14 | 10 - 23 MAY 2017 Travel www.TheEpochTimes.com : ancient heart of Central Asia

By Judith Baker

agical, mysterious and romantic – the very name Uzbekistan conjures up images of incredible Islamic Marchitecture, caravans along dusty roads, adventurers and explorers such as Geng- his Khan, Marco Polo and Alexander the

Great. © CARTARIUM | DREAMSTIME.COM The Central Asian country has attracted attention for centuries, with sites linked The land-locked country of Uzbekistan to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route has a long and fascinating cultural history. See www.welcomeuzbekistan.uz for inspiration between China and the Mediterranean. The first caravan laden with silk and mir- rors headed towards the Fergana Oasis here in 121 BC, and Alexander the Great passed through what is now Uzbekistan on his way east in 330–327 BC. Today, the nation is positioning itself to welcome a new breed of explorer as it steps up its efforts to promote tourism. In April this year the 5th International Uzbek Tourism World of Leisure exhibi- tion took place in to demon- strate the tourism potential of Uzbeki- stan. Stands showcasing the 14 regions of the republic participated, with 233 Uzbek travel companies taking part. As well as the amazing architecture seen in its cities and towns with their fairy-tale blue and gold minarets, mau- soleums and mosques, Uzbekistan has a wealth of experiences for the modern adventurer. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan became an independ- ent country in 1991, and the people of this young nation have an energy that is wel- coming and warm.

Judith Baker is a travel writer based in London, UK. She is a member of The Brit- ish Guild of Travel Writers

The walls of the 6th century city of Khiva

Main image: A minaret in the walled city of Khiva Right: Gur-Emir Mausoleum Below: Statue of Ulugbek at the obervatory museum

What to see

CITIES the lowest part of which was placed in a deep trench. Khiva. The walled open-air city of Khiva is a living country, the Uzbeks produce exceptional wines. The observatory was excavated in the early 20th cen- museum where it seems time has stood still. Pro- . The highlight of any trip here is the tury when it was rediscovered by archaeologists. Many tected by UNESCO it is still populated by Uzbek CRAFTS breath-taking Registan square in Samarkand, of Ulugbek’s star charts survived, and copies can be families and businesses. Dating from the 6th cen- The colourful bazaars and markets in Uzbekistan built between the 15th and 17th centuries (detail seen in the little museum here. tury, it was a successful and valued Silk Road trad- are a shopper’s paradise. Lengths of brightly col- pictured below). A space of majestic madrasas Ulugbek is buried next to his grandfather. I vis- ing city – and its ornate mosques, vast oured fabric, silk rugs and scarves are piled up (religious schools), it is the centrepiece of the ited his and Temur’s tomb in the beautifully recon- mausoleums and madrasas alongside beautiful ceramics and wood carvings. city, and some say the most awesome sight in structed Gur-Emir Mausoleum before walking have been painstakingly The first paper mill outside China was established Central Asia. The three grand edifices here are through the winding, narrow streets of Samarkand, restored. in Samarkand in 751, and silk paper can still among the world’s oldest preserved madrasas – once called a “noble and great city” by Marco Polo. be found made into books, bags and even a wealth of azure ceramics, with interiors of gold. The best way to travel from Tashkent to Samar- NATURAL WONDERS little dolls. Clay figures can be seen on stalls In its heyday the square would have been alive kand is by train. The Afrosiyob train takes 2 hours As well as the cities and on pavements, many with comical faces. with activity as the whole city congregated here to make the journey and runs seven days a week. with their fascinating to talk, pray and trade. mosques and mauso- CULTURE Also in Samarkand, which is a UNESCO World Her- Tashkent. Tashkent – Uzbekistan’s capital – was leums, Uzbekistan has The Uzbeks never miss an opportunity for itage site, I found the observatory of Ulugbek, grand- completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1966, mountain ranges with music and dance. The rhythm of drums and son of Temur or Tamerlane, Uzbekistan’s most famous while the country was under Soviet rule, but it is great skiing, wild open tambourines accompany dances usually tell- conqueror. Ulugbek (1394–1449) was a great astron- now rebuilt and the old and new stand side by spaces and waterfalls, rivers, ing a love story. Women wear brightly coloured omer, scientist and architect. One of the highlights of side. Don’t miss the atmospheric Bazaar lakes and deserts. You can take a 4x4 safari costumes and headdresses, which sway as their the observatory is a major astronomical instrument, and the Kukeldash Madrasa, the best-known his- through the Kyzylkum and Karakum Deserts movements become increasingly energetic. torical monument in town built in the 16th cen- and even stay in a traditional yurt. tury. By contrast, the imposing Hotel Uzbekistan is an example of Soviet architecture. FOOD USEFUL INFORMATION Tashkent is said to have the most elegant metro Uzbeks pride themselves on their distinctive cui- • Uzbekistan Airways, uzbekistanairways. in the world, and a trip underground reveals pala- sine, which is rich and hearty. Plov is the national com, fly direct to Tashkent from London tial underground stations, each unique with dish and there are 14 different types. It is cooked Heathrow airport. mosaics, marble, glass and ceramics. in vegetable oil with rice, meat (usually • Visas are required for entry and can be beef or lamb), onions, carrots and other obtained by contacting the Embassy, Bukhara. One of the oldest cities vegetables. Cooking plov is a lengthy uzbekembassy.org. in the world, Bukhara is home to process usually carried out by men. • Best time to visit: spring or autumn, as it the Kalon Minaret, one of its defin- Women prepare flat breads (pictured can be very hot in the summer. ing symbols, built in 1127. At 47 left), which are baked in a special clay • Language: Uzbeks speak Uzbek and some metres high it is thought to have oven, and often go to great lengths Russian. English is understood in major been the tallest building in Central to decorate them using colouring and cities and hotels. Asia at that time. seeds. Although predominantly a Muslim • Do your research on local laws and customs.