This is the capital of Uzbekistan, it is one of the five largest cities by population among the CIS countries. Ancient buildings, mosques, museums and madrasas hide between modern buildings and skyscrapers. And colorful bazaars and markets where you can buy everything are surrounded by modern shopping centers. Tashkent is a very civilized and modern city, ideal for getting to know the East.

Samarkand was founded in the VIII century BC. This is one of the oldest cities on the planet. Samarkand has been a key point on the Great Silk Road for more than two thousand years. It is a precious pearl of Asia, the union of two worlds – the West and the East. It was an important political, scientific and cultural center, preserved a huge number of historical and cultural monuments. The whole city is included in the UNESCO Heritage List.

This is the heart of Samarkand. Once it was the center of city life, and after the construction of a beautiful architectural ensemble of the XV-XVII centuries, it became its pearl. Three madrasahs: Ulugbek, Shedror, Tillya-Kari surrounded the square. Their decor is varied, but they look great together. Today, various cultural events are held in Registan, and tourists here begin to get acquainted with the city.

This is another city that grew up on the Great Silk Road, which has become a real treasure of the East. It was founded 2500 years ago and since then it has developed rapidly. Bukhara is called a museum city. The main exhibits here are citadels, mosques, madrassas and mausoleums. Some are over 1,000 years old, and the Kalon Minaret is already about 2,300 years old. The historical center of Bukhara is included in the UNESCO Heritage List.

Small town, capital Khorezm region, which, according to legend, grew up around a well that was dug by one of Noah's sons. There are a huge number of amazing shrines and buildings in Khiva. The old city – Ichan Kala – was the first object in Central Asia to be taken under UNESCO protection. During its thousand-year history, fortresses, palaces and mosques were built, which tourists now admire.

This is the old city of Khiva, surrounded by a 2.5 km wall. Its height reaches 10 m, and its thickness is up to 6 m. Round defense towers are erected in the wall every 30 m. There are an incredible number of attractions in a city with an area of less than 1 km2. Ichan-Kala is a typical oriental ancient city. It is dotted with a lace of narrow, small streets leading to grandiose structures.

This is a dying sea on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Once it had huge natural reserves, and was a very attractive place to live. Due to the withdrawal of water from the rivers, which were the main source of food for the lake, it began to dry up. Today it is divided into two parts: Southern (Large) and Northern (Small). Once the Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world.

One of the squares of Bukhara, which was the center of trade, and now has become an object of admiration for tourists and locals. The first building on the square, which has survived to this day, was built in 1569. It was a Madrasah Kukeldash is the largest madrasah in Central Asia. Then the Divan-Beri Madrasah and the Divan-Beg khanaka appeared on the Lyabi House.

Ulugbek made a huge contribution to world astronomy, explaining the basics of this science and specifying the coordinates of more than 1000 stars. His observatory began to be built in 1424 on a hill Cook, and after 5 years it was equipped with a protractor with a radius of 40.21 m. The building itself was three-storied and had a height of 30.4 m. After the murder Ulugbek Observatory was abandoned. It was found only in 1908.

According to the legend, Tamerlane, returning from a campaign with a victory, ordered to build a mosque in honor of his beloved wife. Construction began in 1399, and 5 years later most of the work was completed. The best craftsmen from Khorezm, India, Iran, and the Golden Horde worked on the creation of the mosque. Grandiose in beauty and size, the building could accommodate 10 thousand people at the same time. The Bibi Khanum Mosque is the largest in Central Asia.

This is a complex of 14 mausoleums, in which the Samarkand elite is buried. It was created over the course of 9 centuries, constantly being completed. The ensemble is also called a cemetery street. The blue domes of mosques and mausoleums, which stretch one after another, resemble expensive necklaces from above. The last structure of the complex is the entrance to the crypt. To see the mausoleums, you need to climb 36 steps.

This is the oldest building in Bukhara, towering on a hill, which was manually built by slaves. A thousand and a half years ago, a ruler lived in it, and the foundation of the fortress was laid back in the IV-III centuries BC. The citadel was the residence of not only the ruler, but also poets, scientists and philosophers. It has survived many wars and absorbed the entire history of the East.

