Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a vibrant city blending Soviet-era architecture, Islamic heritage, and modern urban design. Known as a key stop along the ancient Silk Road, Tashkent has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. Landmarks like the Khast Imam Complex, home to the world’s oldest Quran, highlight its Islamic roots, while Soviet influences can be seen in its wide boulevards and monumental public squares.
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With limited time and a focus on exploring other cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, we reserved Tashkent for a brief visit at the end of our trip to Uzbekistan, using it primarily as a transit point en route to Kyrgyzstan. Arriving in the early afternoon from the Zaamin Mountains, we planned to spend the rest of the day exploring the city. However, the day was ultimately lost to an unforeseen misadventure involving that frustrating Uzbek law on hotel registration. As a result, we were left with just the morning of the next day to take a short walk around the city center before catching our bus to Bishkek.
We left our economical accommodation in the city’s eastern suburbs and took the train. The Tashkent Metro, inaugurated in 1977, is a marvel of Soviet-era engineering and art, and it holds the distinction of being the first subway system in Central Asia. Designed not just as a transportation network but also as an artistic showcase, its stations are adorned with mosaics, chandeliers, and intricate tilework that reflect Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage and Soviet aesthetics. Each station is uniquely themed, ranging from space exploration to traditional Uzbek patterns, making the metro a subterranean gallery as much as a practical transit option.
We got off at Amir Temur Square, dedicated to the legendary 14th-century conqueror known in the West as Tamerlane. The square is anchored by an imposing bronze equestrian statue of Temur, surrounded by a tranquil park that provides a respite from the city’s bustling streets. Established during the Soviet era and originally named Revolution Square, it has since been reimagined to honor Uzbekistan’s national hero.
An interesting feature of the square is its role as a focal point of urban planning; major landmarks like the Tashkent Chimes, the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, and the iconic Hotel Uzbekistan encircle it. This layout creates a perfect starting point for exploring the city.
The city was mostly bereft of activity. The broad avenues accommodated traffic that one-lane streets could also handle. The few shops around the area were still closed by like 9 am. We had breakfast in the only food place we managed to locate after some searching and kept strolling through wide streets and among monumental buildings. Lastly, we took the metro again at Mustakillik Maydoni station and headed to the bus terminal.
Accommodation and activities in Uzbekistan
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Photos
View (and if you want use) all my photographs from Tashkent in higher resolution.
