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Study Trip Uzbekistan

After a long hot summer in Kyrgyzstan, Peter and Maksat left for an even hotter Uzbekistan. This country is increasingly opening up to tourists, and the sights are legion. Moreover, there are plans for a new ski resort (Amirsoy) which may make it interesting even for an adventurous winter sport.

Tashkent
The trip begins with a flight from Bishkek to Tashkent (the capital of Uzbekistan). What immediately struck us was the modernity of the airport and access roads. This is different in other Central Asian countries. Moreover, it is very green, and the cars drive extremely civilised. It almost feels like we have arrived in a Western country.

Tashkent Station
Tashkent railway station

Tashkent is an extremely modern city with many parks and water. It lies on the western flanks of the Tien Shan Mountains, where rainfall is more frequent than in the rest of the country. Despite the heat (around 40 degrees), it is still perfectly tolerable in the city. There are many terraces and restaurants with western decor. It is different from what had been imagined.

When we want to change money, we know again that we are in a Central Asian country. You can exchange your Dollars (not euros) for the Uzbek Som in only a few places. The value of the Som may be nominated again because we seriously get a bag of bills when we change $300.

money Uzbekistan
Millionaire in Uzbekistan

With our local guide Konstantin, we drive to the most beautiful places in the city. We visit the Chorsu bazaar, the blue domes of the Amin Timur museum, the Kukuldash madrassa, the Telyashayakh mosque and the mausoleum of Yunus Khan. So apart from some historic structures, the city looks modern with a clear influence from the Soviet period.

Charvak
The next day we drive to the Charvak Mountains. A good hour’s drive from Tashkent we find the mighty Tien Shan mountains. Although accessibility is limited, there are enormous opportunities for mountain tourism. Almost all activities take place in the summer around Lake Charvak. An artificial lake with a huge power plant. The location is beautiful, and there are many places to picnic or swim.

Charvak more
Charvak lake in eastern Uzbekistan

In winter, there are opportunities for skiing, but they leave much to be desired at this time. The largest ski area is near Lake Charvak. This ski area is called Chimgan and has no less than one chairlift. In summer, this elevator is also open, so we ascend extremely slowly in a steel frame to the top. You yourself have to slide an iron tube in front of you to close the elevator. It feels crazy anyway without a snowboard on, but the state of the elevator created worry.

Ski resort Chimgan
The ski resort of Chimgan

Fortunately, it worked out fine, and the views were worth it. Few Westerners come because many locals want to take pictures of tourists and this was no exception on our trip. For winter sports, this area is too small for seasoned winter sports enthusiasts. As an experience, it was special, but this did not immediately warm our winter sports hearts.

Amirsoy
Next, we look at Uzbekistan’s newest winter sports project. The new government is keen on developing tourism. Therefore, the largest ski resort in Central Asia should be developed within a few years. The working name is Amirsoy, and experts from Andorra and France have already signed contracts to build this ski resort. They will begin construction of a gondola and drag elevator in 2019. Within a few years, a ski area should be developed with more than 20km of slopes. We’ll keep an eye on it for you.

Silk Road
Many people know Uzbekistan for its unique Silk Road cities. Along the trade route between China and Europe were important trading centres that were relatively rich. When the Islamic faith became dominant, ingenious buildings sprung up like mushrooms. Superb Islamic architecture with turquoise tiles and immense domes. Samarkand is the most famous, and Registan Square was our first destination.

Registan Samarkand
Samarkand’s famous Registan square

The first encounter is undoubtedly impressive. The bright blue tiles, the huge square and the many flowers. It is an oasis of civilisation in an increasingly arid environment. The Registan was perhaps the most important square between China and Europe in the 17th century. Several madrassas were built to educate and inform. Moreover, people here heard messages from the Dynasty leaders.

We could not stop shooting pictures and strolling around the madrassas. We then visit the Gur-e-Emir mausoleum of Timur Lenk, the mausoleum that served as the model for the Taj Mahal. 

To conclude our trip, we visit Bukhara, a more compact Silk Road city with a forest of historic buildings. Once again, it was above 40 degrees, but the buildings offer plenty of shaded areas. There is a lot of construction and restoration in the city. It looked like Uzbekistan was getting ready to open its borders. There are rumours that the visa requirement will be abolished in the near future. This will be incredibly interesting for Western tourists. We are keeping our eyes and ears open, and it won’t be long before Ryce travel can offer organised trips to Uzbekistan.

Chor Minor in the western city of Bukhara