Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of five republics in Central Asia , which used to be part of the Soviet Union. It is bordered on the west and north by Kazakhstan, on the east by Kyrgyzstan, on the southeast by Tajikistan, and on the south by Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan includes the Karakalpak Autonomous Republic, which occupies about 37 percent of Uzbekistan's territory. Uzbekistan's land area totals about 447,400 sq km (about 172,750 sq mi). Tashkent is the capital and chief industrial and cultural center. Slightly more than 36 percent of the total population live in urban areas.
Tashkent , the capital of Uzbekistan, is the largest city in Central Asia and the fourth largest in the former USSR (after Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kyiv). Other major cities include Samarkand , Namangan, Andijon, and Bukhara .
Climate and the nature conditions of Uzbekistan
The climate and the nature conditions of Uzbekistan are among the most favorable in Central Asia. For example, in the former capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty, which is 502 mi northeast of Tashkent, the average annual temperature is 5-8 degrees lower. At the same time, 804 mi southwest of Tashkent in Ashgabat, the average annual temperature is 8-10 degrees higher.
The relatively temperate climate, plus the presence of irrigation water, enrich the land of Uzbekistan, which yields many fruit crops. The melons , grapes , apples , quinces , and pears of Uzbekistan have an incredibly delicious taste. More than 60 species of orchards grow in Uzbekistan many of which started traveling around the world from their geographical centre of origin.
Zaamin mountain archa state reserve area of more than 26 thousand hectares is situated in heights from 1760 up to 3500 meters above sea level. Juniper forests make up a special value and beauty of the reserve. The local type of this surprising and having become rare plant is accepted to be called archa in Central Asia. It is relative to the well known cypress. Yet not so long ago the main tree of mountain forests of Uzbekistan was called a plant of not our epoch. Archa was related to extinct breed unmanageable for artificial reproduction. As scientists found out it were not so easy to reproduce it in natural way, besides, it grows very slowly. Only 700-800 aged trees reach 8-10 meters height. Trees which age exceeds a thousand and even three thousands years are met in secluded mountain regions which are difficult of access.
The nature of the Chatkal state biospheric reserve in the west Tyan-Shan spurs locating on the heights from 1 100 up to 4 000 meters above the sea level and taking a square of more than 35 thousand hectares is inimitable and diverse. Mountain landscapes are distinguished here by their variety, wildness and beauty. The climate advantages of Uzbekistan attract mountain-skiers to the Chimgan-Beldersay area near Tashkent, which belongs to Chatkal state biospheric reserve. The combination of snow and mostly warm, sunny weather makes the Chimgan and Beldersay ski slopes extremely popular. More than 27 thousand biological types are counted in ecosystems of Uzbekistan. The fauna is represented by 424 species of birds, 97 species of mammals, 58 species of reptiles and 83 species of fish. Plants, mushrooms and algae are represented by 11 thousand of species. Many animals and plants are endemic and are not met anywhere in the globe.
PageTour - Uzbekistan tourist attractions
According to definition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia a tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities.
So, what attracts tourist in Uzbekistan after all . According to the Statistical Internet Survey, carried out in May 7-August 27, 2008 by Pagetour jointly with Walter Kafer Fremdenverkehrdienstleistungen, the majority of those surveyed - 39%, visit the country because of their interest to architectural and historical sights of Uzbekistan . Another largest group - 24% visit Uzbekistan for the sake of acquaintance with culture, way of life and local customs . Thereby most of the tourists (63%) visiting Uzbekistan, consider as an attractions the following: historical places, monuments, museums and art galleries, ancient buildings and structures (e.g., ancient fortresses, mosques, madrasahs, libraries, former prisons, wells), national parks, national festivals and other cultural events.
This site, worked out as an information collection of Uzbekistan tourist attractions, advertises tourist attractions in very simple form with plenty of visual information. At this site you will find only those tourist attractions of Uzbekistan, which provide visitors a memorable experience for a reasonable admission charge or even for free. There aren't such places that are commonly known as tourist traps among attractions, presented by Pagetour. Discover on this website Uzbekistan tourism information relative to 204 sights and attractions (not counting the hotels) on 5 maps with descriptions available and with 448 photos including: Tashkent - 83 photos ; Samarkand - 141 photos ; Bukhara - 198 photos ; Khiva - 26 photoss .
