The history of Uzbekistan is inseparably linked with the ancient caravan route known worldwide as the Great Silk Road. Major cities of Uzbekistan are the pearls of the Great Silk Road. Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan has been the destination of big adventurers like Alexander the Great, Chenghiz Khan and Marco Polo. Uzbekistan has more historical places than most other countries in the world, its numerous ancient monuments, rich nature and history attracts the whole world’s attention. Definitely, it is one of the most unique and unusual destinations that is worth traveling to.
HOW TO DRESS IN UZBEKISTAN
Although Islam is the main religion of the country, Uzbekistan is a secular state. Women don’t wear the veil, so you don’t have to cover your whole body as in other Muslim countries. I will recommend using knee-length skirts and t-shirts that cover your shoulders. Traditional clothes are beautiful and very colorful and you can buy them for a few dollars in any market. Hospitality and kindness are characteristic features of the Uzbek people. The coexistence of various ethnicities, cultures, and religions make Uzbekistan a perfect place for solo female travelers and unwanted attention is not a problem at all in Uzbekistan.
PLANNING A TRIP TO UZBEKISTAN
In Uzbekistan, there are two exchange rates: the official one and the street exchange. You can exchange your money officially at the bank but for better rates, you need to exchange at the black market. All prices, including food, drinks, accommodation, and souvenirs use the black market exchange rate. You can exchange money in any market or place you are staying. I suggest bringing all your money in US dollars because they are easy to exchange and because ATMs normally do not work. As well, when you enter Uzbekistan you have to declare the money you have with you and when you leave you can’t have more money than when you entered.
When traveling in Uzbekistan, you need to be registered by hotels or other licensed places to stay. Every day, your hostel/hotel will give you a registration paper saying you are staying there. Take care of those small pieces of paper because police officers will ask for them when you leave the country. Most of the hotels will refuse to register you when you don’t have previous registration papers.
Related: A Complete Guide to Uzbekistan
TRAVELING AROUND UZBEKISTAN
Traveling around Uzbekistan is easier than you think and very safe. The transport options have improved a lot and you will find shared taxis and bus services in all the cities. Trains connect the major cities and you can buy tickets at the station or online. Security is tight so arrive at the station in good time. As well, in the capital city of Tashkent you can move around using the metro.
PLACES TO VISIT IN UZBEKISTAN
1) SAMARKAND
“Samarkand, the most beautiful face the Earth has ever turned towards the sun.” ~ Amin Maalouf
As soon as I arrived to Tashkent I took a train to Samarkand. Samarkand is located at the heart of the Silk Road’s cultural crossroads. Alexander the Great visited in 329BC and declared: “Everything I have heard about Samarkand is true, except it is even more beautiful than I had imagined.” I stayed in Bahodir Hostel located 3 minutes walking from Registan Square. Registan was a public square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations and it was the heart of the Silk Road. Nearby this square you will find the Siyab bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in Samarkand. Still today it is the center of the public life.
Around Registan you will find the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble which includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings of 9-14th and 19th centuries. A masterpiece of the oriental architecture that you can’t miss is the Gur-i-amir mausoleum of the asian conqueror Amir Temur who is officially recognized as a national hero in Uzbekistan.
2) BUKHARA
The blessed city Bukhara is one of the oldest cities in the world. Uzbeks believe that upon all Muslim cities, the blessed light descended from heaven and only over Bukhara it rises to the sky.
I recommend you to stay in a hostel near the Historic Centre of Bukhara which is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Bukhara is well known because of its mosques and madrassas. The most important ones are Char Minar, Kalon Mosque, Abdul Aziz Khan Medressa, Mir-i-Arab Medressa. As well, the city is famous because of its Ark Fortress which had always been the protection and support for the rulers in Bukhara. Inside you can see a very interesting art and history museum. The city is home to the most skilled artisans and it is the best place to buy some souvenirs. Ceramic art is very popular in Uzbekistan and jewelry art has a long tradition.
3) KHIVA
Khiva is known as an open air museum. Poets and philosophers who lived or visited Khiva once called it the Pearl of the World. Hostel Laliopa is a good option to stay because it is right in front of the main gate to see the unique town in the middle of the desert that has completely preserved the cultural style of the region. There are so many mosques, mausoleums, minarets and madrassas crammed in the historic town of Khiva that you will need more than a whole day to see everything.
