Each country is uniquely different, and it is a tough call comparing one with the other. But in terms of awe-inspiring history and phenomenal architecture, only one nation stands out – Uzbekistan.
Turn a corner in Samarkand and this is what you see.
If you want traditional silk clothes you’ve come to the right place – this lady extracts it from silkworms the traditional way!
You can camp in yurts out in the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert. Bucket list anyone?
Talk about ostentatious! A golden statue with a globe on top, where the only country illustrated is Uzbekistan.
Beautiful gold scripts inside Amir Timur’s Mausoleum. Each panel tells a story.
Bukhara, anyone?
Those blue tiled mosaics are exquisite!
The 600-year-old Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand…So pretty…
Head into the desert, make a fire and be serenaded with traditional Uzbek music from a local nomad.
Gur Emir – the mausoleum of the conqueror Amir Timur by day.
And again at night. Wow!
Even the capital has incredible sights – This is the Kukeldash Mosque in Tashkent.
If you’re feeling hungry stop by the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent for a dazzling selection of spices and food!
The country isn’t just desert and Silk Road architecture! This is crossing the Kamchik Pass in Eastern Uzbekistan. The view down the Qurama Mountains in the Fergana Valley is, in a word, epic! It’s also considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world.
This guy in Bukhara makes some of the sharpest scissors in the world, by hand!
You could stare at those tiles for days…
Walking through the Necropolis in Samarkand is like being transported back in time.
The Shakhi Zinda complex is known as “Cemetery Street” due to the huge number of royals buried in the surrounding tombs.
The black market in Uzbekistan is crippling the local economy, but this makes it a surprisingly affordable place to travel as a tourist. You can get double the value for your US dollar then the official market rate by going to the streets. This wad of cash? US$100…
Kalta Minor in Khiva was destined to become the highest minaret in Central Asia, until the leader Muhammad-Amin-khan died in battle and construction was put on hold. It’s still mind blowing though!
The young kids in traditional dress are just adorable!
And they love getting photos with tourists!
Elderly men chilling by a 600-year-old wall in Khiva. Because why not?
The buildings are massive! Really massive!
If you’re looking to get a beautiful handmade carpet at an affordable price it is hard to beat Uzbekistan. Many carpets can have 2, 3 or even more people working on them at once and can take up to a year to make.
The Registan by day…
The Registan at night. Delicious!
96% of the Uzbek population are Muslim. Here we found a lady praying in one of the mosques in Bukhara.
The golden interior of Amir Timur’s Mausoleum in Samarkand.
Everywhere you look – magnificence!
Uzbekistan is known for its amazing arts and crafts that have been developed on the Silk Road over the centuries. Here a man makes ceramics by hand outside of Bukhara.
If you want silk, this is the place to go…
Kukeldash Madrassa in Tashkent – a centre of Muslim education.
Ahh the Registan again. Because you can never get enough of it.
A man walks around the base of a minaret in Bukhara.
Food for sale at the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent. So many flavours!
Just your standard views in Samarkand.
A lady walks through the grounds of a madrassa in Khiva.
Yep, Uzbekistan is pretty mind blowing!
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