Gur-Emir was built by order of Muhammad Sultan at the beginning of the XV century. At first, the complex consisted of a madrasah, where children of the Samarkand nobility and khanak were taught. But after the sudden death of his grandson, the terribly grieving Amir Timur ordered the construction of a mausoleum, which was to complement the Gur-Emir ensemble. Its interior decoration is rich and luxurious, and at the top of the building there is a dome lined with blue mosaic.

The mausoleum was built in 1380 by order of Amir Timur is right over the grave of Burkhannedin Sagaraja. He became famous for his huge contribution to the spread of Islam among the nomads. To show respect, the ruler erected the mausoleum of Rukhabad. It is not distinguished by pomp or wealth. Everything is very strict and simple, without excessive gloss. Amir himself Timur, passing by the mausoleum, always got off his horse and walked.

It is a striking representative of early medieval architecture. There are three graves in the mausoleum, one of them belongs to his son Ismail Samani. The mausoleum was built in the IX century. It has a symbolic shape of a cube with a dome, and its walls resemble an openwork ornament. All the elements of jewelry merge together and represent a unique example of Central Asian architecture.

The minaret and the Kalyan Mosque belong to the most beautiful architectural ensemble in the center of Bukhara. They are located on the square Registan. The Kalyan Minaret is the oldest building on the square, it was built in 1127. During its existence, it was almost not repaired. The Kalyan Mosque is the second largest in Central Asia, its construction was completed in 1514. It is beautifully decorated with mosaics.

After the earthquake in 1966, there was an urgent need for cheap energy. It was decided to build the Charvak GRES. The 168-meter-high dam formed a blue, picturesque mountain lake. But its beautiful waters have hidden important archaeological sites. Once there were ancient settlements at the bottom of the lake. Scientists have conducted research and photographed them, and now they have completely disappeared.

Originally Amir Square Temura under the name Konstantinovsky Square was laid by order of the general Chernyaev in 1882. It was passable and was located at the intersection of two main streets of the city, which repeated the ancient trade routes. Subsequently, the square was modified many times. Only in 1994 it was renamed and a monument was erected in it Amir Temur.

It is the second tallest structure and the tallest TV tower in Central Asia. Its height is 375 meters, it is visible from anywhere in the city. It was put into operation after 6 years of construction in 1985. There is an observation deck inside the TV tower, it is located at an altitude of 100 meters. A little higher, on two floors, there are restaurants. Their platform rotates around the tower. While eating, you can once again admire the views.

This is one of the greatest deserts of Eurasia. Its area is 300 thousand km2. Even in the shade, temperatures in it rise to 50 degrees, and the sand heats up to 70-80 degrees. The longest tourist route between Bukhara and Khiva passes through the Kyzylkum desert. Its length is 450 km. Some types of tulips and herbs grow in the desert, jackals, snakes and birds live.

Among the mountains, almost completely surrounded by green peaks, lies the Fergana Valley. Its territory is 22 thousand km2, and together with the area of the Tan Shan Mountains, it is almost 80 thousand km2. The valley is fed by the waters of the Syr Darya and Naryn, it is an ideal place for animal husbandry and land science. There are several interesting cities on the territory of the valley, which tourists periodically visit.

The mountains are 80 km from Tashkent. The mountain range is relatively low, the average height of the mountains is 1500 meters, but it is considered one of the best places for winter holidays in Asia. There are many trails for skiers and hikers in the mountains. There are also conditions for mountaineering. In summer, the meadows where flowers grow are amazingly beautiful. Mountain villages accept tourists and provide them with housing.

Chorsu is located on Eski-Juva, the main square of Tashkent. This is an old colorful bazaar, where traders of oriental sweets and spices have been gathering for centuries. The bazaar is covered with an ornamental dome, which is designed to save from the heat. It is customary to bargain at this bazaar. A friendly attitude will help to bring down the price well and make excellent purchases.

Muynak was once one of the two main cargo and fishing ports of the Aral Sea. After the sea began to dry up, the fishery declined. The city froze in the past decades, grabbing at the remnants of once profitable water. The main attraction is the cemetery of no longer needed ships. Rusty, abandoned ships can be touched or even climbed on them.