Uzbekistan：Central Asia’s Knockout Destination That’s Home to Impressive Ancient Architecture

In this article we are going to recommend 10 wonderful sightseeing destinations in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia with beautiful architecture, long history, and impressive mosques. It is off-the-beaten track and it has a lot to offer for travellers interested in sightseeing destinations not yet discovered by many.

1. Registan (Samarkand)

Registan is a beautiful square in the centre of the centuries-old city of Samarkand. Registan is the centre of the city’s social and cultural life. It is a highly recommended sightseeing destination in Uzbekistan. It impresses with its architecture and is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was extensively renovated by the Soviets when Uzbekistan was under their control and today it attracts thousands of visitors every day. When sightseeing Registan try catching one of the many concerts and festivals often held there. Registan has a long and rich history and a tour with a guide is recommended to learn more about this spectacular place.

2. Shah-i-Zinda (Samarkand)

Shah-i-Zinda is an Islamic pilgrimage destination in the Uzbekistan city of Samarkand. It is a avenue full of different temples and mausoleums. Some have shiny, blue domes and intricate mosaic decorations, while others are simpler in their architecture and style. Some buildings in Shah-i-Zinda are over 1000 years old, but building kept being added until the 19th Century. Shah-i-Zinda is sure to impress and worth a visit on your sightseeing tour of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It is advisable to dress respectively and conservatively while sightseeing Shah-i-Zinda, as it is a place of worship.

3. Itchan Kala (Khiva)

While in Uzbekistan on a sightseeing visit, do not miss Itchan Kala. Itchan Kala is a splendid, walled city in central Uzbekistan. Itchan Kala is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Itchan Kala was a fort where the camel caravans would rest before crossing the dessert to Persian (modern day Iran). There are over 300 building still intact at Itchan Kala which you can sightsee and admire different Islamic architectural styles. Spring and Autumn are the best times for a sightseeing visit, as temperatures in Uzbekistan in the Summer months are very high.

4. Gur Emir Mausoleum (Samarkand)

Gur Emir Mausoleum is the tomb of the 14th century commander and conqueror Amir Timur. It is in Samarkand in Uzbekistan. As well as housing Timur tombs, Gur Emir Mausoleum is also the resting place of three other governors, each with an ornamented tomb. Although Gur Emir Mausoleum has aged and suffered through earthquakes over the years it is still splendid and bound to impress sightseers with its lavish décor. As Gur Emir is a religious place, it is recommended to dress modestly while sightseeing. Gur Emir Mausoleum is located a short walk away from Registan.

5. Great Minaret of the Kalon (Bukhara)

The Great Minaret of the Kalon, also known as Kalyan Minaret is a minaret in the Po-i-Kalyan Mosque. The mosque is in the Bukhara city in central Uzbekistan. The Great Minaret of the Kalon is one of Uzbekistan’s most popular sightseeing destination. The minaret is over 850 years old and not once in its long existence did it need repairing. It can be climbed and offers wonderful views of the 288 domes of the Po-i-Kalyan mosque and of the historic city of Bukhara. The Great Minaret is decorated with blue, ceramic tiles and 14 ornate rings. Please dress conservatively when sightseeing the Great Minaret of the Kalon.

6. Chor-Minor (Bukhara)

Chor-Minor is a historic mosque in Bukhara, central Uzbekistan. The mosque was built in 1807 by an Uzbekistani merchant. Chor-Minor is well-known for its unusual shape with four, plump minarets at each of its corners. The four minarets are topped with blue-tiled domes, but each minaret is slightly different than the other in design. It is belived that Chor-Minor was also used as madrasa, an Arabic educational institution. Chor-Minor and the Great Minaret of the Kalon are very close to one another, so many tourists visiting Uzbekistan choose to sightsee them on the same day.

7. Bibi Khanym Mosque (Bukhara)

Bibi Khanym Mosque is a 15th Century mosque in Samarkand in Uzbekistan. The Bibi Khanym Mosque has an interesting legend attached to it. The legend says it was built on orders from Bibi-Khanym the wife of Amir Timur to ensure his safe return from his conquest of India. Recently the mosque has been renovated and it is well-worth a visit on a sightseeing excursion around Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The mosque will impress sightseers with a rich, elaborate façade, over 400 marble buttresses and columns, and a 40-meter-high, beautifully decorated cupola. The mosque is open to tourists. If you sightsee in the summer, the mosque’s courtyard offers cool shade.

8. Ismail Samanid Mausoleum (Bukhara)

Ismail Samanid Mausoleum is in a park in the city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan. The mausoleum dates to 892AD. The mausoleum belongs to early Samanid rulers and houses three tombs. The building is made from baked bricks, is cuboid in shape and topped with a dome. Although it is simple in shape, great attention has been put into exterior decoration. It is recommended to sightsee Ismail Samanid Mausoleum for its unique architectural style combining Islamic and Zoroastrian motifs. After sightseeing the mausoleum many tourists go for a relaxing stroll in the surrounding park. As with other religious buildings in Uzbekistan modesty in clothing is advised.

9. Independence Square (Tashkent)

The Independence Square, also called Mustaqillik Maydoni, is a huge square in the centre of Tashkent, the capital and biggest city of Uzbekistan. Many events and festivals take place in the Independence Square. Out of those the most impressive are the Independence Day celebration on 1st September and New Year festivities on 1st January. When sightseeing the Independence Square tourists can view the grandiose Independence Monument, depicting a woman and a globe. Make sure to leave enough time to sightsee the Independence Square as it is about 12 hectares in size. While sightseeing there are many promenades, statues, and colonnades you can walk along and admire at Uzbekistan’s biggest square.

10. Ulugh Beg Observatory (Samarkand)

Ulugh Beg Observatory, located in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, is an observatory built in 1420 by Ulugh Ber, an Uzbekistani prince. It is worth sightseeing as it has interesting history and it has astronomical significance. Ulugh Ber is credited with calculating the length of the year more accurately than the better-known Copernicus. The observatory was only in operation for 30 years before religious extremists closed it down. It was rediscovered in 1908 and has since become a popular sightseeing destination. In 1970s the Ulugh Beg Observatory Museum opened. To learn more about the observatory include a visit to the museum during your sightseeing.

◎ Closing

Uzbekistan is a great country for sightseeing, with many impressive, historic mosques. It has rich culture and spectacular architecture. Uzbekistan puts a lot of care and attention into renovation of its monuments. There is so much to see and discover in Uzbekistan, so why not go there for your next holiday?