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October 17, 2018

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Exotic country on Silk Road welcomes tourists

Uzbekistan, a central Asian nation on the Silk Road, could be one of the most exotic destinations for your next vacation. The doubly landlocked country is a living history book. From Samarkand to Bukhara, East and West meet together.

Tashkent, the capital, is the largest city in Central Asia as far as population is concerned. It is also an important economic and cultural center.

Direct flights link Beijing with Tashkent and more flights between the two cities are anticipated in the near future, according to the state committee on tourism development.

Uzbekistan has decided to further boost its tourism infrastructure, including the establishment of the International University of Tourism “Silk Road” in Samarkand, as part of its commitment to strengthen and diversify the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, China took part in the 24th Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF-2018) which had a “Tourism on the Silk Road” theme, indicating that it is becoming increasingly interested in Uzbekistan.

During the three-day event, the international and national pavilions at Tashkent’s Uzexpocentre featured “Town of Artisans” handcraft shows, the theaters and museums of the country’s different regions, a festival of national dishes at the “Oriental Bazaar” and an “Alley of Artists” as well as fashion shows from leading and emerging designers in Uzbekistan.

Beautifully printed pamphlets, free coffee, tasty food and beverages as well as smiling faces from around the country made a deep impression on visitors.

Inseparably linked with the Silk Road, the land of the sun embraces the world with open arms. Dating back to 121 BC, the first caravan laden with silk from China and other cargo headed toward the Fergana Oasis. Today, the legend continues.

Major cities in Uzbekistan have absorbed all the singularity and unique beauty, allowing visitors to be transferred back into the atmosphere of the medieval ages.

The pearls on the Silk Road are Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Tashkent.

The pearl of the East, Samarkand is an amazing city. Whatever epithets might have been invented to describe it by poets and philosophers — the mirror of the world, the garden of the soul, the pearl of the orient, the face of the Earth — perhaps one cannot put all its beauty and wealth into words, one can only enjoy all its brilliance and magnificence. Samarkand is included in a list of “50 must-visit cities” and is a world heritage site.

Shakhrisabz, a green garden city, is around 80 kilometers away from Samarkand. It is the homeland of Tamerlane (1336-1405). It became the second capital city of the ruler’s vast state. Well-preserved, the city is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

One of Shakhrisabz’s main attractions is the Kok-Gumbaz mosque built during the reign of Mirzo Ulugbek (1394-1449). Its dome is the largest in Uzbekistan at 46 meters in diameter.

Nearly four hours away to the northwest is the blessed city of Bukhara. One of the oldest cities in the world, an unprecedented number of mosques and the resting places of many Muslim saints are concentrated here.

The Blessed Bukhara — as Uzbeks respectfully call this glorious city — is also listed as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. According to ancient belief, the blessed light descends from the heaven upon all Muslim cities but it rises to the sky only over Bukhara.

Take a night train, drive by yourself or even call a cab and you can arrive in Khiva — a city museum in the open air. While visiting Khiva you become an eye-witness of a real oriental fairy tale, getting lost in the narrow lanes that lead to the minarets and domes of amazing beauty.

Ichan Kala — the Inner City is also a world heritage site.

By plane or train, Termez is worth a visit. During the centuries from Buddhism to Islam, the old Termez has developed as one of the biggest cities of the Kushan Empire.

Back to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan combines modernity and antiquity with a history that dates back some 2,200 years.

Hazrati-Imam Square is in the historical part of the city. There you will find the Bara-Khan Madrassah, the Tilla-Shaykh Mosque, the Mausoleum of Sant Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute.

In the heart of the old city there is the Chor-Su bazaar, the biggest and oldest of its kind in the capital. Chor-Su has been known since the time the Silk Road passed through Tashkent.

Under a bright turquoise dome is market with a variety of spices, fruits and vegetables, traditional carpets, artworks and handcraft items.




 

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