Tashkent
Tashkent (Uzbek: Toshkent or Тошкент; Russian: Ташкент) is the capital, and largest city of Uzbekistan. It is an ancient city on the Great Silk Road from China to Europe. Once the fourth-largest city in the Soviet Union, Tashkent was rebuilt in a Soviet style after the devastating 1966 earthquake, and little remains from its ancient Central Asian past. Since the start of the millennium the Uzbek government has embarked on a major reconstruction program in the centre of the city. Roads, government buildings and parks have all been reconstructed (many historical buildings and sites were bulldozed in the process). To the visitor, the new city looks very impressive with its wide avenues, parks and modern buildings, although many of the local residents have yet to see any improvement in their residential areas.
Understand
[edit]The city has a mixture of modern new office buildings, hotels, parks, and crumbling Soviet-style apartment blocks. The streets are generally clean and there are not too many potholes in the city centre. Further out, the infrastructure is not so good.
Tashkent has a population of 2.6 million people (2020).
Climate
[edit]Tashkent has a typical continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best seasons for travel to Tashkent are Apr-May and Sep-Oct.
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Talk
[edit]Although Uzbek is now the official language, Russian is the native language for most Tashkent dwellers, although most also speak Uzbek. Most businesses use Russian in their signs, menus, and other printed material. Only government institutions use Uzbek as the first language, and even then, many government forms and reports are in Russian, rather than Uzbek. Uzbek now uses the Latin alphabet rather than the Cyrillic that was used during the Soviet Union. This is a source of some confusion for many Uzbeks, especially those of the older generation. Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union and Uzbek independence in 1991, the written Uzbek language was converted back into Latin characters. Many older Uzbeks have difficulty reading the Latin characters. Uzbek is a Turkic-based language, and while Uzbeks and Turks cannot completely communicate directly, the better educated on both sides can usually find some common understanding.
Many of the signs in Tashkent are in Cyrillic. A significant number of Russian words are similar to their English counterparts. Learning the Cyrillic alphabet, not as difficult as one might think, will help a traveller to read signs and in restaurants. It is very useful for the casual visitor to Tashkent to learn a few basic Russian or Uzbek words and phrases. If you need to speak English, young people are your best bet, and even then there is no guarantee that they will speak more than basic English.
The name Tashkent is usually attributed to the Turkish word "tash" ("stone") and the Persian word "kent" ("city"), meaning "city of stones". Another opinion refers to the Sogdian word "tschatsch", meaning "place on a hill".
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]1 Tashkent International Airport ((TAS IATA)) (8 km south of city centre). There are frequent flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, other Russian cities, Dubai, Istanbul (where most western visitors will change), Almaty, Bishkek and Dushanbe. The international terminal T2 is north side of the runway, as marked on the map; T1 adjacent is simply an arrivals hall. Domestic flights are from Bukhara, Nukus, Urgench and Termez, using Terminal 3 which is 4 km south across the runway. So to transfer from an international to a domestic flight you have to clear immigration and customs with your luggage (which isn't through-checked) then hope that the hourly "Uzport" transfer bus is running. Gleeful taxi drivers are pretty sure it isn't. 
To town: the official taxi rank is just outside T2, ignore all touts and other offers, and if possible arrange your ride through your accommodation or Yandex Go, the Uber of the steppes. The ride takes 15 min to a city center and in 2024 a local might pay 25,000 Som, all of US$3. Visitors risk being charged a ransom so always negotiate and fix the fare in advance, and ensure that it's for all of you with luggage. But you'd better of just ordering a taxi via Yandex Go. Important: if you bought a travel e-sim for Uzbekistan before arriving, Yandex Go can freeze and not load for some reason, so you'll have to use VPN to make it work.
The bus stand is 50 m away across the parking lot, from Arrivals bear left to reach it. Buses run 06:00-22:00: buses 47, 11 and 9 take 40 min to city centre, Bus 40 runs to the main railway station, Bus 67 to Oybek metro and then on to the central square. Fares are trifling, see Get Around, but you need Uzbek small change.
By train
[edit]The central hub for trains in Uzbekistan with most domestic trains ending or start in Tashkent. The most attractive connections are to Samarkand with the super fast Afrosiob train and the Sharq which continues to Bukhara. For Khiva and Termez there are night trains with comfortable sleeping berths. Make sure that you buy ticket a few days in advance or arrive at least 1 hour before train departure, as the queue for ticket office is often long and chaotic with people jumping the queue. For domestic departure times see the Uzbekistan#Get around section.
Tashkent is also a key stopping point for rail services from Central Asia. It is possible to travel from Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Moscow. It is possible to travel from China through Almaty and from Iran. Ticket prices are cheap by Western standards, but will need to be paid for in cash, preferably in US dollars. There are many warnings about thefts of personal belongings on the trains.
- Train 6 leaves Moscow on M W F at 23:16, arriving at Tashkent on Sa Tu Th at 21:00
- Train 486 leaves Chelyabinsk on Su at 23:50, arriving at Tashkent on W at 00:45.
There are two train stations in Tashkent. 'Vokzal' is the name in Russian for station.
The 2 Tashkent Railway Station (Toshkent Vokzal) (Severny Vokzal, ТАШКЕНТ, ТАШКЕНТ Ц, ТАШКЕНТ ПАСС ЦЕНТР), Kichik Xalqa Yo'li (Metro station "Toshkent"). Formerly the Severnay Vokzal or Severny Vokzal (North station), it is located south of the centre at the end of Shevchenko street. For many years it was the main station for all services to or from Tashkent. It is now used for the Afrosiyob service to Samarkand and Bukhara. It is a grand, blue-windowed structure dating to the early 1980s. You’ll need photo ID to pass through the two security checkpoints to get into the grounds and then into the station. There are a few snack bars inside once you're through. It is served by Tashkent metro station on the blue Uzbekistan Line. Attempting to buy the ticket is likely to be the most stressful part of your rail journey, but it’s always busy: try to get it elsewhere if you can. There are two ticket booths: one inside the main station to the right as you enter, and a second in the foreigners' ticket office behind the station. Sadly, the latter is often closed. You will need your passport to buy a train ticket and it is helpful if you write down both your destination and the six-digit date you wish to travel so as to avoid confusion.
To be on the safe side, you should try and get there 30 min before departure; sometimes a big queue forms at the different security checks.
There are no banking services inside the railway station; the nearest bank is either across from the station on the corner with Shevshenko street, or on Amir Timur street, just past the bridge.
