 There is so much for a visitor to see and do in Uzbekistan and deciding on what activities and sights to fit in the time you have here will be a challenge. The Silk Road is a major draw for tourists, with Samarkand figuring in most itineraries; and Bukhara’s importance as one of the holiest of cities and its architectural gems attract many visitors as well. Outdoor activities and adventures abound: from trekking in the mountains to the south of Tashkent, to cycling on the Silk Road, to skiing and snowboarding in the western Tian-Shan, there’s something on offer for every season.
 Bukhara
Bukhara, situated west of Samarkand, was at one time a renowned Islamic centre of learning. The great Sheikh Bahautdin Nakshbandi, a central figure in the development in Sufi mysticism, lived here and today the city is home to more than 350 mosques and over 100 religious colleges. Bukhara reached its prominence in the 17th century. At its historical centre is the Shakristan, containing the Ark, or palace of the Emirs. The gatehouse survived a massive fire in the 1920s, giving an idea of the scale of the entire site. Nearby the gatehouse you can see the zindan or jail, with a display of some of the methods the Emirs used to torture their enemies.
Near the Ark, you’ll see the 154ft Kalyan Minaret or tower of death as it is locally known (as convicted criminals were thrown to their death from the tower). It was built in 1127 and is one of the very few structures to have survived the Mongol invasion. Other sites of interest include the Kalyan Mosque (open to non-Muslims) and the Ulug Beg Madrasa (the oldest one in Central Asia). As you stroll through its narrow, twisting alleys, you find that Bukhara is filled with architectural gems.
Chatkalsky Reserve
This important national park is situated in the western Tian-Shan and offers the visitor unspoilt natural vistas, a range of rare flora and fauna (such as the Berkut eagle, the rare Tian-Shan grey bear and snow tigers) and many types of outdoors activities. All of these are within a 60-mile drive of Tashkent. Ugam-Chatcal national park boasts resorts in Chimgan – complete with restaurants, saunas, playgrounds for the kids, and entertainment for the adults. Trekking, skiing and snowboarding are popular in the winter months and facilities include a chair-lift, sledge route, skiing equipment rental and training for beginners.
Khiva
Khiva, settled more than 2500 years ago, is located about 300 miles to the northeast of Bukhara and has been better preserved than either Bukhara or Samarkand. The original city walls are still standing and little has changed since the 18th century. Although the city itself has been turned into a museum, some people are starting to live here again and it’s possible to imagine the bustling market, famous for dealing in captured Persian and Russian slaves. The old city is called Ichon-Qala and is the location of all architectural monuments, such as the Kunya-Ark citadel and the Tosh-Khovli Palace, residence of the Khan. You will see the simplicity as well as the grand scale of medieval architectural forms, delicate woodcarvings, and the highly-skilled interweaving in the ornamentation. The silhouettes of towering minarets, flat roofs of clay-built houses and powerful fortress walls provide the visitor with a clear vision of a typical feudal city in Central Asia.
 Nukus
Nukus is home to the Karakalpakstan Art Museum and the State Museum. In the State Museum, you’ll see collections of artefacts from archaeological digs, traditional jewellery, costumes and musical instruments, as well as displays of endangered and extinct flora and fauna, and the ecological disaster involving the Aral Sea. The Art Museum boasts an important collection of modern Russian and Uzbek art from 1918 to 1935: in fact, it houses the most significant collection of Russian avant-garde art outside St Petersburg. Although Stalin was determined to eliminate all non-Soviet art of this period, the collection at Nukus survived largely due to the remote location of the city.
 Samarkand
Samarkand was founded more than 5000 years ago and its culture developed with a mix of Indian, Iranian and Mongolian influences along with some western influence as well. This is a majestic city that historians and poets have referred to in the past as the ‘Rome of the East, the beauty of sublunary countries, the pearl of the Eastern Moslem World’. Its location on the Silk Route led to its flourishing as one of the world’s great capitals from the 14th though the 16th century, when sea trade with China finally diminished the importance of the inland trading route.
