona is a budget, modern restaurant with terrace and live music
- dinner at Koftec Ismail (great food and excellent service)
BUKHARA:
- Bolo Hauz Mosque (outside inner city, opposite the citadel of Ark)
- Ark of Bukhara (fortress)
- Toqi Telpak Furushon (bazaar in town centre)
- Chor Minor madrasah: historic gatehouse (30 mins walk from town centre)
- Po-I-Kaylan Ensemble (courtyard surrounded by Kaylan minaret, Miri Arab Madrassah and Kaylan Mosque). Most beautiful area of Bukhara. *Best time to visit Kaylan Mosque is at sunrise. If you go earlier than opening time you can visit for free.
- Best place for sunset is from upper terrace of Cafe Chasmai Mirob located at corner of square
- Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Ulugbek Madrassah
- Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah
- Navid Divan-begi Madrassah
- Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah (town centre)
- early morning visit to Animal Market. Open Sundays 3am-9am. Ask taxi to take you to Molbazaar
- Have tea and snack at Silk Road Teahouse
- Eat at Minzifia (has a beautiful courtyard)
- Sunset at Cafe Chasmai Mirob for view of Po-I-Kaylan
SAMARKAND:
- *Shah-I-Zinda (cemetery w/ colourful mosaics). Open 7am-7pm. A must-visit. Do NOT take photos next to the tombstones or sit on them. Best time to visit is just before sunset or when it first opens
- Siyob Bazaar 5am-7pm, closed Monday
- Hazrat Khizr Mosque (don’t bother going inside but walk up hill to see panoramic view of the city). 8am-6pm
- Ulugh Beg Observatory (a.k.a Ulug Bek). Take bus #45, #99 or #17 from stop across the street from Hazrat Khizr Mosque. 9am-7pm
- Gur-Emir-Mausoleum (a.k.a. Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Complex). Best time to visit is as soon as it opens to avoid crowds. 8am-5pm
- Tilla-Kari Mosque (in Registan complex). 8am-9pm
- *Sherdor Madrasaah (in Registan complex)
- *Climb the Sherdor Madrasah’s minaret. Ask the guard if you can climb up (pay 80.000UZS). Steep and narrow. Small platform with view of Registan
- *Registan complex is THE central square. Visit at opening to avoid crowds. Evening is also beautiful when all the buildings are illuminated. Daily light show at 9pm during late spring to early autumn. *Pro tip! If you enter the Registan 15 mins prior to closing, they’ll let you stay at least 1 hour longer. Perfect time for photos of buildings lit up. 8am-7pm
- Bibi Khanym Mosque (usually not too crowded). 8am-7pm
- Lunch at Bibikhanum Teahouse
- Food at Labi G’or is good local food and restaurant is across the street from Registan
- Cafe Magistr has Uzbek & Western food at budget prices
TIPS
- very safe country to visit as a solo female traveller and locals super friendly
- Students will stop you and ask to practice English
- download Yandex Taxi or Yoko Yaki app before leaving home. Allows you to order a taxi and shows the rate in advance. Saved hassle of bargaining
- Uzbekistan is conservative so dress appropriately (no cleavage, short dresses or shorts). Cover shoulders, knees and head when visiting mosques and mausoleums
- avoid drinking tap water despite it being generally safe. Water pipes are very old and water can cause stomach issues
- Easy to drive around Uzbekistan with most roads in good condition although avoid driving at night as roads unlit and animals out
- Buses and trains are great way to travel
- Plov is the most popular dish and consists of rice, mutton, onions, carrots and raisins cooked in sheep fat
- Spring and Autumn are high tourist season but better temperatures
- Uzbek and Russian are main languages although a lot more people speak English now
- For medical care go to Tashkent International Clinic. Had a few English speaking doctors.
- Dial 103 for ambulance from cellphone