You can find some stolovaya food upstairs in the train station if you are desperate. 24/7 luggage storage is available.
To get to/from the train station, you can take the metro, a city bus from the big bus stop to one side of the train station, or a taxi. 
The 3 South Station (Janubiy Vokzal) (ТАШКЕНТ ЮЖНЫЙ, ТАШКЕНТ ЮЖ) (Metro station "Chilonzor"). This station which is often written as 'Yuzhnyy' or 'Yuzhniy' is located southwest of the city centre on Isman Nasir Street. Disused for 25 years it reopened in April 2018 after being refurbished and is now used for the sleeper services from Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench and Khiva. From/to the station there are quite a number of bus lines running either to the city or to the closest metro station. Be careful that the nearest metro station "Chilonzor" is still a 3.4 km walk from the station - if you come by metro you will need to then hop on one of the frequent buses with Janubiy Vokzal displayed on the front.
By bus
[edit]4 Tashkent Bus Terminal (Avtovokzal), Bunyodkor, corner with Gavkhar (Metro Olmazor), ☏ +998 71 207 8700. Buses from far and wide converge here: they're the principle form of public transport and sell out, so buy tickets in advance. International buses run from Almaty (17 hours, not daily). Domestic buses run from Samarkand (6 hr), Bukhara (11 hr), Urgench / Khiva (20 hr) and elsewhere. Many routes are also served by marshrutkas, faster but more cramped. The terminal is reasonably clean, with ticket kiosks, cafes and paid toilets. It's 10 km southwest of city centre: the Metro station, local marshrutkas and taxis to get downtown are on its south side.
By taxi
[edit]By car
[edit]There are road routes from surrounding countries but the borders may not be open and there have been security problems. The border from Afghanistan is sometimes closed or not open to Uzbek nationals. You have to walk at least 4 km to cross the border on foot from the Uzbek checkpoint to the Afghan checkpoint.
The Cherniaevka crossing from Kazakhstan near Saryagash. Allow 1-2 hours to get through, especially from the Uzbek side. OK, but long, long queues. Take the left line at Uzbek customs. They want you to declare any mobile phones as communications devices.
From Kyrgyzstan, the Dostlik post 30km from Andijan is open from 09:00-18:00. From Tajikistan Oiybek Post, 80 km from Tashkent, is open for foreigners from 09:00-18:00. Tursanzade Post, 60 km from Dushanbe Tajikistan, is open for foreigners and locals 180 km from Termez. Chorzhu Post on the border of Turkmenistan, 30 km from Bukhara, is also open to foreigners and locals.
Distances from Tashkent by road: Almaty in Kazakhstan 810 km, Ashgabat in Turkmenistan 1,290 km, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan 570 km, Kashgar in China 880 km, Andijan 392 km, Bokhara 600 km, Ferghana 325 km, Karshi 430 km, Khiva 1,045 km, Kokand 236 km, Nukus 1,115 km, Samarkand 295 km, Termez 705 km, Urgench 1,020 km.
Get around
[edit]
By metro
[edit]
The city has a good public transport system which is cheap. The metro/underground system is typical of the old Soviet-style with large and impressive stations and is quite modern. Stations are richly themed. For example, Kosmonavtlar is a lavish monument to Uzbekistan's contribution to the Soviet space programme.
Since June 2018 the metro is not considered as military installations and therefore it is now permitted to take photographs in the metro stations.
In all cases do have documents while you are taking the metro (or anywhere in the city), for you can be checked any time by the police.
Tashkent Metro has four lines:
- Chilonzor (Red line) from Janubiy to Turkistan.
- Uzbekistan (Blue line) from Beruniy to Chkalov.
- Yunus-Obod (Green line) from Sabir Rakhimov to Buyuk Ipak Yuli.
- Circle Line from Tekhnopark to Quruvchilar.
Trains depart ever 3-10 minutes. A paper ticket with a QR-code is 2000 som from the cashier at the stations. You can also pay your fare by tapping your Visa or Mastercard on the turnstile. Atto-cards are available for purchase from the cashier for frequent travelers, valid on the Metro and buses. The fare if you use your credit card or the Atto-card, is 1700 som, as of 2023.
By bus
[edit]There are also modern buses (green). The tram service was closed down in 2016, with the lines being converted to wider roads. The fare on the bus, if paid by cash is 2000 som. You may also tap your Visa/Mastercard/Atto-card on a card reader near any door. In this case, the fare is 1700 som. Contrary to many western cities, you are not required to tap your card immediately after boarding. If there is a conductor, he will ask you to tap the card in front of him, or tap the card for you. If there is no conductor, tap the card when you exit the bus. In case you feel uncomfortable "riding without a ticket", you can alternatively tap when entering and indicate that you already tapped if a conductor carries out checks. This might seem strange to foreigners, but it's based on the Uzbek culture of honesty and trust, so please don't abuse it.
Marshrutkas also operate around the city but are more expensive, around 2500-3000 som is a normal fare. Routes and schedules can be found from Easyway journey planner.
By taxi
[edit]Official taxis should be ordered in advance at the hotel reception, they are metered and issue receipts from a machine. As of March 2018, the rate was 6,000 som per km.
While there are official, authorized taxis (with the appropriate sign on the roof of the car), in reality almost any driver in Tashkent can double as a taxi driver. The local custom is to simply stand by the side of the road with your arm extended downward and slightly away from the body. A driver will pull over and then you will state your destination and ask the fare in advance. There is a common agreement on the prices, so real negotiation will be rarely be necessary or successful, only at night some drivers ask twice the usual fare. Getting from the center to the airport should be around 15,000 som, a city trip of 3 km or more around 8,000 som (March 2018).
At least some Russian or Uzbek language skills are needed to accomplish this without difficulty. It is usually safe to use this procedure, although virtually every foreign embassy recommends against it. Directions are rarely given here using an address. Most often, a landmark is used, such as "near Hotel Russia". Moreover, many streets and hotels have been renamed in the past few years and often drivers will not recognize the current name of the street or hotel, still knowing them by their old names. Asking to be taken to the Grand Mir Hotel, for instance, will often result in a blank look. Tell the driver you want to go to the Gastinitsa Rossiya (Hotel Russia), however, and they will know exactly where you want to go. For those who speak neither Russian nor Uzbek, it is helpful to have someone draw a rudimentary map or write out directions in Russian. Few drivers will know English and most have troubles reading the maps on smartphones.