In the centre of the historical town is Registan Square, where you’ll see three very large Islamic seminaries (madrasas) that were built during the 15th to 17th centuries. These include the well-known Shir-Dor and Tillya-Kari, which are richly decorated with blue tiles and intricate mosaics, giving a clue to the grandeur of Samarkand centuries ago.
Timur (Tamerlane), Samerkand’s most important historical figure, is buried in the Gur Emir, under the massive cupola on the ground floor, along with his descendants. Timur’s commemorative stone is reputed to be the largest piece of jade in the world.
Other sites of interest include the observatory of Ulug Beg, Timur’s grandson. It was the most advanced astronomical observatory of its time. The Afrasiab Museum, is located near the observatory, and features a frieze dating from the 6th century, depicting a train of gifts for the Sogdian ruler of the time.
 Tashkent
Although Tashkent suffered severe earthquake damage in 1966, some early buildings remain in the old town, to the west of the city centre. The narrow, winding alleys and 16th century architecture provide a stark contrast to the more modern Tashkent that was rebuilt after the earthquake. Of interest among the older buildings here are the Kukeldash Madrasa, restored as a museum and the Kaffali-Shash Mausoleum. Many Islamic sites in Tashkent (such as the Khast-Imam structure) are not open to non-Muslims. Visitors are advised to ask permission before attempting to enter a mosque or other religious building.
You’ll find museums of Uzbek and pre-Uzbek culture in the city, such as the State Art Museum, housing a collection of ceramics, paintings, and Bukharan royal robes; and the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts, featuring exhibits of reproduction antique jewellery and embroidered wall hangings. As the importance attached to historical personalities increases, museum exhibitions on prominent figures such as Amir Timur (Tamerlane) are on the increase. For other cultural offerings, you’ll find theatres in Tashkent staging performances as varied as European operas and traditional Uzbek dances and songs.
Top Things to Do
Experience ancient traditions in Baysun
This city is where you will find residents still decorating their houses with colourful embroidered coverlets and hand-crafted carpets. The women wear dresses and shoes with elaborate embroidery and painted ceramic tables and carved wooden trunks grace the interiors of the homes. In the area behind every house is a clay oven where traditional flat bread is baked. Flour for the bread is made from locally-grown grain, which is processed either manually or by water mill. Local blacksmiths still make tools and utensils that are essential to daily life. Each family, and neighbourhood maintain handicraft, social and cultural traditions, passing these on to subsequent generations.
 Trek in the mountains
For those interested in a challenge, there are a number of high peaks located in the couth of the country and for those looking for something less daunting, easier trekking is an option in the foothills. The best time of year for trekking or hiking in this area is March to November. You’ll find the hiking particularly good from the gorges and spurs of the Chatkal Range to the Chatkal Natiore Preserve, where there is a very old silver mine.
 Go for a climb
It is possible to go ice climbing on the Gissar, Matcha and Turkestan ridges; and rock climbing on vertical rock faces in the Fan Mountains and on the Matchi Ridge.
 Cycle the Silk Road
This road leads from Tashkent to Khiva, passing Lake Aidarkul. Although it can be a somewhat demanding ride and easier cycling is possible along the Ferghana Valley and the area around Tashkent, where you’ll find lovely lakes and mountain scenery.
Enjoy a night at the opera
Tashkent's Alisher Navoi Opera House is an elegant structure, situated opposite Le Meridien Hotel, featuring a foyer and rooms decorated in traditional Uzbek style. Tickets are inexpensive and alternating performances of ballet and opera are staged nightly.
Visit a walled desert city
Khiva experienced no modernisation during its more than 2000 years until the 19th century. In 1967 it was declared a ‘museum-city’ and its inhabitants were relocated, which actually resulted in the city losing much of its vibrancy and appeal. The city is slowly coming back to life again as people re-inhabit the houses within the old city walls.
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