Tashkent – A City of Contrasts

Tashkent, a city that combines a rich history, delightful cuisine, and warm hospitality. Whether you're attracted to its diverse architecture, rich cultural heritage, ancient markets, or the bustling life of a metropolis—Tashkent has something to offer every traveler.

Why Tashkent?
If you need one word to describe Tashkent, it would be "diversity." Here, you will find historical monuments, modern entertainment centers, and a true gastronomic paradise. Walking through its streets, you will feel how the past and present intertwine, creating a unique atmosphere. And don't forget to try Uzbek cuisine: plov, samsa, and lagman!

Main attractions:
The architecture of Tashkent is unique in its diversity. It will take you on a journey through eras and tell you how the city was formed, introducing you to the stories kept in each historical monument. From Soviet modernism and Turkestan architecture to modern European-style complexes with summer terraces and boutiques, from ancient cities to museums and theaters.

Eastern architecture 

One of the most significant and revered places in Uzbekistan is the Hast Imam religious complex. The complex consists of several ancient madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums, each with its unique history and architectural features.

On the territory of the ensemble, storks nest, and a traditional cooling drink from dried fruits "sharbat" is sold—it will help you catch your breath and go for a walk in the old city, where narrow streets and old clay houses with carved wooden doors will take you into the past.

Kukeldash Madrasah is one of the largest and most significant madrasahs in Tashkent. It is adjacent to the Hast Imam complex and is surrounded by legends. For many centuries, the madrasah served as a center of religious education and enlightenment, where young people studied the Quran, Islamic law, and other sciences. The facade opens with an elegant entrance portal almost 20 meters high, decorated with traditional mosaics and carvings, giving it a majestic and mysterious look. The inner courtyard, surrounded by classrooms and a mosque, immerses you in an atmosphere of calm and tranquility.

Soviet Modernism 

The Palace of Friendship of Peoples, built in 1981, is currently a cultural center for various events, concerts, and conferences, and the Uzbekistan Hotel, which appeared in 1974, is very similar to the Moscow Cosmos Hotel.

Turkestan architecture 

The Center for Contemporary Art, where the first diesel station in Tashkent was located in 1912, which powered the city's tram line, today allows you to touch the creations of contemporary artists. Also, pay attention to the Palace of Prince Romanov—a graceful building richly decorated with carved lattices, unusually shaped windows, towers, and other decorative elements.

The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: the main Catholic church in Uzbekistan in the classic Gothic style typical of European churches. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Apostolic Administration and is considered active.

Independence Square: the main square of the city, a place for walks and city events.

Chorsu Bazaar: its name translates from Persian as "four paths"—it was here during the Great Silk Road that all the trade routes of the East intersected. Today it is one of the oldest and largest markets in Central Asia, where you can try national delicacies and buy souvenirs.

Museum of Fine Arts: the museum's collection includes over 50,000 exhibits. The oldest of them are works of ancient culture and archaeological artifacts from ancient cities. The section of decorative and applied art of Uzbekistan presents items made of ceramics, wood carving, and ganch, artistic embroidery and fabrics, embossing, jewelry, carpet weaving, reflecting the history and ancient cultural traditions of Uzbekistan. You will also find works of fine and decorative arts from Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England.

Tashkent TV Tower: a symbol of the city and one of the tallest structures in Central Asia, offering breathtaking views of Tashkent.

Alisher Navoi State Academic Big Theatre: an architectural and cultural monument built in 1939, framed by a park square with numerous colorful flower beds, trees, a musical fountain, and a ceramic park with modern-style statues. It is the leading opera and ballet theater in Uzbekistan and an excellent example of the intertwining of national and European styles.

Ilkhom Theatre: the first independent theater in Uzbekistan in the building of the Youth House, built in 1976 in the style of Soviet modernism. The theater lobby hosts exhibitions of contemporary and social art, and its repertoire allows you to delve into history through the prism of modernity.

Ming Urik Archaeological Site Museum: a unique elevation, the name of which translates literally as "a thousand apricots." The miraculously preserved part of an ancient settlement, dating back to the first century AD, is located in the city center and is one of the largest archaeological monuments of the late antiquity and early Middle Ages on the territory of Tashkent.

Tashkent City: the largest park area in Uzbekistan. Among modern buildings, a congress hall, and the Hilton hotel, there are green areas for walking, the largest fountain in the country, a planetarium, and for shopping enthusiasts, the Tashkent City Mall. The variety of European, Turkish, and Uzbek cuisine and a large selection of establishments to suit all tastes will be appreciated by any gourmet.

When to visit?
The best time to visit Tashkent is spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is most comfortable for walks and excursions. Summers can be very hot, and winters quite cold, which may limit your exploration of the city.

Where to go from Tashkent?
Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva will transport you to the past with centuries-old monuments and reveal the secrets of history. Guides and locals will immerse you in the atmosphere of ancient cities and Islamic architecture, happily guide you through secret places, tell you street stories and daily life, and immerse you in cultural and traditional features. Including visits to historical cities in your Uzbekistan travel plan is the best decision that will leave pleasant memories and make your vacation unforgettable.

Must-Do in Tashkent:
Start with the rich cuisine of Uzbekistan at the Besh Qozon Plov Center, where you will have the opportunity to observe the process of cooking chayhana and wedding plov in cauldrons with a capacity of over three tons.

Visit the famous Tashkent metro, especially the stations Kosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi, Paxtakor, Gafur Gulom.

Explore the city and its unique stories on the audio tour "Speaking Tashkent."

Immerse yourself in the past by walking around Hast Imam Square and the mahallas of the old city, where narrow streets will take you on a journey through "Tashkent Venice."

Visit the Minor Mosque, the Catholic Church, the German Kirka, the Buddhist Temple, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Cathedral Church—Tashkent is diverse and embraces all religions.

Flight times to Tashkent
Here are approximate flight times from major cities:

Dubai to Tashkent: 3 h 30 m
Tbilisi to Tashkent: 3 h
Tel Aviv to Tashkent: 4 h 30 m
Guangzhou to Tashkent: 6 h
Doha to Tashkent: 3 h 30 m
Salalah to Tashkent: 4 h

Visa requirements for travel to Tashkent
Before flying to Tashkent, make sure you have all the necessary documents:

Citizens of 90 countries can enter Uzbekistan without a visa, but registration is required. You can get it at the hotel, guesthouse, or hostel where you plan to stay. On the day of departure, registration must be valid to avoid fines.

Tourist Visa: many countries have a visa-free regime for up to 30 days.

Transit Visa: if your flight has a layover in Tashkent for more than five days and you want to leave the airport, you may need a transit visa. Check the list of countries whose citizens need this procedure.

Business Visa: for business visits, a business visa is required, which can be arranged through the employer or the hosting company.

Obtain a tourist or business visa online through the Uzbekistan E-visa portal if you are in a country that allows simplified visa issuance, and familiarize yourself with visa validity periods if necessary.

For more detailed information on visa application, list of documents, and travel abroad procedures, contact the Embassy of Uzbekistan in your country. 

We are confident that a vacation in Tashkent will be a true journey through history, introducing you to both the enchanting past and modern life, with a unique cultural code, kindness, and hospitality that will fill you with vivid impressions and emotions for a long time.