Uzbekistan

Places of Attraction

Uzbekistan is a unique country with ancient cities where every attraction here has its own deep history, every stone is a witness to incredible events and adventures, scientific discoveries and achievements, palace intrigues, the decline of old and the development of new states. Time passes, people leave, but they remain like eternal guardians of days gone by.

Food and cuisine

In contrast to the Roman proverb “In vino veritas”, let’s say: “Truth is still in food”

Uzbek people love delicious food. Here are 7 facts about food in Uzbekistan:

1. The most delicious bread – in Uzbekistan

2.  Many Uzbek dishes are cooked on an open fire (hearth)

3. In Uzbekistan, it is usual to consume fatty and high-calorie foods

4. Uzbeks drink hot tea after eating

5. Uzbeks eat lamb, beef and horsemeat (horse sausage – kazi)

6. In Uzbekistan, guests are greeted with fragrant tea and local bread’s brocken for them, and eventually are escorted with delicious pilaf (ricy local dish)

7. A special tea ceremony (a bowl of hot tea is poured into the teapot three times, and on the fourth is served to the guest)

Each Uzbek guest always leaves full and satisfied, and surely with gifts. So: Welcome to tasty Uzbekistan!

Shopping and souvenirs

To get better acquainted with the culture and life uzbek people, be sure to go to the local bazaar. The bazaar is a another outstanding world where the whole color of the people gathers. Here you can enjoy not only an abundance of various goods: souvenirs, fruits, vegetables, spices, bread, food, but also communication with people and a special, soulful atmosphere that you won’t find in any other shopping center or local hypermarket.

If you want to buy some souvenirs and gifts, be sure to visit the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, the Siab Bazaar in Samarkand or Toki-Zargaron in Bukhara. Or you can visit the workshops of ceramists in Rishtan or the Yodgorlik silk factory in Margilan – those are the real treasures of Uzbekistan.

Safety

In 2018, Uzbekistan entered the top five safest countries in the world according to the American Gallup Institute. With the observance of elementary precautions, traveling around Uzbekistan will be safe and comfortable.

If, nevertheless, you need help during the trip, there are police stations in any public place where you will be given first aid, or you can contact law enforcement agencies by calling 102. There is also a tourist police in places where tourists are most crowded, which is responsible for your safety while you are in the country.

Customs and rules

Uzbekistan is a secular country, there is no orthodox Islam widespread, but Islam is the main religion in the country. If you go to a local mosque, you should follow some rules. Restraint and respect are a must when visiting a mosque, it is best to inspect it when there is no worshipping going on there. It is also very important to note what a person is wearing: shorts, short T-shirts and miniskirts are definitely not welcome here, and women should enter the mosque with their heads covered.

Filming is not prohibited in many mosques, but during prayer, this is a kind of taboo. Usually parishioners during prayers do not pay attention to the arrivals, so as not to interrupt it.

Still if you decide to take pictures of people on the street, first of all you should ask their permission, for ethical reasons, you will almost never be refused, but it will also be somehow more comfortable and calmer when they smile at you in the frame.

In Uzbekistan, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in open public places and while driving.

Smoking in offices, healthcare facilities, educational, sports and recreational facilities, fire hazardous places, including gas stations, stadiums, squares, parks, all types of public transport and other public places is subject to a fine in the amount of 1/3 of the minimum wages.

Smoking in such places is allowed only in specially designated areas and rooms intended for this.