74 hotels and resorts (including: Tashkent - 27 hotels ; Samarkand - 14 hotels ; Bukhara - 28 hotels ; Khiva - 5 hotels ); with 542 photos .
More than 120 photos of Mountaineering in Uzbekistan. In all: 1103 photos . Plus Photo Clipart 1000% of Uzbekistan with about 1000 high-resolution photos available. Altogether: 2103 photos are available with this site!
Tashkent
Tashkent
- the economic, religious and political center of Uzbekistan.
Most travel involves entering and leaving Uzbekistan through Tashkent, the
capital city of Uzbekistan. Tashkent was the fourth largest city in the Soviet
Union but you wouldn't know it with the sheep that wander the streets under the
watchful eye of their turbaned shepherds. But as Tico after Tico races by,
followed by hundreds of Daewoo Nexias, and the metro rumbles underneath, you
begin to understand the complexity that is Tashkent. Though Tashkent is often
overlooked in the search for the Silk Road oasis towns of Samarkand, Bukhara and
Khiva, Today one can visit such striking sights as Mausoleum of Sheikh Zaynudin
Bobo, Sheihantaur or Mausoleum of Zangiata. It is only Tashkent that melds
Sufism, Marxism and Capitalism, the East, West and Russia, as well as tradition
and modernism. Other Central Asian capitals lack the complexity and overall
cultural mix of Tashkent.
Tashkent has several large luxury hotels along with relatively small cozy
private hotels of B&B pattern. It's quite true that there is no clear downtown
area in Tashkent. Therefore most of the hotels rightly assert that their
locations are near to downtown and airport, which is also located within the
city line. All hotels have shower or bath, toilet, TV set and telephone in the
rooms; conference hall and restaurant as common amenities. Most of the hotels
have a cozy courtyards.
Samarkand
Samarkand ,
also Samarqand is perhaps the most famous city of modern Uzbekistan.
The site of Samarkand was settled about 2000 BC. In times of old the city
was also known as Afrosiab, and also Maracanda by the Greeks. The city was the
capital of Sogdiana, an ancient Persian province, and was conquered by Alexander
the Great in 329 BC. It subsequently grew as a trade center on the route between
China and the Mediterranean region. In the early 8th century AD, it was
conquered by the Arabs and soon became an important center of Muslim culture. In
1220 Samarkand was almost completely destroyed by the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan.
It flourished again when Tamerlane (known as Timur locally) made it the capital
of his empire in 1369. As his capital Timur put Samarkand on the world map and
much of the architecture visible today was built by him or his descendants.
Now, when you seek accommodation in Samarkand, you don't have to feel uncertain
about the hotels. On this site we provide you with trust-worthy information
about best Samarkand hotels, which are not of soviet fashioned hotels, but the
modern hotels of present-day Samarkand. The existence in itself of such hotels
became possible only when soviet regime fell. Except two palaces all hotels
presented are relatively small private hotels. Therefore a difference between
the hotels is as the difference between people. Some is rich, another isn't too
rich, but is assiduous. We should then learn a difference between substantials
and circumstantials.
Bukhara
Bukhara
is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia.
Nevertheless, most of intact historic buildings in this city belong to
period of the late Middle Ages. Only numerous archaeological excavations in the
20-th century revealed thick cultural layers with traces of ancient settlements
in location of the present-day Bukhara.
In archaeological trenches at depth of 20 meters, archaeologists discovered the
remnants of dwellings, public buildings, and fortifications. They evaluated age
of these historical structures on basis of age of numerous archeological finds:
ceramic pottery, fireplaces, coins with images and inscriptions, antique
jewellery, artisans' tools, and the like. The most deep-seated layers, which
belong to the period of the antiquity from the 3-d century B.C. until the 4-th
century A.D., are also most thick. The upper layers belong to period from the
9-th century until the beginning of the 20-th century.
This
proves that Bukhara never changed its location but grew vertically over at least
2,500 years.