Downloading an offline Google or OSM map of the city in advance is a good idea. There are various apps available for phones. You can show it to the driver and guide him provided you know a few Russian words: nalieva - left, priama - straight, naprava - right.
Looking for landmarks, addresses or hotels on Google maps is not easy because of the multiple languages and spelling. Search in advance and bookmark your destinations.
Do not expect Western-style taxi services. Taxi drivers will often smoke while you are in the car and asking them not to will most often result in nothing more than a look of disapproval. You may be paying, but you are in their car. There are many taxi services operating in the city with fixed rates and a person can order the taxi from their hotel room. There are some web sites offering complete lists of taxi services and taxi charges.
An Uber style service is available from Yandex. Download the YandexGo app to use this. It supports English language. Uber itself does not operate in Tashkent.
Taxis within the city can be reserved by calling Taxi Express, Tel 1399999 or 16360272.
By scooter
[edit]You can find a vast network of various scooters (samokats) spread around the town, which you can rent using their respective applications, and easily travel around the city with them, for example to/from metro stations to your accomodation. If you know Bolt scooters in Europe, that's the same thing.
The most famous one is Yandex Go (yellow colored) and there are also different local brands. The price in 2024 for Yandex scooters varies from 890 sum per minute to 620 sum per minute if you buy bigger minute packages.
By car
[edit]Hardly any international car hire companies operate in Tashkent. Some are based near the airport and a smaller car will cost $30 per day typically. Sixt and Hertz do now operate in Uzbekistan.
On foot
[edit]If you come from Western Europe, where cities can be visited walking and metro stations are everywhere, be warned that Tashkent proportions are truly monumental. Many streets have ten lanes and buildings are huge, with plenty of space around. Plan your visit ahead and check the distances.
See
[edit]Old Town
[edit]
- 1 Khazret Imam Complex is a collection of religious buildings 2 km north of city centre (Metro Gafur Gulom). It was assembled piecemeal from the 16th to 21st centuries, so although it's impressive, it doesn't have the unity or geometry of (for instance) the Registan of Samarkand, and it's transected by the wide pedestrian mall of Zarkaynar Street. The complex is free to enter daily 09:00-21:00, but individual buildings have their own admission.
- Barak-Khan Madrasah is west side of the complex, built in 1532. It contains two mausoleums: of Suyunchxoʻjaxon the first Shaybanid ruler of Tashkent, and the "nameless" mausoleum intended for Barakh-Khan or Baroqxun, but he's buried in Samarkand.
- Tellya Sheikh Mosque south side of the complex was built from 1890 to 1902.
- Moyi Mubarek Madrasah (next to Tellya Sheikh Mosque). Daily 09:00-16:00. This building of 1857 houses the world's oldest Quran, written 644/648 AD (23-27 AH). Adult 40,000 som.
- Hazrati Imam Jome Mosque east side of the complex was built in 2007 in traditional style.
- Mausoleum of Abu Bakr Muhammad Qaffol Shoshiy is in the northwest corner of the complex. Qaffol Shoshiy was a scholar and holy man who died in 976 AD: "Qaffol" means locksmith, yet another of his skills. The original tomb didn't survive and was replaced by this mausoleum in 1542.
- Namazgokh Mosque north side of the complex was built in 1850s. It's now part of the adjacent Islamic Institute.
- Imam Al Bukhari Islamic Institute northeast edge of the complex is an active madrasah opened in 1971. It's a humdrum modern building, no tourist visits.
- Eshon Guzar or Oxunguzar is the name of three mosques in Tashkent and a suburb to the southwest. The one worth looking for is the mosque at the south end of Karasaray St, if you walked from Metro Gafur Gulom towards the Khazret Imam Complex: it's a distinctive redbrick design.
- 2 Kukeldash Madrasah, Navio Prospect (Metro Chorsu). Daily 08:00-18:00. This yellow-brick madrasah was built in 1570 by the vizier, scientist and poet Kulbobo Kukeldash - Kukeldash means "the Khan's foster brother'. It's been a caravanserai, fort and museum but since the 1990s is again a madrasah. It's ranged around a large courtyard with hujras (pupils' cells) and darshakona and mosque in the corners. Adult 15,000 som.
- Dzhuma Mosque or Khoja Ahror Valiy Mosque is next to Kukeldash Madrasah, prominent on raised ground. It was built in 1451.
- 3 Shayhantaur is a small burial complex; in Soviet times the name applied to a whole city district. It's free to enter daily 09:00-16:00, from its east side off Abdulla Qodiriy (Metro Alisher Navoiy or Paxtakor). The complex was wrecked in the 1966 earthquake and only 3 of its 16 monuments survived.
- Sheihantaur Mausoleum inters the 13th century Sheikh Hovendi at-Tahur. It was built in the 14th century but much altered since.
- Khavendi Takhur Sheikh Mausoleum a few metres south was built in the 14th century, but re-built in the 18th and 19th. It's plain within.
- Kaldyrgach-biy Mausoleum is a few metres north: its pyramidal dome invokes the tents of the Kazakh steppes. Kaldyrgach (meaning "swallow", the bird) was a 15th century ruler. However that was also the nickname of 17th / 18th century statesman Tole-biy (further commemorated by interminable boulevards in Tashkent and beyond), and it's unclear whether he too is buried here.
- Yunus Khan Mausoleum 100 m west was part of the complex but is now within the grounds of the Islamic University and seldom accessible to others. You could try looking academic and strolling in off Navoi. Yunus Khan (1415-1487) was a descendant of Gengiz Khan and grandfather of the Indian moghul Babur. He's not buried here, his resting place is unknown, so the mausoleum was presumably erected in his lifetime.
- 4 Abdulkasim Madrassa, Bunyodkor (Metro Milliy Bog). This madrassa was erected in 1850 in honour of the scholar Abdulkhasim Khan. It's now a crafts outlet.
- Legislative Chamber of the Supreme Assembly is the imposing modern building just south of Abdulkasim Madrassa. Since 2005 the parliament (Oliy Majlis) of Uzbekistan is bicameral, and the lower or legislative chamber seats 150 elected deputies. No admittance except on business. The Senate or upper chamber is on Mustakillik Maydoni, Independence Square.
- 5 Kukcha Mosque (Sheikh Zayniddin Jami Mosque), Mannon Uygur (Metro Bunyodkor). Huge mosque rebuilt in the 1990s. In the garden behind is the mausoleum of Sheikh Zayniddin, a Sufi holy man. He lived in the 12th-13th centuries but the mausoleum is 16th century, rebuilt in the 19th.
