Uzbekistan is a year-round travel destination and a great place to visit if you want to head somewhere “exotic”. The country offers a little something for everyone, although being landlocked, it’s not often a top choice for holidaymakers who want to head to the beaches. If you fancy doing something a little different on your next vacation, keep reading for five great reasons why you should visit Uzbekistan.
To Travel the Silk Road
The Silk Road stretches from Turkey all the way to China. While traveling the whole stretch of the road would take a lot of time, you can get to see three of the most important parts of the route in Uzbekistan. Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva were key stopping points for traders and all of them have been renovated and reinstated to their former glory. It’s possible to fit all of them in in a week of traveling, and you can book with a tour group if you want to ensure your itinerary is on point.
It’s a Great Place to Volunteer
If you want to head abroad to help people in need, Uzbekistan is a great country to visit – and one that is in need of more assistance than the more popular volunteer destinations. One charity that you could consider volunteering with is the “You Are Not Alone” foundation. Founded by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, this foundation helps abandoned and orphaned children and helps ensure they get a good education.
You Can Check Out a Living Museum
Khiva is a walled city that has been given UNESCO status. It’s basically a real-life museum as it’s still populated by businesses and families. The city was founded in the 6th Century and was originally a popular stop for traders (as mentioned above). A variety of mausoleums, mosques, and madrassas have all been restored here and are well worth a visit.
It Won’t Be Busy
It’s quite refreshing to head to a holiday destination and have the whole place to yourself, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Uzbekistan. The main tourists in the cities are other Uzbeks, so you won’t feel overcrowded, and you’ll actually get to view the main attractions without the long queues, high prices and crowds that most tourist destinations are known for.
It’s Easy to Get Around
In the old days, the main form of transportation in Uzbekistan may have been by camel, but this is no longer the case. Although you can travel by camel if you want to, the country has high speed trains and a great road system on offer for those who want to travel faster. Domestic flights within the country are also cheap. Bus services are common too, and if you visit Tashkent, you’ll find a modern metro with some beautifully ornate stations.
Although Uzbekistan may not be the first place you think of when you decide to head abroad, hopefully this article has convinced you to give it a try. It has much more to offer than you’d expect.
