Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan stands at the crossroads of civilizations, as a former center of great empires, among nomadic tribes and some of the oldest cities in the world. It is also at the crossroads of religions, with Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim influences, and at the center of the Great Silk Road, linking China to Europe before the development of the big sea routes.
Uzbekistan is also a land of magnificent mountains, vast open steppes and fertile oases. From the spacious, clean capital of Tashkent to the architecturally rich cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, Uzbekistan boasts some of the finest monuments among the Silk Road countries, featuring intricate Islamic tile work, turquoise domes, and minarets. The Ferghana Valley, surrounded by the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains, still produces silk and is well worth visiting for its friendly bazaars and landscapes of mulberry trees and fruit orchards. Uzbekistan’s mountain ranges attract hikers, cyclists and backcountry skiers, while experienced mountaineers come to climb some of the world’s highest peaks.
Tourists can travel through living history or they can experience the silence of the distant past at the sites of ancient settlements, temples, and tombs, which still serve as places for religious pilgrimage, as they have for a thousand years. Visitors can enjoy the rich history, unique culture, natural beauty, and heart-stopping adventure that Uzbekistan has to offer.
Uzbekistan’s recreational resources allow for the organization of various kinds of vacation packages and tourist routes able to receive foreign visitors all year. Uzbekistan’s tour-excursion service complex includes a diverse network of new hotels and guest houses, cafés and restaurants, camping sites, places of entertainment and rest that meet international standards, and a series of tourist routes along superb mountain tracks and the nation’s rivers. Modern means of transportation, from cars to tour buses to high-speed trains are available to transport increasing numbers of tourists.
It is easy for travelers to Uzbekistan to discover why this country is unique in Central Asia, and offers a wealth of travel experiences. People who visit Uzbekistan say that it is the true heart and soul of the region with a settled, culture-laden atmosphere.