Other religious
[edit]
- 6 Holy Assumption Cathedral, Avliyuata 91 (Metro Toshkent), ☏ +998 71 233 3321. Daily 08:00-20:00. Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1871. It was closed down by the Soviets but restored in 1945, and enlarged in the 1990s with the bell tower rebuilt in 2010.
- 7 St Alexander Nevsky Church is a dinky Orthodox funeral chapel within Botkin cemetery, built 1904.
- 8 Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sadyk Azimov 37, ☏ +998 90 990 2516. Su 10:00-12:00. Built in 1899 to serve the city's German community. Under the communists it was variously a warehouse, opera studio and concert hall, then re-consecrated in the 1990s.
- 9 Sacred Heart Cathedral, Taraqqiyot ko'chasi, ☏ +998 71 233 7035. M 09:30-12:30, Tu-Sa 09:30-12:30, 15:30-18:00, Su 09:00-18:00. Roman Catholic church first built as a chapel for Polish prisoners of war in 1884. A larger church took shape from 1912 but was suppressed by the Bolsheviks. In the 1930s the parish priest held secret masses here, hiding in plain sight, until the communists had him shot. It had a series of secular uses and became derelict, but was re-built from 1993, re-consecrated in 2000 and promoted to cathedral in 2005. Free.
- 10 Mirzo-Yusuf Mosque, Bogyshamol 98 (Metro Bodomzor). M-Sa 10:00-20:00. Built in the 1880s, this is large and tranquil but fairly plain.
- 11 Minor Mosque, Kichik Xalqa Yo'li (Little Ring Road) (Metro Bodomzor), ☏ +998 71 235 1733. 24 hours. Grand mosque in gleaming white marble, built in 2013/4 in traditional style. "Minor" means minarets but the mosque is named for its neighbourhood of that name. Free.
Museums
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- 12 State Museum of the Temurids (Temuriylar Tarixi Davlat Muzeyi), Amur Timur 1 (Metro Amir Temur Xiyoboni or Yunus Rajabiy), ☏ +998 71 232 0766, temurid@temurid.uz. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. Timur (1336 – 1405) was the brutal and brilliant nomad warrior who united much of central Asia under his rule and laid waste far beyond. He was badly injured while livestock-rustling in childhood, hence his western name of Tamerlane, Timur the lame. When Uzbekistan became independent in 1991 its rulers sought a national cultural narrative and legitimacy, and fastened upon Timur. This grand building opened in 1996 is as much a shrine and political statement as a museum. Adult 40,000 Soʻm.
- Tashkent Polytechnic Museum, AK UzAuto, Amir Temur 13 (200 m south of Amir Temur Park), ☏ +998 71 232 3430. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. This mostly displays antique and Soviet-era cars. Adult 20,000 Soʻm.
- 13 Museum of Applied Arts (Davlat Amaliy San'at Muzeyi), Rakatboshi 15 (Metro Kosmonavtlar), ☏ +998 712 256 4042. Daily 09:00-18:00. Charming small museum of traditional arts and crafts, in a 19th century merchant's mansion. Adult 25,000 Soʻm.
- 14 Art Gallery of Uzbekistan, Buyuk Turon 2 (Metro Mustaqilliq Maidoni). Tu-Sa 11:00-17:00. Exhibitions of contemporary Uzbek artists in a modern building. Overpriced for what you get. Adult 50,000 Soʻm.
- 15 State Museum of Arts (Oʻzbekiston Davlat Sanʼat Muzeyi), Shakhrisabz, corner of Amir Temur (Metro Ming Orik), ☏ +998 71 236 7436. Temporarily closed. Large collection of Russian and European art, many depicting Uzbek people and their lifestyle and antiquities. The previous curator should be out of jail by now, he served a long sentence for selling the works on the black market and replacing them with copies. No info on the length of the temporary closure, which is possibly to stop him having another go.
- 16 State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan (Oʻzbekiston tarixi davlat muzeyi), Sharaf Rashidova 3 (Metro Mustaqilliq Maidoni or Kosmonavtlar), ☏ +998 71 239 1779. Temporarily closed. The first floor is a small exhibition area, the second covers from the Stone Age to the takeover by the Soviet Union, and the third is dedicated to independent Uzbekistan from 1990. Signage is in Uzbek, Russian and English, but patchy and dimly lit. The museum has been closed for refurbishment since June 2024 with no word on timescale. Adult 50,000 Soʻm.
- 17 , Navoi 69 (Metro Alisher Navoiy or Paxtakor), ☏ +998 712 410 275. M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-13:00. Ali-Shir Nava'i or Alisher Navoi (1441-1501) was an administrator, poet and prolific author who wrote in Turkic (predecessor to a family of languages that includes Uzbek) and proclaimed its superiority over Persian the official language. He lived mostly in Herat (now in Afghanistan) but became a cultural hero across the entire Turkic world, with dozens of statues, draughty boulevards and institutes nowadays named after him. This museum displays manuscripts and artworks.
- Old TV Tower stands immediately south of the Alisher Navoy Museum. In 1981 it was superseded by the new tower, below.
- 18 Hirayama Ikuo Cultural Caravanserai, Yusufa Khos Khodzhiba 37 (Metro Kosmonavtlar), ☏ +998 71 252 7473. Daily 09:00-20:00. Ikuo Hirayama (平山 郁夫, 1930-2009) painted dreamy scenes of the Silk Road across central Asia. His legacy funded this exhibition space for contemporary Uzbek art, his own work isn't displayed here. Free.
- 19 Museum of telecommunication of Uzbekistan, 5 Abay ko'chasi.
- 20 House of Photography (Дом фотографии), Istikbol str. (Metro station Amir Temur Xiyoboni 5-min walk), ☏ +998 71 233-5168, +998 71 233-5164. Small exhibition hall
- 21 Railway Museum, Central Cultural Palace of Railwaymen (Museum of Rail Transport, Temir yol texnikasy muzeyi), 6 Turkiston ko'chasi (улица Туркистон) (Metro station Toshkent), ☏ +998 71 299 7277, +998 71 299-7040, +998 71 259-6708. Daily 09:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00, Sanitary days: Monday, Tuesday (not working excursion train and car museum).
