There are more than enough fascinating things to do and see in Uzbekistan, and I should know; I lived there for about 5 years and got to see most of them! However, I’ve been tasked to list the top 5 sites that are the most interesting for tourists. This is not easy and I discussed this with the Director General of Roxana Tour, Rakhmadjon, that it’s impossible to list only five. But now that I’ve given it some thought – a lot of thought – I decided to relent to his request and put my best foot forward. Just between you and me, I’m not going to number this list. Also, I reserve the right to revise this list at a later date.

So, here we go!

Samarkand
As far as archaeologists can tell us, Samarkand has been around since 700 B.C. This means that it has seen its share of ups and downs, which has only added a sense of mysticism when you roam its streets. Once it was centrally located on the Great Silk Road which made it the focal point for trade, philosophy, and religion. The Registan easily matches the hype that it receives; it is one of the most awesome, majestic, stunning, magnificent, historical…well, I think you understand what I’m trying to say. When you come to Uzbekistan, you must see the Registan.

Bukhara
Archaeologists tell us that this ancient city has been around since 600 B.C., and it once was the leading place to go for Islamic studies during the golden age of the Samanids. During the heyday of the Great Silk Road, it was a vital link for traders. Today, Bukhara is full of architectural wonders, mostly madrassas and mosques, which are within walking distance of each other. But for me, the most striking edifice is the Ark, a fortress that was constructed shortly after the city’s founding. What you see today is not the original fort, and most recently it suffered great damage by the Soviets in 1920. Nevertheless, it remains a testimony to the architectural style of that era for defensive purposes. Exploring the interior of the Ark will provide you with an idea of the amount of planning that was required to build this structure.

Khiva
Much like Bukhara, Khiva was founded in 600 B.C. Designated as an open-air museum; Itchan Kala (inner fortress) has 50 historic monuments to choose from. In 1991, Itchan Kala was the first site in Uzbekistan to be added to the United Nations’ World Heritage List. For my money, the Kalta Minor Minaret is the most outstanding and riveting site in Khiva. What’s more, it was never even completed! The story behind it was that when the architect finished his work in Khiva, he received orders from the Khan in Bukhara to build an identical one in that city. However, the Khan of Khiva was not interested in sharing this architectural wonder with anyone, so he secretly ordered the murder of the architect when the work was completed. Somehow, the architect found out about this plan and fled Khiva before the completion of the minaret. Hence, the minaret stands as it is today in its entire, albeit abbreviated, splendor.

Moynak

I grew up on the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan, and I was always close to the natural beauty it gave me every day. But when I came to the Aral Sea for the first time in 1999, I was afforded the opportunity to compare and contrast the differences between these bodies of water. The Aral Sea is the result of two mighty rivers, the Amu Darya and Sirdarya that flow into it. In the 1960s, Soviet engineers were ordered to divert water from these rivers to irrigate the nearby cotton fields to meet the growing demand for raw cotton. As a result, the amount of water that reached the Aral Sea began to decline to the point of what we see today. The recession of the sea from its level in 1960s can be seen easily once the original shoreline is approached. What can’t be seen is the water, for it has receded well beyond our view. Instead, all one can see are the rusted hulls of abandoned fishing boats from days gone by. My experience was one of the most eerie of my life, and I think its effect on you would be the same.

Tashkent
Welcome to the biggest bazaar in Central Asia! The Chorsu Bazaar is located on the south side of the city’s old town, and while it is difficult to assess how many years it’s been in operation, chances are good that it’s been here for the past 2,000 years when Tashkent was founded. The photo below doesn't provide the full perception of what goes on underneath those domes. If you need to anything, there’s an excellent chance you can find it at this bazaar. The cacophony of the sellers and buyers, the colors of the fruit and fabrics, and the smells of fresh fruit and kabobs (shashlik) cooking on the grill will send you reeling. It is one of the best spots in Central Asia to capture the sites of this ageless market.

Posted by Greg Stephenson