Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan may not be at the top of most people’s travel lists. However, the fascinating Central Asian country has a lot to offer. There are many places to visit in Uzbekistan. From its Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the many palaces and museums, it is home to four significant UNESCO World Heritage sites you cannot miss.

1. Registan Square, Samarkand

Samarkand’s Registan Square was once called one of the most beautiful squares in the world, and it’s easy to see why. This public square was the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand during the Timurid dynasty. It is known for its beautiful Islamic architecture and three imposing madrassas. In Tajik, Registan translates to “sandy place”.

2. Gul Emir

This mile-long beach, on Pasikudah Bay, is perfect for swimming and wading. The surf is gentle, and the beach area is protected by a reef (many beaches in Sri Lanka have very rough surf). The water is also shallow, allowing you to walk out into the ocean for hundreds of yards. The sand is bright white and soft, with fine grains, and the beach is lined with coconut trees. This area is just starting to be discovered for luxury resort development.

3. Amir Timur Museum, Tashkent

The Amir Timur Museum in Tashkent is dedicated to the Mongol conqueror, Timur. It was opened in the capital, Tashkent, in 1996 after the country gained independence. The museum has over 5,000 exhibits artefacts related to Timur and the dynasty that followed him, the Timurid Dynasty. The building itself is meant to resemble the Gur-e Amir mausoleum in Samarkand.

4. Chor Minor, Bukhara

This historic mosque located to the northeast of Bukhara was built in the 18th century by a rich merchant, Khalif Niyazkul. The four minarets for which the mosque is named (Chor Minor literally means “four minarets”) symbolize the four cardinal points. They each also feature unique decorations.

5. Lyab-i-Hauz, Bukhara

Built in the 1600s, the Lyab-i Hauz is a serene plaza built around one of the few remaining ponds (hauz) in Bukhara. The pond itself is fed by an ancient canal system and is surrounded by beautiful mulberry trees. To the south of the Lyab-i-Hauz lies the historic Jewish Quarter of the city.

6. The Walled City of Khiva

The ancient city of Khiva, also known as Khorasam, is over 2,000 years old. The walled inner city Itchan Kala, was the first Uzbek site added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Encircled by crenellated brick walls, it is full of fascinating places and historic monuments. Entering the walled city is like going back in time.

7. Zindan of Emir, Bukhara

“Zindan” means prison in Persian, and this prison, built in the 18th century was used to house criminals and dissenters during the Bukhara Emirate. Able to house up to 40 prisoners, the brick structure also has a circular pit. After the fall of Bukhara Emirate in 1920, the Zindan of Emir ceased to operate, and was eventually turned into a museum.