- Museum of Victims of Repressions, Amir Temur (Opposite new TV tower, Metro Shahriston), ☏ +998 71 212 3685. Tu-Sa 09:00-13:00, 1400-17:00, Su 09:00-15:00. Within the Memorial Park, this documents those killed by the Soviets and is silent on post-independence repression. No English signage so you can't read the stories of the individuals shown. Adult 25,000 Soʻm.
Others
[edit]
- 22 Amir Temur Square is where the great warlord checks his horse and signals the line of his next advance, north up his eponymous avenue. A bust of Karl Marx occupied the spot in Soviet times. The square is a leafy quiet place amidst the swirling traffic, and the police don't allow hawkers or beggars. Metro Amir Temur Hiyoboni (red line) is 200 m east, with Yunus Rajabiy (green line) another 100 m north.
- Tashkent Chimes is the marketing name for the twin clocktowers south side of Amir Temur Square, looking like they should bookend an Ottoman railway station. The old (west) tower was built in 1947 and now houses a restaurant, the new (east) tower was added in 2009.
- Palace of International Forums is a great modern slab between the clocktowers and Hotel Uzbekistan, mostly used as a concert hall.
- 23 Mustakillik Maydoni means Independence Square. Laid out from 1991 (when Lenin was toppled from his plinth and "cancelled" as a place-name) it's more like a chequerboard of linked squares, parks and monuments, lined by government buildings. Lenin was replaced by a golden globe, and a statue symbolising motherhood was later added. Just north are monuments to the country's war losses.
- 24 Monument of Courage, Sharof Rashidov St (300 m from Independence Square, near the German Embassy). Built to acknowledge the courage of the people at the time of the Tashkent earthquake on 26 April 1966. The whole city was reduced to rubble and then modern Tashkent was built.
- 25 Tashkent TV Tower (Ташкентская телебашня), Amir Temur St, (Амир Темур шоҳ кўчаси) (between Metro station Habib Abdullayev and Metro station Bodomzor). Viewing levels and restaurants with views of the city. The TV Tower, built in 1981, is the highest accessible structure in Central Asia, only surpassed by Kazakhstan's Power Station Ekibastuz chimney . It is 375 m high. It is the 11th highest tower in the world and the 2nd highest structure in GIS and has a revolving restaurant 110 m above the ground. Bring your passport. Foreigners US$15.
- 26 Oqsaroy Presidential Palace, Afrosiyob. This cod-classical bling mansion was the residence of the country's first President, Islam Karimov (1938-2016). He was an engineer who worked his way up the communist hierarchy and then upon independence ran a regime every bit as brutal and oppressive. He was re-elected again and again by rigged ballots. The mansion is now government offices, no visits, but is flanked by a small museum to his glory open Tu-Su.
- 27 Yunusobod Aktepa (Юнусабадский Актеп), Otaboy ota Tursunov Str. (from Metro station Habib Abdullayev about 2½ km east). An archaeological site of 5-13th centuries. There are found some remains of an ancient settlement with the strength and extensive artisan quarters. The 'Fortress' was here more like a castle-manor. Maybe here was the summer residence of the rulers of Chacha. Excavated here a remains of a Zoroastrian altar. The complex was surrounded by a moat.
- 28 Magic Aquarium, Yoshlik. A 21-hectare public aquarium in the continental heart of Asia. While the aquarium has its distance to thousands of kilometers from every ocean, it includes 12 zones and 3000 marine habitats that are represented here.
Further out
[edit]- 29 Architectural Complex Zengi-Ata (Комплекс Занги-Ата), Zangiota, M-34 Hwy (in the Zengi-Ata settlement SW 5 km out of Tashkent City limit). Burial place of sheikh Aj-Hodzha, nicknamed Zengi-Ata, which means "black", who lived from the end of 12th to the first half of 13th century. Parts of it: Zengi-Ata Madrassa (Медресе Занги-Ата) and Zengi-Ata Mosque (Мечеть Занги-Ата)
Do
[edit]- 1 , Navoiy shoh ko'chasi (500 m west from Metro station Abdulla Qodirii or Metro station Yunus Rajabiy, north 300 m from Metro station Mustaqilliq Maidoni), ☏ +998 71 232-8394, fax: +998 71 239-1658, info@natlib.uz.
- 2 National Library of Uzbekistan, 51 Xorazm ko'chasi (SE ne block from Amir Timur Monument), ☏ +998 71 2391658.
Parks
[edit]
- 3 (Exit Milly Bog Station on the Chilonzor line of the Metro). This large park is popular on the weekends where many weddings are held. A fairground and man-made lake are also well frequented by locals.
- 4 Babur Recreation Park, Bobur ko'chasi (SW). A nice park with some boating lake.
- Boghi Eram Recreation Park. Fun fair for the young and not so young.
- 5 Tashkent Botanical Garden (Ботанический сад, Botanika bog’i, Ботаника боғи), Боғишамол кўчаси (From Metro station Bodomzor (Бадамзар) toward east). 66 hectares area. The herbarium is a storehouse of unique collections. The Paleobotanical collection include some valued pieces of Middle Jurassic Period Tashkutan from Hissar county, and from Lower-Middle Albian stage, in the southwest part of the Kyzyl Kum region's Kulzhuktau mountains.
- 6 Japanese Garden (behind the Intercontinental Hotel; Metro station Bodomzor 5 min walk away). Popular during summers. Many couples go there for wedding photos.
- 7 Mirzo Ulugbek Recreation Park, 21 Hamidulla Oripov ko'chasi (from Metro station Hamid Olimjon 10 min walk to south).
- 8 Tashkent Zoo (from Metro station Bodomzor (Бадамзар) toward east; south of the Botanical Garden).
- 9 Aqua Park (Amir Temur Rd, near TV tower; Metro station Bodomzor). The water park has several pools, one with a wave machine, water chutes, and high slides. Well worth a few hours in hot weather. Take your own towel and pool footwear (the paths can get very hot). There is a restaurant and bars inside. Adult, 7,000 som; child, 4,000 som for 3 hours.
- Anhor Lokomotiv is a funfair and amusement park at Shaykhontohur 28, 200 m north of Navruz Park. It's open daily 10:00-23:00.
- 10 Tashkent City Project Park (Near Paxtakor metro station). The park is the heart of the Tashkent City Project, an urban regeneration scheme and business centre. Surrounded by the new (late 2019) 5* Hilton Hotel and luxury apartments for the elite, this is the smartest and most modern part of the city. The park has fountains, lakes and some restaurants with prices in keeping with the area (expensive). A 10,000 som entry fee (5,000 for children) and heavy police presence keeps the poor people out.