4) TASHKENT
I finished my trip in Tashkent. It is a big city that combines modernity and antiquity. I stayed in Sunrise Caravan Stay and move around using the metro. You can visit Kukeldash Madrassah, the most well known historical monument in Tashkent and the Hazrati-Imam Square located in the historical part of the city.
Before leaving Uzbekistan don’t forget to try the main dishes. Uzbek cuisine is considered the richest cuisine of Central Asia. Food is simply delicious. The main dish is called plov, typically made with rice, pieces of meat, grated carrots and onions. Other notable national dishes include shurpa, a soup made of large pieces of meat and fresh vegetables.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Uzbekistan. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Our Top Places To Stay In Samarkand, Uzbekistan:
- Platan Hotel
- L’Argamak Hotel
- DiliMah Hotel
- Hotel GalaOsiyo
- Find the best price on hotels in Samarkand
- Sign up to AirBnB with this link and receive a US $35 off your first booking
Read More About Central Asia
- A Complete Guide To Uzbekistan
- A Girl’s Guide To Solo Travel In Tajikistan
- Solo Travel In Pakistan
- Conquering Stigmas: Travelling Solo Through The Silk Road
By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Alessia Ramponi
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Dani Nurick says
Thank you so much, I’ve been looking to go to Uzbekistan for a long time! What were prices like there?
cengiz selçok says
Maybe one day ;)
amanda says
some fantastic photos – and how good are some of those beautiful buildings as backdrops for shots of you!! I will definitely be heading to Uzbekistan one day soon!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for your comments Amanda! Glad you liked the post and it has inspired you to visit Uzbekistan!
ChristineG says
Hi there, thanks for the info! I might just dare go there by myself! :)
Now, did you get a guide or guides at any point? I just don’t want to wander around without any info, I want to know … everything!
Becky van Dijk says
Thanks for reading Christine, glad you are inspired to visit Uzbekistan. This post was written by one of our contributors Alessia Ramponi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alessia.ramponi/ > perhaps you can contact her directly with any questions and she may be able to advise you on your travels there. Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Nargiza says
As an uzbek girl living abroad, I’m very happy to read this post. Thank you Alessia, for visiting Uzbekistan and I’m happy you’ve enjoyed your stay. I visit Uzbekistan during my summer holidays and every time I’m dazzled by my own country . People who want to visit Uzbekistan, just for your information. : you can no more exchange your money at black markets, it became illegal. There’s no more huge difference between rates at the banks and black market. If you need more information, feel free :)
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Nargiza, and thank you for sharing some updated information and tips! Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Imogen Rolfe says
Thanks for your post! I recently completed a trip to Uzbekistan and reading up on your experience was a great help while planning mine out. Such a beautiful country and hope to visit again.
Happy travels!
Imogen
Eldor says
Hi Girls,
I’m very glad that you have visited my country and enjoyed, also some of you interested to visit!
FYI, it’s much easier to get a visa these days and cheaper, just need to apply for E-Visa($20) within 3 days all applications will be responded.
Thanks,
Eldor
Alannah says
Beautiful photos! I am so excited to visit next month… I will also travel straight to Samarkand once I arrive in Tashkent and am wondering how did you got from the airport to the train station? Also, is the train station in Samarkand centrally located? Thank you!
kikin says
Hi, i`m from Malaysia. I’m muslim. Iwant to visit Uzbeckistan this Disember. How can I contact u.
Sarah says
Hi, Thank you so much for this travel guide. I am looking to travel the three stans, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikstan in September, and whilst I don’t have an issue solo travelling if it were just Uzbekistan, I am a little conscious about doing all three solo. I have been told that a) getting from one country to the next is a bit difficult but then also travelling within Turkmenistan and Tajikstan is not like Uzbekistan. Therefore going solo might not be the best way.
Do you have any experience in this?
Mutlu says
I’d like to visit Uzbekistan but I read somewhere. it is difficult to get a tourist visa or maybe I am mixing up with another country. but anyways great photos.