On our way from India to Russia, we also included Uzbekistan in our journey. This region has always intrigued me, and it fit perfectly into our route to Russia. There's a direct and very affordable flight from Delhi to Shymkent. Although Shymkent is in Kazakhstan, it's very close to the Uzbekistan border. The distance from Shymkent to Tashkent is only about 130 km. We paid only 49 EUR per person for the flight from Delhi to Shymkent, while flights from Delhi to Tashkent cost around 250 EUR per person. From Shymkent, there are buses that go either to the border or directly to Tashkent. We didn't want to bother with finding a bus, so we hitchhiked to the border. We crossed the border on foot and then continued to Tashkent by bus.
This way, we had our breakfast in Delhi, our lunch in Kazakhstan under an apricot tree, and we were already in the capital of Uzbekistan for dinner!
Photo: Upon arrival in Kazakhstan, we immediately went into the supermarket and bought items for our picnic - Ayran, local bread, and cheese. Some delicious apricots came directly from the tree as well 🙂
Photo: Of course, the road in the picture is not the road to Tashkent! This is just a view from the window. The road that connects Shymkent and Tashkent is in very good condition!
Photo: This is what the region looks like, at least in the summer.
Tashkent
The city is very clean, everything is so well-maintained! It's especially noticeable if you're coming from India! Tashkent has many nice and very clean hotels at a good price. You can get a nice double room with a private bathroom and breakfast included for 20-30 EUR.
Do I need a visa to travel to Uzbekistan?
Since January 15, 2019, German citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Uzbekistan for both tourist and business purposes. Travelers only need to present a valid passport that remains valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date.
Photo: Uzbekistan is, by the way, the treasury of ceramic art. Uzbekistan's potters use a unique cobalt blue color to create beautiful ceramic items like plates, vases, and bowls.
Photo: This artisanal heritage has been passed down through generations and has become an important part of Uzbek culture.
Photo: In Tashkent, the "Center of Islamic Culture" is being built. The construction site is gigantic, and it is intended to become the largest cultural center in Islam.
Are there direct flights from Germany to Uzbekistan?
Yes, Uzbekistan Airways operates direct flights, but they can be expensive in my opinion.
The prices in Uzbekistan
The Uzbek currency is called the SUM, and it's worth very little. One million SUM is not even 100 EUR. We found the country as a whole to be quite affordable.
In the cities, we used taxis a lot (Yandex Taxi via app), which was very cheap.
There are also shared taxis that run between places and can be found near every bus station. The prices for these are also very reasonable. We used one from Bukhara to Samarkand, and the price for a nearly 4-hour drive (270 km) was 7.70 EUR per person (with 4 passengers in a car). A bus for this route costs 5.80 EUR.
How is the public transportation system in Uzbekistan?
The public transportation system in Uzbekistan is well-developed and offers various options for getting around the country.
The country also has good train connections between major cities. We found the trains to be very comfortable and clean. Again, the prices were very reasonable. For the journey from Tashkent to Samarkand, we paid about 7 EUR per person. For the journey from Samarkand to Bukhara, it was around 8 EUR per person. The Uzbek Railways have a user-friendly website where you can easily book tickets yourself.
The food was also good and reasonably priced. Fresh fruits and vegetables in small shops or at the market were comparable in price to Southeast Asia (very affordable, as of June 2023). A meal in a restaurant cost us about 10 EUR for the two of us (but please note that we are vegetarian and do not consume alcohol or soft drinks).
Photo: Tashkent - Samarkand
Photo: This is the train station in Tashkent. Very modern and clean.
Samarkand was truly a gem on our route in 2023. A clear recommendation from us!
Samarkand houses the remains of the ancient city of Afrasiab, founded in the 6th century BC. This archaeological site contains fascinating relics of past civilizations, including wall paintings, coins, and ceramics.
Samarkand was a significant trade center along the Silk Road. The city was strategically located on important trade routes that stretched from China through Central Asia to the Middle East, and it was a hub of vibrant trade activities. It was a very wealthy city, and its historical significance is evident in its architecture and heritage. Very interesting from a historical perspective!