Cemeteries
[edit]Sports
[edit]
- Football: Uzbekistan is part of the Asian Football Confederation, and the men's national soccer team play at Milliy Stadium. Tashkent has several clubs in Super League, the top tier, so you'll always find a match in town during the March-Nov season.
- 13 FC Bunyodkor, Bunyodkor 47 (Metro Novza). They play in Super League at Milliy Stadium (capacity 34,000), 5 km southwest of city centre.
- 14 FC Pakhtakor (Metro Paxtakor). They too play in Super League, and often win it. Pakhtakor Stadium (capacity 35,000, all-seater) is also used for junior internationals such as U21. It's very central, barely 500 m west of Independence Square.
- 15 JAR Sport Complex (3 km west of Independence Square). This multi-sports venue sprawls over 1 km x 0.5 km. Its main stadium has a capacity of 8500 but doesn't have a resident football team.
Live arts
[edit]- 16 , Atatürk 28 (Metro Mustaqilliq Maidoni), ☏ +998 71 233 9081. Box Office 10:00-19:00. Neoclassical 1940s structure, built by Japanese prisoners of war.
- Russian Drama Theatre, Atatürk 24 (block north of Opera House), ☏ +998 71 233 8165. No online ticket sales, you have to go to the Box Office.
- Friendship of the Nations Palace or Istiklol Palace is a concert hall on Bunyodkor (Metro Xalqlar Do'stligi), 200 m north of Abdulkasim Sheikh Madrasah. It was built in 1980 and the name acknowledges international assistance after the earthquake of 1966. The style is described as as Brutalist, but it looks to be wearing petticoats, and those nozzles around the sofits suggest a shampoo production line.
- Ilkhom Theatre (Театр Марка Вайля Ильхом), Pakhator 5 (next to Shodlik Palace Hotel), ☏ +998 71 241 2241. Progressive theatre, performances are in Russian.
- 17 Musical Comedy Theatre, Chapanata (Metro Mirzo Ulugbek), ☏ +998 71 273 8591. Most shows are for kids.
- 18 Uzbek National Academic Drama Theatre (O‘zbek milliy akademik drama teatri), Navoi 34 (Metro Gafur Gulom), ☏ +998 71 244 1751. Lively theatre.
- 19 State Circus (Sirk), Zarqaynar 1 (Metro Chorsu), ☏ +998 71 244 3435. Still putting on trad shows in a 1976 futuristic building.
- City Planetarium, Zarqaynar (200 m north of State Circus). M-Sa 09:00-17:00. This is sad and run down, as it's set in the former Abdulla Kadiri Recreation Park, which has closed for re-development.
- 20 Turkiston Concert Hall (Turkiston Sanʼat Saroyi), Navoi 2 (Metro Abdulla Kodiriy), ☏ +998 71 235 4440. Concert hall in a modern Soviet confection, reasonable facilities, events inexpensive by western standards.
- State Puppet Theatre (O'zbek Davlat Respublika Qo'g'irchoqlar Teatri) is on Afrosiyob (Metro Kosmonavtlar) next to the Presidential Palace, the Karimov mansion. It's unwise to muse aloud about this juxtaposition.
- Youth Theatre (O'zbekiston Yoshlar Teatri), Navoiy 55 (same building as Museum of Literature), ☏ +998 71 244 1087. Grand Soviet building, uncomfortable seats, but a lively company.
Buy
[edit]Art galleries
[edit]- 1 Bonum Factum (Галерея "Art and Fact”), 20 Sadik Azimov Street (near the Japan Embassy; from Metro station Amir Temur Xiyoboni SE 1 km), ☏ +998 71 232 03 60, vkartfact@gmail.com, fotouz2006@yandex.ru. M-F 10:00-18:00. Photo exhibitions and sales.
- Caravan Art Gallery, Abdullah Quahor 22 (near Istiqlol Palace next to Alisher Navoi Monument), ☏ +998 23 2556296, +998 23 1527555, caravan@bcccum.uz. High quality handicrafts.
- Human House, Usmon Nosir 30/9 (near the Grand Mir Hotel), ☏ +998 71-255-4411, humanhouse@mail.ru. M-Sa 10:00-19:00. Features handmade crafts and clothing of all sorts, ranging from full outfits to purses to beautiful hand-painted tea sets and ceramics at very reasonable prices. It is non-profit and is meant to help provide income to the crafts persons, who are often from remote poor villages.
- 2 Orient House, Amir Temur Str., 51 (Metro station Minor right there), ☏ +998 90 185 06 03, orienthouse@yandex.ru. A souvenir shop
- 3 Renessans Culture gallery (Арт-Галерея "Ренессанс”), Furkata str. (between Metro station Bunyodkor and Metro station Gafur Gulom), ☏ +998 71 2449263, +998 71 3930034, +998 71 3930028. Former Pioneer Palace.
Banks
[edit]
Important update: As of March 2018, it is illegal to exchange money outside of official currency exchange offices. Foreign credit cards are increasingly accepted in shops or restaurants including the (expensive, but western-standard) supermarket Korzinka. In principle, it is allowed that foreigners pay their hotels using foreign credit cards (but not in foreign currency), however, smaller hotels may not have the necessary device. For more information see the Uzbekistan#Buy section.
- Agrobank, Head Office, Street Mukimi, 43, ☏ +998 71 120 88 38, +998 71 2770822, +998 71 1506765 (Helpline), fax: +998 71 150-53-95, headoffice@agrobank.uz.
- Asaka Bank main branch is at Furqat 9, 100 m south of the Navoi flyover, open M-F 09:00-18:00. They have three others.
- 4 Mortgage Bank, Central Office (Ipoteka Bank), Independence Avenue (Prospekt Mustakillik, проспект Мустакиллик), 17 (Center; Metro station Amir Temur Xiyoboni and Metro station Yunus Rajabiy are right there), info@ipotekabank.uz. A Joint-Stock Commercial Bank.
- Microcredit bank, Head office, 14, Lutfiy street, ☏ +998 71 273-2811, +998 71 150-56-47 (Helpline), fax: +998 71 273-0590.
- 5 NBU Republic of Uzbekistan (National Bank of Foreign Economic Activities of Uzbekistan), Amir Temur street, 101 (Metro: Bodomzor), ☏ +998 71 233-6070, +998 71 234-4771, +998 71 235-9060, fax: +998 71235-90-20, info@central.nbu.com.