The region of Bukhara was for a long period a part of the Persian Empire. The
origin of its inhabitants goes back to the period of Aryan immigration into the
region. Iranian Soghdians inhabited the area and some centuries later the
Persian language became dominant among them. Encyclopedia Iranica mentions that
the name Bukhara is possibly derived from the Soghdian "Buxarak" ("lucky
place"). Another possible source of the name Bukhara may be from "Vihara", the
Sanskrit word for monastery and may be linked to the pre-Islamic presence of
Buddhism (especially strong at the time of the Kushan empire) originating from
the Indian sub-continent.
Hotels in Bukhara
We provide you with truthful information about most significant hotels of
Bukhara, without pathetic element and overstatements. Most of the hotels in
Bukhara are private. Why it is important? Since it is a new phenomenon for the
young country. In the Soviet times it was impossible even to dream about private
hotel, individual taxi or restaurant. And the state hotels were often simply
awful. It is now a history where, we hope, Uzbekistan will never return.
Khiva
Khiva
is ancient Chorasmia and later known as Khwarizm and Khorezm. It is formerly a
large khanate (kingdom) of West Central Asia. Located south of the Aral Sea and
is now part of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The ancient city Khiva is located in
Uzbekistan and is famous for its many historic buildings which are preserved as
a museum like walled city. Khiva is most intact of the ancient cities of
Uzbekistan. Most of its historical buildings are of 19th century creation, and
because of the excellent condition of its architecture, Khiva gives an excellent
idea of what other cities of Central Asia may have been like before. Khiva was
not from the beginning the capital city of Khorezm. Historians tell, it was
happened in 1589 when the Amu Darya, (ancient Oxus; Turkmen Amuderya; Uzbek
Amudaryo; Tajik Dar'yoi Amu - large river originating in the lofty Pamirs
Plateau,
Central
Asia, about 2495 km (about 1550 mi) in length) had started back from doomed
former capital city Gurganchi (old Urgench). Amu Darya passed through the
Khanate and emptied in the Caspian Sea providing the ancient kingdom with water
as well as with a waterway to Europe. Over the centuries the river has shifted
its course several times. The last turn of Amu Darya at the end of 16th century
has killed Gurgangi. 150 km (about 93 mi) northwest of Khiva stand what had
remained of the ancient capital. The ruins now are situated in Turkmenistan, in
the neighborhood with the village called Kunya-Urgench, which means, "Old-Urgench".
As centuries ago, approx. 10-meter-high clay wall surrounds the inner city of
Ichan Kala. The inner city wall made of adobe (sun-baked) bricks (40x40x10 cm).
Foundation of Ichan Kala rampart is thought to date from fifth century. Ichan
Kala wall is 8-10 meters high, 6-8 meters wide and 2250 meters long. The ancient
city inside the Ichan Kala is densely packed into a space of less than a square
kilometer.
Many visitors of Khiva stay in hotels in Urgench which is about 35 km away. But
there is no any good reason why you should not stay in Khiva, because there are
several good B&Bs in the town.
Hotel Islambek is located in the northeast part of Ichan-Kala, a bit off
the main streets, which makes it relatively quiet in the evening. The rooms are
big and clean, with air-conditioning, bathroom (shower and toilet), and daily
service if wanted. This hotel operates as B&B. For the other meals – they don't
have a restaurant, but they offer dinners in the patio.
Malika-Heivak Hotel (former Lola) is very good located - in the center
of Inner City - Ichan-Kala - among remarkable sights of ancient Khiva - Islam
Khodja ensemble, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum and Dzhuma Mosque. The hotel has
simply furnished rooms with bathrooms and AC. It also operates as B&B. if you
want to have other meals you should order in the morning.
Arkanchi hotel is conveniently situated and are a reasonable value for
money you pay there. You can access the roof of the hotel, ideal to take
pictures at the end of the day when the light is soft.
Hotel Sobir Arkonchi is situated in the historical Inner City of Khiva -
Ichan-Kala. Most of the hotel rooms afford a fine view to the walls of
Ichan-Kala and other remarkable sights. There are a big garden with fruit trees
and flowers and a summer swimming pool on the hotel site.
The Malika hotel is part of a small chain of hotels. Rooms have AC,
private facilities, hairdryer etc. There is also a restaurant where breakfast is
served, and a gift shop. The best thing about this hotel is its location, right
opposite the west gate of the old city. If you are awake at the right time, you
can watch the sunrise over the city walls.
23 Essential facts about Tourism in Uzbekistan
1. Uzbekistan is a country of ancient high culture with its exceptional
architectural patterns.
2. Many prominent people lived in Bukhara in the past.
3. Bukhara is the centre for trade and handicraft since times of
antiquity.
4. Bukhara has been the main spiritual, cultural and economic
center of Central Asia from ancient time.
5. The Architecture of Uzbekistan has been influenced by a diverse
array of architectural traditions such as Islamic architecture, Persian
architecture, and Russian architecture.
6. Khiva is a museum under the blue sky.
7. Ancient cities of Uzbekistan were located on the ancient Silk
Road, the trading route between China and the West.
8. Uzbekistan is a country with vast underused capabilities in
tourism.
9. Uzbekistan Mountains are an attractive place for those who love
active forms of tourism such as mountaineering, rock climbing skiing and so on.
10. Samarkand is one of pearls of East.
11. Ancient Khiva is one of three most important tourism centers of
Uzbekistan with great historical cultural and ethnographic potential.
12. A large number of tourists have been visiting Uzbekistan
because of their religious-based interest.
13. Uzbekistan cities including Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva,
Shakhrisabz and Tashkent live on in the imagination of the West as symbols of
oriental beauty and mystery.
14. The applied arts of Uzbekistan embrace a wide range of
materials used and methods of ornamentation.
15. There are more than 160 Muslim relics located in Uzbekistan.
16. Bukhara carpets are very famous.
17. Bread is holy for Uzbek people.
18. Traditionally Uzbek breads are baked inside the stoves made of
clay called “Tandyr”.
& 19. Uzbekistan is well known for its chaikhanas (teahouses), where
men get together and spend time chatting and joking over a cup of tea.
20. Uzbekistan is the most historically fascinating of the Central
Asian republics.
21. Today's Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries to go to for
tourism and cooperation.
22. People in Uzbekistan are very hospitable, generous and kind.
23. Uzbekistan is different from both Asian and European countries
- it is unique.
Tourism in Uzbekistan In Uzbekistan tourism is regulated by
laws and development programs. The appropriate normative-legal base which
impacts the status of tourism was being formulated during almost 20 years in
Uzbekistan.
The development of tourism in Uzbekistan has several stages. The first stage is
the organization of tourism as one branch of economy on the basis of enterprises
being of different ownership type - the State Committee of the USSR on Foreign
Tourism, the Bureau of Youth Tourism Sputnik within the Komsomol, the
trade-union organizations, etc. This period covers 1992-1995. Since this moment
there started privatization of tourist objects, construction of small private
hotels and it was a beginning of international tourist fair in Tashkent.
The second stage covers 1995-2000. This stage is characterized as a time of
development of tourism infrastructure, creation of nongovernmental corporate
tourist associations. Within this period there were programmatic goals set such
as the Program of Tourism Development till 2005. There is a process of large
investments into hotel networks, expanding of small hotels network, providing
privileges to small and medium businesses.
The third period covers the years since 2001 to the present. There is an
on-going privatization process of enterprises from the National Uzbektourism
Company. The interdepartmental agreements are concluded to facilitate tourist
procedures. The government attracts foreign investments and management companies
into tourism and hotel businesses. National tourist administration has been
instructed to develop draft Program of Tourism Development till 2010.
The national legislation related to tourism provides favorable climate for this
sector of economy. There are privileges for tourist companies made in form of
joint venture. There are also some privileges for foreign investors to the
sphere of tourism. Besides that there are norms to support private tourism
business.
The existing legislation includes a following list of most important
documents .
The Law "On tourism" was approved, by Oliy Majlis on 20 August 1999. It
regulates state policy in the sphere of tourism, defines legislative norms for
this sector of economy, including norms of relations between subjects and
objects of tourism.
The Regulations "On the order of departure and entrance of tourists to the
Republic of Uzbekistan" . The appropriate provision has been approved in
order to regulate the entrance of foreign tourists into the Republic of
Uzbekistan and departure of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan abroad as
tourists, and to secure their safety. It was issued according to the Law of
Republic Uzbekistan "On tourism", Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the
Republic of Uzbekistan dated 28 July 2004 No.360 "On further improvement of
Uzbektourism national company activities".
Regulations "On licensing of tourist activity" . The Resolution of the
Cabinet of Ministers dated 11 November 2003 No.497 stipulates the procedure and
rules for receiving the license for tourist activities various subjects of
managing. The Order of certification of tourist services. It was registered
within the Ministry of Justice on 18 March 2000 No.911. It contains general
provisions, rules and procedures of carrying out obligatory certification of
tourist services rendered by subjects of tourist activities and can be also used
in carrying out voluntary certification.
The Resolution "On simplification of visa procedures for Italian citizens"
of the Cabinet Of Ministers dated 19 February 2003 No.85. The Ministry for
Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan was entrusted to issue multi-entry visas for one
month to citizens of Italian Republic visiting Uzbekistan as tourists within two
working days with a waver of presenting tourist vouchers of Uzbektourism or
other tourist organizations. Note: the same procedure covers citizens of France.
Latvia, Great Britain, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Belgium.
"On granting exemption from customs duties to some tourist organizations" .
The Ministry of Finance (No.04-02-04/11) and the State Tax Committee (No.09-386
dated 12 January 1996) in order to implement the Decree of the President of the
Republic of Uzbekistan dated 2 July 1995 "On measures to facilitate
participation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the revival of the Great Silk
Road and to develop international tourism in the republic" consider it possible
to support the proposal of Uzbektourism regarding exemption of tourist agencies
in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent cities from paying customs duties for
importing vehicles for their own use.
The Decree "On measures to facilitate participation of the Republic of
Uzbekistan in the revival of the Great Silk Road and to develop international
tourism in the republic" . The decree of the President of Republic Uzbekistan
dated 2 June 1995. The document stipulates the following:
- To organize special open economic zones on international tourism in the cities
of the Great Silk Route - Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent;
- At the airports and the railway stations of the specified cities introduce
simplified order of customs clearance for foreign tourists, which corresponds to
international norms, and also special customs areas for transit tourists;
- To exempt from all kinds of taxes newly formed tourist agencies and the
enterprises of these cities for the period from the data of their establishment
till the date of receiving the first profit, but no more than three years from
the date of registration;
- The specified organizations and enterprises in the first year of receiving the
profit shall pay 50% of the profit tax, in the second year - 75%, starting from
the third year - 100%;
- To exempt foreign investors which set up joint ventures in the sphere of
tourism in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent from the payment of exported
profit tax for the period of 5 years in addition to the privileges granted.
- To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in two
months term to identify common visa to foreign tourists, which is valid for the
whole territory of the Republic, except for the objects defined by the
legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- To recommend commercial banks to provide credits to businessmen for
construction of private hotels and hotel infrastructure with the term of
repayment not less than five years;
- To establish Interdepartmental Tourism Council within the Cabinet of
Ministers, having defined its primary goals as: deepening of economic reforms in
the sphere of tourism; coordination of the development of the network of small
and medium hotels, motel and camping at a level of world standards; assistance
to the development of modern entertainment business, cultural and fitness
centers; organization of wide publicity and preservation of unique tourist
potential and historical and cultural heritage; carrying out coordinated
scientific, technical and investment policy in tourism; providing training and
retraining of tourism personnel.
"The Order on entrance to and departure from the Republic of Uzbekistan of
foreign citizens and persons without citizenship" . The Resolution of the
Cabinet of Ministers dated 21 November 1996, No.408. Foreign citizens, including
citizens from CIS countries and without citizenship can enter Uzbekistan and
leave on the reasons of private and business affairs, as tourists, for rest,
study, work, treatment and on a permanent residence. Entry, entry-exit and
transit visas are issued by the consular officers. Multi-entry visas for the
period of one year are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sources:
-
https://parus87.com/Read_More.htm
- National
normative-legal documents of Uzbekistan on tourism development by BVV Business
Report Newspaper
-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist_attraction