 Tower of Ulugh Bek Madrasah of Registan Square, Samarkand |
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is the epitome of ancient Oriental mystery and beauty. Uzbekistan travel is truly an adventure with something for everyone! Virtually every tour of Central Asia in general, involves visiting exciting historical sights and lovely environmental scenery. Here one can find influences of many oriental cultures, along with the tales of mystery and romance that are embodied here.
Situated between two rivers in the center of Central Asia, the Republic of Uzbekistan borders four other countries:
Afghanistan,
Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan. The climate of Uzbekistan is generally bright and sunny with little rainfall. Those who travel to Uzbekistan in the fall will been in time for the bountiful autumn harvests. This country boasts of an incredible variety of tantalizing fruits and vegetables.
Uzbekistan: History and Monumets
The entire region of Central Asia is rich in ancient history and wonderful mosques and monuments. Central Asia is a land of legends, and many of them will regale visitors with marvelous tales of old. These stories evoke images of maidens in bejeweled gowns, castles and fortresses, and warriors riding into battle with swords and knives clashing. Various foreign invaders attacked and conquered these lands, causing terrible destruction. Yet every time cities of this region rose up from the ashes and claimed its former power and beauty. Such is the spirit of Uzbekistan; subjugated but not destroyed. Devastated, but never eradicated from the face of the earth. The historical archeological structures, in all their brilliant elegance, are testaments to the great strength of spirit of the people of Central Asia. Once you have completed a tour, you will forever be enchanted by its mystery and magic.
There are so many must-see places on the Uzbekistan travel that it is difficult to list them all. Since the area is so ancient, there are many amazing historical structures to visit, as well as a variety of museums housing fascinating archeological and anthropological finds. The architecture in particular is of such intensely profound beauty that words fail to adequately describe it. The spectacular sight of sky-blue domes, intricate white and teal tile ornamentation, and detailed engraving will absolutely take your breath away. Some of the famous historical monumets are:
Pictures of Uzbekistan
 Ulugh Bek madrasah, Registan |
 Ornamets of Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Samarkand |
Pictures of Uzbekistan's capital city - Tashkent
Travel Destinations: Registan Square, Samarkand
 Registan Square, Samarkand |
This magnificent ensemble consists of three structures which form one of the most stunningly beautiful spectacles in Central Asia. Considered a gem of archeology, the Square is made of glazed brick, blue mosaics and beautifully carved marble. The word "Registan" means "sandy place". It is said that the river which had run through this spot dried out, leaving behind a great deal of sand. It was here that the first Madrassah was erected at the start of the fifteenth century. Travelers embarking on tours to Uzbekistan will undoubtedly be awed by the majestic vision of Registan Square.
More information about Registan Square
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Samarkand: Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
 Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, Samarkand |
The Gur-e Amir Mausoleum was originally intended for Muhammad Sultan, grandson and royal heir, who died suddenly in 1403. Tamerlane had another tomb for himself in Shahrisabz near his royal palace in Ak-Saray. However, on his way to conquer China in 1405 Tamerlane died, and since the passes to his own tomb were snowed in, he was placed in the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum. It is now a world-renowned tourist attraction on tours to Samarkand.
There is a story based on the history of Central Asia which is told by guides on tours to Uzbekistan. The story is about the jade slab covering the tomb of Tamerlane the Great. In the seventeen hundreds, a Persian warlord who had invaded Uzbekistan stole the stone, which then broke in two. Thereafter a run of bad luck plagued the warlord, and his advisors believed the warlord was suffering the curse of the stolen stone. The warlord's counselors implored him to return it to its rightful place.
The jade slab was again disturbed in the early nineteen hundreds by Soviet archeologists. It was an exciting discovery for Russian archeologists and anthropologists. Mikhail Gerasimov, a Soviet anthropologist. Unfortunately, three days later Russia was invaded by the Nazis, leading many to believe the Soviets had incurred the curse of the royal tombs of Uzbekistan. The crypt inscription reads: "Any one who violates my stillness in this life or in the next one will be subjected to inevitable punishment and misery".
More information about Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
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 Tourists visiting Registan Square in Samarkand |
Why travel to Uzbekistan
Travel to Uzbekistan is like passing through a door to the world of the ancient past. By touring the ancient cities, admiring the beauty of the incredible architecture, and visiting the famous museums full of historic cultural artifacts, we are privileged to see what daily life in this ancient part of the world was like. Vibrant, colorful bazaars and market places have stood in the same spots for centuries, dong business as usual. Take time during your Uzbekistan travel to shop for beautiful Persian rugs and tapestries, made by hand from skilled artisans who have learned the trade from their ancestors. These remarkable skills have been handed down in local families for generations. In these vibrant marketplaces the visitor can also find many other kinds of authentic oriental merchandise, most of which is still made today according to centuries - old tradition.
Read about tours to Uzbekistan and Central Asia
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How to obtain a visa to Uzbekistan
Information how to obtain a visa to Uzbekistan you can find here:
Uzbekistan Visa.
East Site offers worldwide consular assistance service.
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More Uzbekistan links
UNESCO.org Uzbekistan - World Heritage Center
WikiTravel.org Travel Guide: Uzbekistan
Wikipedia.org About Uzbekistan