- Uzpromstroybank (Uzbek Industrial and Commercial Bank), Yunusabad district Shaxrisabzkaya str. (Юнусабадский район, ул. Шахрисабз), 3, info@uzpsb.uz. M-F 09:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00..
- 6 Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CBU, Ўзбекистон Республикаси Марказий банки), Uzbekistan avenue (Ўзбекистон шоҳ кўчаси), 6. (next to State Academic Grand Theatre named after Alisher Navoi), ☏ +998 71 2126010, +998 71 2525739, +998 71 2126299, fax: +998 71 2333509, info@cbu.uz. M-F 09.00-18.00.
Bazaars
[edit]Most local residents do their primary shopping in bazaars. Local produce, such as fruit, nuts, vegetables can be very good, especially when they are in season. In the late summer, local melons appear on the streets and in the bazaars and are tasty and very cheap.
- 7 Chorsu Bazaar (Eski Juva) (in the heart of Old Town, next to Chorsu Sq.; Metro station Chorsu is right there). The biggest and the most exciting oriental market in Tashkent. Eski Juva Bazaar is the biggest and oldest bazaar in Central Asia, operating on the same spot for over 2,000 years. The stalls of the bazaar stand under seven huge domes covered with colored glazed tiles. In the biggest domed building you will find all kinds of spices and cooking herbs: saffron, brown tree bark, red and black pepper, thyme and cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, as well as raisins, and dried apricots, almonds and pistachios, walnuts and peanuts. The bazaar is famous for peanuts boiled in sugar or honey, covered with sesame seeds. Under the small domes are the "workshops". Here craftsmen make and sell jewelry, painted cradles (beshik), gold embroidery, Uzbek chests with metal decorations, embroidered suzanes (thin tapestries), jiyak (lace for trimming the lower edges of women's trousers), quilted men's (chapan) and women's (yashmak) caftans, kurpacha quilts, pichok knives in leather or brass sheaths, and national musical instruments. Potters offer lyagan dishes and kosa bowls with blue and turquoise painted patterns. You will also find carpets from Khiva, Samarkand, Bukhara, Afghanistan and Turkey.
- 8 Central Market (Oloy Bozori, known to most locals as the Alayskee Bazaar), Amir Timur St (Metro station Abdulla Qodirii 2 min walk). Beautifully laid out displays of local produce, dried fruit, and nuts. Every Friday and Saturday there is a wholesale dried fruit bazaar. The least noisy and crowded bazaar in Tashkent. It is the only place where you can buy button and oyster mushrooms, Caspian sturgeon, and Far Eastern salmon.
- Farkhatsky Bazaar. Selling only melons, especially in Sep-Oct.
- 9 Hippodrome Bazaar, Chilanzar District (2 km SW of Metro station Olmazar, take a tram from there). Tu-Su. Best for (leather) clothing, shoes. Very crowded.
- Parkentsky Bazaar. Best for beer, biscuits, cigarettes, coffee, cookies, cooking oil, soft drinks, liquor in large quantities.
- Yangiobod Bazaar (Green bus 26 runs there from outside Toshkent metro for 1,200 som. Bus 30 also runs there from "Toshkent mum". Each every 20-30 minutes or so. Taxis will take you there for around 8,000 som from the centre). Tu-Su 07:00-19:00. Huge flea market with an interesting history. Anything and everything a chap can unload. Second-hand clothes, unlike most of the other markets in Tashkent. Many markets are tagged as selling "everything", but rarely will you see live chickens opposite a heap of wheelchairs and (likely stolen) front doors. Watch your valuables especially closely. Smaller in the rain but definitely still open. Good for all your Soviet memorabilia needs.
- 10 Yunusabad Food Market (Юнусабадский продуктовый рынок), Ahmad Donish ko'chasi (From Metro station Habib Abdullayev north 1 km).
- Mirabad Bazaar is 200 m west of Cathedral of the Assumption, open daily 07:00-20:00.
Broadway
[edit]Saligokh St, known locally as "Broadway", has some street artists, etc. The street is easy to find from the Amir Temur Monument, just head away from the Uzbekistan Hotel. The 'mirstore' just off of Saligokh St has a modern supermarket, coffee bar and hugely overpriced fashion stores. This area, known locally as "Demir," also has Mir Burger, which has burgers, pizza and local dishes at reasonable prices. There is also a Georgian restaurant ("Tbilisi") and a Chinese restaurant. There is a heavy police (militsiya) presence here and foreigners are not often, but occasionally asked for their documents. It is advisable to keep a photocopy of your passport and visa with you, but leave the originals in the hotel safe.
Modern designer fashion and shops selling luxury goods from famous international brands have appeared in Tashkent. Catering for the wealthy, these can be found in the Broadway area, on Amir Temur Street and Pushkin Street.
Department stores, malls
[edit]- 11 Central Department Store (Tashkent Department Store (Former TSUM)), 17, Uzbekistan Ave. (O'zbekiston shoh ko'chasi) (between Metro station Mustaqilliq Maidoni and Metro station Kosmonavtlar), ☏ +998 712 256 3001, +998 71 233 6288. A good place to find souvenirs.
- 12 Tashkent Shopping Center (Turkuaz Chorsu), Navoiy shoh ko'chasi (Metro station Chorsu).
- 13 Trade Center Tashkent Plaza, 107, Amir Temur Str (next to International Business Center), ☏ +998 71 2389408, tashkentplaza@ibc.uz.
- 14 Shopping center Poytakht (Торговый центр Пойтахт), Buyuk Turon Str. (Mustakillik Metro Station).
- 15 Universam Yunusabad, Amir Temur Str (Амир Темур шоҳ кўчаси) (opposite Yunusabad Food Market). Department Store
Handicrafts
[edit]- Abdulkasym Madrassah (Metro Xalqar Dostligi). Lacquer paintings with oriental motifs.
- [dead link] Rakhimov Ceramics Studio, Kukchka Dabaza 15, ☏ +998 14 90435. By appointment.
- Hamza Art Gallery, Caravan Cafe and Restaurant, 22, A. Kakhar Str., ☏ +998 712 2556296, caravan@bcc.uz.com.
- Souvenir Shops also can be find in some hotel as: Grand Mir, InterContinental, Dedeman Silk Road, Tashkent Palace, Uzbekistan Hotel
Supermarkets
[edit]Supermarkets are quite small and limited compared with other countries.
- Kontinent (near the Grand Mir Hotel at Usmon Nosir, Shota Rustavelli). Good supermarket with a wide range of stuff.
