Tashkent & Tashkent Region

Tashkent is Uzbekistan's capital and its largest city — a place where Islamic architecture, Soviet-era boulevards, and a genuinely modern city all exist side by side. Most visitors treat it as a transit stop. That is a mistake.

The old city around Khast Imam contains one of the oldest Qurans in the world. The Chorsu Bazaar is one of the great markets of Central Asia. And the city has some of the best food in the country.

Key Sites

• Hazrati Imam Complex (Khast Imam) — the religious center of Uzbekistan
• Kukeldash Madrasah — 16th century, still in use
• Chorsu Bazaar — the great covered market
• Mustaqillik Square — Soviet-scale public space
• Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater
• Magic City and Dream Park — for families

Tashkent Region — Beyond the City

Within an hour of Tashkent, the landscape changes completely. The Bostanlyk district is where the Tian Shan mountains begin. The Chirchik Valley has vineyards producing wines that will genuinely surprise you. Parkent has a solar furnace, mountain mosques, and a place called Champagne.

• Charvak Reservoir — the mountain lake an hour from the city
• Chimgan and Amirsoy — skiing in winter, trekking in summer
• Chirchik Valley wineries — CRUCHON, MSA Family Winery, Uzumfermer
• Parkent — the Solar Furnace complex and Ali Buva mosque