Often overlooked as a vacation destination, Uzbekistan is nonetheless a magnificent country to visit, whether for its Silk Road heritage, its deserts waiting to be explored, and its artisanal culture bursting with color. Moreover, the country continues to modernize and open up to tourism, with the implementation of electronic visa systems and visa exemptions for certain countries, including France. Here are our 7 reasons to travel to Uzbekistan.

1 – Trace the Silk Road

This reason alone should be enough to book your trip to Uzbekistan : heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan has preserved some of the most beautiful historical monuments, UNESCO-listed. Beautifully preserved, Uzbekistan's ancient cities such as Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara gleam with blue mosaics. These historically rich sites will take you back in time, following in the footsteps of great Emirs and humble merchants with their caravans. A crossroads of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan has inherited various cultures and techniques that are still visible today. In these historic centers, you can also admire the ancient art of weaving or traditional paper-making.

2 – Dive into Soviet History

Like other Central Asian countries, modern Uzbekistan is a beautiful blend of cultures and histories that might seem incompatible. Persian traditions and yurts, the Silk Road and the Soviet Union, everything blends in Uzbekistan to give the country a truly unique atmosphere. Tashkent, the capital, is a perfect example, with on one side the typical Uzbek city, featuring the Khast Imam complex and Chorsu bazaar ; on the other, enormous Soviet constructions, the most famous being the hotel (Hotel Uzbekistan) on Amir Timur Square. In Nukus, you can even admire the world's second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde art !

3 – Discover Local Craftsmanship

Walking through the streets of Uzbekistan, you'll pause more than once before a souvenir vendor. Carpets, plates, and Uzbek dolls are renowned worldwide and often decorate European homes. Uzbek craftsmanship beautifies streets across the globe with its countless colors and style typical of the region. Take time to visit workshops and purchase some local artworks : the blue ceramics of Rishtan, the mulberry paper of Samarkand, or the traditional cap called « tubeteika ».

4 – Explore the Desert and Mountains

Did you know that two-thirds of Uzbekistan is covered by desert ? The Kyzyl Kum desert is one of the largest in the world. Nicknamed the red sand desert, it promises adventure and discovery on a trip to Uzbekistan. You can explore the desert on foot, horseback, or, for more authenticity, by camel. It's also the perfect place to sleep in a yurt and enjoy a starlit sky untainted by light pollution.

But Uzbekistan also hides lovely mountains and forests, particularly near Sentob, a Tajik village nestled in the Nurata Mountains. An ideal starting point for off-the-beaten-path treks !

5 – See What Remains of the Aral Sea

In the Karakalpakstan region, on the border with Kazakhstan, you'll encounter the Little Aral Sea, now almost completely dried up. This is an opportunity to understand the consequences of intensive agriculture and climate change. The Aral Sea has lost nearly 90 percent of its volume, largely due to the diversion of rivers for cotton cultivation in Central Asia. A visit to the Aral Sea allows you to grasp the importance of preserving our planet and humanity's responsibility to the Earth. Moreover, the few locals who still live there will be delighted to share their testimony of this disappearance of the sea.

6 – Visit the Fergana Valley

This region in southeastern Uzbekistan is shared with Kyrgyzstan. It is the most densely populated region of Central Asia, and has been for centuries. The fertile lands of this mountainous region have attracted many populations, making Fergana today a true « melting pot » of cultures, languages, and peoples. Among other things, you'll find the finest watermelons here. The Fergana Valley deserves a trip of its own, so complex and diverse it is. It's also an opportunity to cross the border and continue your journey into neighboring Kyrgyzstan, land of endless mountains and nomads.

7 – Feast on Local Cuisine

Uzbek and Central Asian cuisine in general is delicious, especially for meat lovers. From marinated meat skewers (shashlik) to the unmissable plov, with each country claiming its own recipe, your taste buds will be delighted ! Most importantly, you must absolutely try the famous Samarkand bread. Even the Emir of Bukhara had his bread brought from Samarkand, because it's only in this legendary city that it is so fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth !