For many Chinese, Uzbekistan is a strange yet mysterious country. As the Belt and Road Initiative advances, Uzbekistan, which plays the significant part in the Initiative is becoming the most popular outbond tourist attraction. 

Indeed, the charming beauty and diverse culture impress the visitors across the world. Samarkand, Shiva and Bukhara, “three pearls” of the Silk Road, unfolds the history of wars, destruction and rejuvenation of the country as well as the warriors folklore.   

The silk road may be one of the top reasons attracting visitors, but there are more to expect.

There are 10 top reasons to visit Uzbekistan

• The bond of culture exchange and silk road.

The silk road dates back to 138 BEC in Han dynasty through external exchange. For centuries, merchants, missionaries and conquerors traveled from Asia to Europe via Uzbekistan, bringing new cultures, religions, and craftsmanships to the country.

The ancient frontier city of Siva

Visit the ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, and Shiva. You will marvel at the Persian-style domes, traditional silk weaving methods, and ancient craft workshops for mulberry paper (the latter two techniques are passed down from China).

• Visit world cultural heritage sites

The magnificence of Samarkand is fascinating. One of the most famous monuments in Central Asia: Registan Square is located here, and three famous colleges stand on three sides. When the setting sun and the dim lights reflect the building, all history seems truly being awakened. Located in the Gul-Amir Mausoleum, the Timur Tomb, Shah Jingda Mausoleum, and the Ulubo Observatory are also great places to appreciate the view.

Visit Rekeistan plaza

• Living the histroy

Bukhara was formed in the 13th century BC and was once a large commercial center on the Silk Road. With its winding, quaint streets, bazaars and breathtaking architectural sites, it is still one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in Uzbekistan.

Visit Bukhara

Bukhara has a lot to see.The distances between the attractions ensure you have plenty of time to really enjoy the city's charms.Visitors can visit the abdurazikan college of economics, ulugbek college of economics, sijiao college of economics;The wooden ceiling of the borozzi complex is mesmerizing;You can also experience the symbol of state power in the ark fortress.At night, visitors can stroll through the ceramics and fabric market.

There are many places to see in Bukhara. The sights are not far from each other, ensuring you have plenty of time to truly enjoy the charm of this city. Visitors can visit the Abdul Razkan Academy, Ulugbek Academy, and the Four Corners Academy; The wooden ceiling of the borozzi complex is mesmerizing; they can also experience the symbol of state power at the Ark Fortress. In the evening, visitors can stroll through the ceramics and fabric market.

• Experience Soviet-style architecture in Tashkent

Uzbekistan's largest city is split in two styles. One is a tree-lined street and a square with a statue of national hero Emile Timur standing in the center. The square is surrounded by Soviet and post-Soviet-style government buildings, colleges, and hotels.

On the other side is a more modest but purer city, with a domed bazaar in the middle.Visitors can experience daily life of uzbek, with stalls selling everything from fresh fruit to traditional baked bread.Not far from the domed bazaar is the haast imam complex, home to mosques, tombs and the Koran, the most sacred manuscript in the Muslim world, compiled by khalifa osman.

Visitors can shuttle through the city by subway, appreciate the unique design of each stop.

• It is much easier than expected to travel around the country.

It just take you about 3 hours to any popular attractions along the Silk Road from Tashkent by the first high-speed train in central Asia, and the fare is just about 20 pounds (optional upgrade) . Online booking can save you time in line and allow plenty of time for security checks. Daily flights and local buses also shuttle between major cities.

• Gorgeous handicrafts
  

This is a paradise for shoppers. From painting to pottery, from carpets to dried fruits, a variety of tempting goods are on sale. Icate silk is a local specialty, and products of various designs can be found in most markets. You can buy hand-painted ceramics for just a few pounds. If you are looking for unique artwork, you may try a traditional Suzani (embroidery), which can weigh from 100 pounds to thousands of pounds due to differences in size and design.

• Enjoy the beautiful scenery

With the exception of a few locals and tourists, you can almost enjoy the view alone.It's refreshing to see a major attraction and enjoy it without being pushed around by the crowd.Uzbeks are very friendly and although few speak English, they would love to know what you think of their country, so be prepared for small talk.Beyond mosques and mausoleum cities, uzbekistan has a diverse landscape: rivers, forests, deserts, and mountains which are prime destinations for hikers.You can contact local travel agencies to arrange activities: overnight tent camp, looking up at the stars, enjoying nomadic life.

• No filter is needed

No filter is needed, Uzbekistan naturally comes with perfect color composition. From the magnificent buildings of Rekistan Square to the colorful Uzbek costumes, you will see beautiful pictures on Instagram everywhere. The gorgeous blue-green architecture will definitely impressed the tourists.

• Enjoy a meat feast

Uzbekistan has a lot of cattle, so most of its cuisine comes with meat. A meal usually consists of several dishes: a salad, then a soup, a main course, and a dessert. You can taste specialty pilaf (made with rice, meat, carrots and spices), grilled buns and cumin shish kebab. The local bazaar is a great place to sample homemade delicacies, sweets and pastries.

We kindly remind you that the best time to visit Uzbekistan is April-May and September-October, because the climate was pleasant and the average temperature was around 20 degrees. Visitors had better contact the consulate or embassy in advance to apply for a visa. All visitors must register at the hotel within 72 hours of arrival in Uzbekistan. Please keep the registration form and hand it to the customs before departure. Also, when traveling in Uzbekistan please do not talk about politics in public. In addition,people here is very friendly and hospitable, and their smiles will definitely warm your heart.

【Please contact Smith for more details.】