In the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan houses some of the world's most beautiful buildings. A major crossroads of the Silk Road, this land of steppes, deserts and mountains was settled very early. The blue mosaics of Uzbekistan's mosques and cultural centers are known worldwide. Five Uzbek sites are inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Be sure to add them to your itinerary when planning your trip to Uzbekistan :

Samarkand

Samarkand is one of Central Asia's must-see destinations. This ancient city, founded in the 7th century, preserves beautiful buildings, the most famous of which is the Registan. A crossroads of civilizations and worlds, Samarkand has witnessed the succession of peoples and empires over more than 2,500 years. The earliest traces of habitation date back to 1500 BCE.

Afrosiab, the ancient name of the city, was founded in the 7th century and then destroyed by the Mongol invasion and Genghis Khan. Only ruins remain of this ancient city. The most well-known part of the city was built under the Timurid Empire, in the 14th and 15th centuries, while the more recent part was built by Russians and Europeans.

All these mixed influences are beautifully preserved in Samarkand, creating a culture, architecture and history without equal. The city was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2001.

Bukhara

A true museum-city, Bukhara was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list as early as 1993. Center of the Silk Road, Bukhara was also an important religious center (Muslim), as evidenced by its numerous perfectly preserved mosques and madrasas. More than 150 monuments in the old city are preserved. Built at different times and under different influences, they nonetheless display a perfect harmony in the city's architecture, which earned it UNESCO recognition.

Most of Bukhara's buildings date from the 16th century or later. The Mongol invasions indeed caused the destruction of the ancient city, for the most part. However, certain landmark monuments survived, such as the famous Tomb of Ismail Samanai, dating from the 10th century, or the Poi-Kalon minaret from the 11th century.

Itchan Kala

This walled enclosure was the first Uzbek site to appear on UNESCO's World Heritage list, in 1990. Itchan Kala is located in the city of Khiva, another must-see destination during a stay in Uzbekistan. It contains more than 60 historical monuments: mosques, palaces, minarets... Together they form the national architecture museum.

The city was one of the most important rest stops on the Silk Road. The brick walls stand about 10 meters high and served as fortification. The Djuma mosque is one of the most beautiful in the country and a magnificent example of Islamic art.

Shakhrisabz

Less well-known, this city nonetheless contains some of Uzbekistan's finest treasures. Birthplace of Tamerlane (Amir Timur), its name translates as "the green city". It is home to magnificent medieval buildings, also adorned with pale blue. The most famous is the immense Ak-Sarai Palace, surely the most impressive in the country. Shakhrisabz offers a lovely blend of architectural styles that promises visitors a journey through history, century by century. It was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000.

Tian Shan Mountains

UNESCO does not only record humanity's cultural and historical heritage, but also Earth's natural heritage. In 2016, the organization added the Western Tian Shan mountain range to its list. This section of the Celestial Mountains peaks at 4,503 meters altitude. Lower than their Kyrgyzstani cousins, these mountains cover approximately 21 percent of Uzbekistan's territory.

They are home to a unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity. Among protected animals are bears, wolves, and of course the splendid snow leopard.