Top 10 Things to Do in Tashkent
Tashkent is the first city seen by most travelers arriving to Uzbekistan, and it is here that most organized tours also end. As a modern capital city, it tends to live in the shadow of touristic Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, whose historic monuments carry travelers thirsty for exoticism straight into a scene from One Thousand and One Nights. Most guidebooks will advise you to leave Tashkent as soon as possible and head toward the azure domes of the Great Silk Road cities, which is rather regrettable as Tashkent itself has many unique sites which are sure to expand your horizons and deepen your appreciation for the region.
For those looking to diversify their trip and break away from the standard tourist routes, we offer you a list of top 10 things to do in Tashkent.
1. Dine like a real Uzbek
Anyone familiar with Uzbek cuisine knows that a list of Top 10 Things to Do in Tashkent must include plov! Head to the Central Asian Plov Center at lunchtime, where a huge portion of this mouthwatering dish will be served to you on a traditional plate. To enjoy your plov like a local, be sure to eat it with fresh flatbread, pickles, tomato and onion salad (achik chuchuk) and some “Tashkent tea”, a sweetened black tea flavored with lemon. This classic and filling meal is a hit not only for its amazing taste but also its ridiculously low price, equivalent to about 7,5 USD for two portions. Although pilaf can be found at cafes all across Tashkent, nowhere are the queues longer than at Plov Center, where customers even buy the irresistible dish by the bucketful!
2. See finely preserved Islamic architecture
Almost as soon as you exit Chorsu Bazaar from its back entrance, you will be greeted by impressive examples of Islamic architecture which give the impression that you have been transported from Tashkent to Samarkand. For a small fee you can walk through the courtyard of Kukeldash Madrasah and tour the old religious school, both of which are permeated with an eastern flavor. The complex also includes a small souvenir shop with handmade carvings, and if you're lucky you can even catch the master himself at work.
3. Appreciate an evening panorama of Tashkent
Tashkent Tower is ranked as the 11th tallest TV tower in the world. Its shape resembles a space rocket ready to launch, and in the evening its spire shimmers with thousands of lights which further accentuate its fantastic form. The observation deck of Tashkent Tower is on the sixth floor, while on the seventh floor is a revolving restaurant where you can sit with a cup of tea or a mug of beer. Remember to bring your passport if you wish to ascend the tower’s heights, as everyone must show ID before being permitted entry.
4. Feel the Oriental spirit of Chorsu Bazaar
Visiting Chorsu Bazaar one of the things to do in Tashkent that you should not miss. It is a lively, boisterous market geared not toward tourists but Tashkent residents, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in local life. Although tidy rows, a massive blue dome and an expanded selection of goods have appeared in recent times, little else has changed since it was built centuries ago. Visiting the bazaar is Top of the things to do.
Chorsu’s enduring charm lies in its atmosphere as a whole, which simply arrests the senses: Counters stocked with aromatic spices, dried fruits, fresh produce, honey and freshly baked cakes evoke images from the distant past, while kiosks stocked with clothing, jewelry and perfumes line the back aisles that lead toward Kukeldash Madrasah. Amid the incessant hubbub, persuasive sellers stand ready to enter into a bargaining game as men and women hurry past, tightly squeezing the palms of fidgety children. You won’t be the only one observing your surroundings, for the wizened, wrinkled faces of elderly shoppers are sure to be as curious of you as you are of them!
5. Admire the most luxurious mosque in Tashkent
Along the picturesque bank of Ankhor Canal is Minor Mosque, an opulent new addition to Tashkent. Built to reflect a traditional Uzbek-Islamic style and designed to hold up to 2,400 people, it is now the largest mosque in the city. With its snow-white marble façade, carved wooden doors, two minarets and huge azure dome, Minor Mosque is gorgeous and unmistakable. On sunny days it shimmers in the light, giving the impression that its walls are actually glowing, while its dome appears to meld with the clear blue sky. A well-manicured garden also graces the courtyard in the front. Women may enter the mosque if their shoulders, knees and head are covered, while men have a separate entrance to the right of the courtyard.