In Samarkand, there are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which is quite remarkable for a relatively small city. We stayed very centrally, right next to the Registan Square, which is one of these three UNESCO sites.
The Registan is one of the most spectacular squares in Samarkand and one of the most famous architectural masterpieces in Central Asia. Frankly, for me, it's one of the most impressive religious sites I've ever seen. In addition to the mosques, there is also an ancient university. All of them are impressive architectural monuments with intricate tilework and craftsmanship. A beautiful example of Timurid Islamic architecture.
Photo: This was sort of a student dormitory! Students used to live in these rooms. Not bad 😉
Don't miss the music and light show that takes place every evening at 9 PM at the Registan! It's like being part of a 1001 Nights fairy tale! (In the summer, it started at 9 PM, and the times might vary in winter. Check at the ticket counter).
Here's a brief glimpse of the light show, which, of course, can only provide a small taste of the atmosphere there.
The pilgrimage site Shah-i-Zinda is the second UNESCO World Heritage Site in Samarkand and a fascinating and significant historical site in Uzbekistan. Shah-i-Zinda, which literally means "the living king," is a complex of mausoleums and shrines that are among the oldest and most important Muslim holy places.
Photo: Shah-i-Zinda
The complex consists of a series of magnificent mausoleums built for members of the royal family and significant figures of the past. The architecture of the mausoleums is truly impressive, with all the domes and mosaics.
Photo: Shah-i-Zinda
How safe is it to travel to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is a relatively safe travel destination with a low crime rate. In recent years, the government has made significant efforts to ensure the safety of tourists. Both of us felt safe in the country at all times of the day.
The Shah-i-Zinda pilgrimage site is an important place of prayer and devotion for Muslims from around the world. Faithful pilgrims come here to visit the tombs of the saints, pray, and seek blessings.
The site is one of the most visited attractions in all of Uzbekistan.
Photo: The monument of Tamerlane in the center of Samarkand
Photo: Tamerlane's Tomb
Inside, everything is decorated and gilded. When it comes to the interior of the mausoleum, not even the Taj Mahal can compete.
There's a very interesting legend about Tamerlane's grave. Originally, he was supposed to be buried in his birthplace, Shahrisabz. However, since he died in winter, the journey over the mountains to Shahrisabz was very difficult. Therefore, he was temporarily buried in Samarkand. When they wanted to relocate the grave to Shahrisabz in the spring, an oracle said that it must not be done under any circumstances. The oracle warned, "Whoever opens Tamerlane's grave will face a catastrophe - there will be a gigantic war!" For many decades, nobody dared to open the grave. That was until Stalin decided to do so. It was part of an archaeological investigation conducted by a group of Soviet archaeologists. Tamerlane's grave was opened on June 21, 1941. And! The very next day, on June 22, 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union!
Bukhara
While Samarkand is known for its blue tiles and impressive architecture, Bukhara looks quite different. Bukhara is smaller and not as fancy as Samarkand, but it has its own architectural features, such as the use of terracotta and bricks.
Photo: This is exactly where the Silk Road used to pass through!
Bukhara was also an important trading center on the Silk Road. Caravans from the Middle East, Central Asia, India, and China passed through the city.
Bukhara has a vibrant tradition of craftsmanship, and the city's bazaars offer colorful carpets, ceramics, silk products, jewelry, and more to visitors. At very high prices! 🙂 Authenticity of the carpets can also be challenging to verify. It's lovely to look at, but personally, I wouldn't buy anything expensive there.
What still interests me in Uzbekistan is the Aral Sea. The mostly dried-up "sea" where rusted ships are stuck in the sand... We didn't make it there this time. It was very hot for that desert adventure even in June. Someday, we will come back and explore that region more thoroughly!
If any of you are planning a trip to Asia, consider a stopover in Uzbekistan. In my view, the country is underrated in terms of tourism, so it's not yet overcrowded and remains very authentic. Plus, you can fly very affordably further east from the neighboring Shymkent Airport.
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