6. See an ancient world-famous manuscript
Khast-Imam Complex, located in the Old City, includes Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tilla-Sheikh Mosque, Abubakr Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum and Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute. Its claim to fame is the world-famous Samarkand Kufic Koran (Uthman Koran), an Ottoman copy dated to the 7th century. The revered book is not only ancient but also huge, consisting of 353 large parchment sheets. For centuries it was kept in the treasuries of the caliphs in Baghdad, Damascus and Medina, and is now preserved in the Library of Oriental Manuscripts at Khast-Imam. While in Tashkent, be sure to take some time to view this ancient relic.
7. Hunt for exclusive souvenirs at Human House
Tashkent’s Human House is a cultural center, museum, souvenir shop, art gallery and café all rolled into one! Located in a stylized adobe building, the gallery stands out against the simple one-story homes in the neighborhood. The place is full of character and is a gem for anyone interested in Uzbek arts and culture. You will need to make a short detour from the main road down the mahalla (neighborhood) streets to reach it, yet it is well worth the effort.
Friendly consultants at Human House can give you a mini-tour, showing you around the multi-room shop and telling you about each product before offering you a cup of coffee and unhurried conversation. With great selections on handmade clothing, jewelry, leather products and more, it is the perfect place to do some souvenir shopping Tashkent. Human House also holds organized activities, including movie nights (in Russian), art workshops and special exhibitions.
8. Explore an underground museum
Most of the Tashkent Metro looks less like a city subway and more like a museum or ballroom. That is why you should include it in the list of things to do in Tashkent. Each of its dozens of stations have been individually designed and are thus unique from one another - some have magnificent lamps, others have ceramic paintings on the walls and still others were built with impressive arches. Most of the stations are richly decorated and lined with marble, while almost all stops on the first two metro lines (the red Chilonzor Line and blue Uzbekistan Line) are lavishly adorned with beautiful chandeliers. Many stations reflect a distinctly Soviet or classic Uzbek style, or a combination of both.
An added bonus of the metro is that it stays blissfully cool in summer and cozily warm in winter, so a self-guided tour of this “underground museum” is the perfect option when you need to escape from bad weather or recuperate from the heat . The most popular stations on the Tashkent Metro are Bodomzor, Kosmonovtlar, Alisher Navoi and Mustaqillik.
9. Taste local wine at a private winery
Visiting a winery may be among the more unusual things to do in Uzbekistan, yet it is a fabulous option if you wish to try local dry wine, experience rural life in a picturesque setting or simply get out of town for the day.
Uzumfermer is the first family winery in Uzbekistan that produces varietal wine using European technology from selected grapes. The farm includes 21 hectares of vineyards, an exotic garden, a mini-hotel, and wineries.
On a tour of Uzumfermer Family Winery you will learn the step-by-step process of winemaking, from grape selection to corking the bottles, and will be given a tour of the winery. See firsthand how the grapes are picked and where they are unloaded before ending the tour at a special stylized tasting room, where you can sample a selection of wines and light snacks in a relaxing environment.
10. Immerse yourself in the theatrical life of Tashkent
Tashkent is home to many theaters, yet among the most renowned are Mark Weil’s independent Ilkhom Theater and Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater (Bolshoi Theater), named in honor of Uzbekistan’s acclaimed 15th-century author and poet. For many years, Ilkhom's performances have been in demand not only in Tashkent but all over the world. While Bolshoi Theater has long been Uzbekistan’s leading theater, its performances have reached a whole new level under the guidance of its most recent director, famous Latvian dancer and producer Andris Liepa. Ilkhom offers many original, informal performances, while Bolshoi Theater specializes in classical opera and ballet masterpieces. Whichever you choose, your evening at a Tashkent theater is sure to be a true cultural delight.