- Turkuaz Hypermart (Formerly GUM), Akhunbabaev Sq (W end of Navoi, across the street from Hotel Chorsu). 09:00-20:30. Good for Western clothing and travel accessories.
Eat
[edit]There are hundreds of small cafes in Tashkent (and other Uzbek cities and villages) offering these and other local dishes at inexpensive prices. A meal of salad, bread, tea, soup, and shashlik at around US$2-3 isn't difficult to find. Sanitation standards can leave a lot to be desired in many of these cafes. Especially on warm days, look to see if the meat is kept refrigerated before it is cooked. Before meals you will always be offered warm water poured over your hands from a jug. Before drinking tea, it is traditional to bless the cup with the first splash of tea from the pot. This serves ritual and hygienic purposes. Locals also believe in the sterilising properties of vodka.
In regular restaurants with (seemingly) western appearance, higher prices are applied, e.g. a simple meal can easily be US$10-15 and drinks $3 and more.
Budget
[edit]There are many small restaurants serving simple meals at good prices. Burgers and kebabs are common. Borsch (soup) is tasty, and perfect on a cold day.
- Bravissimo (Junction of Shahrisabz & Movarounnakhr St). Serves cakes and good local food. Russian language only.
- Bukhara Food (corner of Shahristan St, near Museum of Repression). Offer cheap, good quality food. Try the Following dishes: lavash (Armenian), shurpa (Uzbek), kazi kabob (Uzbek).
- Cafe Bukhara (near the railway station (Avliyoota St and little ring road intersection)). Cheap and tasty local food. Nice atmosphere and you can buy your drinks in a shop next door. 7,000-20,000 som for a meal.
- Besh Qozon, Guards Colonel Khodjaev 1 (100 m north of TV tower), ☏ +998 71 200 9444. Daily 09:00-23:00. Busy, somewhat chaotic place but it serves great plov. Far better value than the restaurant in the TV tower.
- Surxondaryo Zig'ir Oshi (On Lufti Street, just around the corner from Farkhad Bazaar). Typical Uzbek corner cafe, sells excellent plov cheaper than most places and, unusually, to late in the evening. 10,000 som for plov, 4,000 som for salad, 2,000 som for non and 1,000 som for tea.
Mid-range
[edit]- Ariston Park. One of a few good places to eat in Boghi Eram Recreation Park.
- Caravan, A Khalkat kochasi 22a. Breakfast US$10, lunch $15, dinner $20.
- Al Delfin. Excellent Arabic food. Great sheesha can be found here.
- Jumanji, 62/2 Yunus Khos Khodjib St and K. Jalilov St intersection, ☏ +998 71 2554200. 12:00-23:00. One of the best restaurants in the city. Big portions of high quality Chinese, central Asian, and European food. Lunch US$15, dinner $20.
- Khangan. Korean food.
- Pizzeria Bella Napoli, 63, U. Nasir St (next to Bon! coffee shop), ☏ +998 2539183, +998 2539184. 11:00-23:00. Small pizzeria, great atmosphere and reasonably priced. You might need to reserve a table on weekends as the place gets packed some evenings. Free delivery.
- Polyanka Cafe (Near Boghi Eram Recreation Park). Excellent food and cabaret entertainment (suitable for families).
- La Riva (next to Salvador Dali nightclub). Fast food plus huge variety of different international dishes from Russia, Korea, Italy, Tatarstan. Popular with students.
- 1 Sultan Fast food, Mustafo Kamol Otaturk ko'chasi.
- Tang Cheng Chinese Restaurant, 60A Amir Temur St, ☏ +998 71 1358916. Good Chinese restaurant.
- Shashleek, 49 Uzbekiston Ovozi St (To the right of the main gate entrance to Ecopark on Ovozi Street). Fresh and delicious (if premium priced) Shashlik speciality restaurant with beautiful views of the adjoining Ecopark. Popular with middle class local families and Russian tourists.
Splurge
[edit]Drink
[edit]As is common in other Central Asian countries, tea is drunk by most people, but without milk. Black coffee is also available everywhere. Some coffee shops and cafes offer good coffee, but the best of them is probably Amore Coffee at the MIR store just off of Broadway.
Alcoholic drinks are available, though no longer sold in supermarkets and on the street. Look for licensed liquor/alcohol stores. Outdoor bars are popular in good weather. Uzbek wine, vodka, and many different beers are available. Local beer, Sarbast, is popular and should be about half the price of imported beers. It is quite good and at 4.2% (red label), not too strong. Sarbast is also available with a blue label at 5.6%. The Russian beer "Baltika" is popular. Baltika 3 is good and similar to other international beers. Baltika 0 has no alcohol, Baltika 5 and 7 are also good, and Baltika 9 is very strong.
Nightclubs, as everywhere, offer expensive drinks and typically play a mix of Russian and Western music. Strip shows are common.
- Chelsea Arms (Kakhara St). English pub. It looks like it has been transplanted from the East End of London. Free Wi-Fi.
- Studio Cafe (S Azimova St). Modern cafe/bar with good food and drink.
- 1 Bars in the park on Broadway. The park in the middle of town adjoining the shopping street has two bars in pavilions. These are great places for a drink on a sunny day, with basic meals available.
- Pelican (aka "Pelikan Piva i Rybka"), 47 Sadik Azimov St. No-frills, budget spot for beer and snacks. Specializing in local craft beer and Russian-style cured fish. At least two dozen beers on tap on any given day.
Sleep
[edit]Tashkent is not too strong for budget and mid-range accommodation, but it is improving slowly. When you check out you will be given a tiny registration card that may be requested at the next hotel, so keep it safe.
Budget
[edit]- 1 Gulnara Guesthouse, Ozod 40 (Metro Chorsu), ☏ +998 71 240 6336. Pleasant small guesthouse by Chorsu Bazaar. B&B double $40.
- 2 Jahongir B&B, Chirokchi 4 (Metro Tinchlik), ☏ +998 90 966 3944. Welcoming small guesthouse in the suburbs. B&B double US$45.
- 3 Orzu Hotel, Kichik Mirobod 14 (Metro Ming Orik), ☏ +998 78 120 8824. Friendly small hotel with 34 rooms. B&B double US$70.
Mid-range
[edit]
- 4 Asia Tashkent Hotel, Usman Nasir 111, ☏ +998 71 250 9680. Maintenance needed, but overall comfy enough. With pool and sauna. Some noise from street and nightclub. B&B double US$70.
- 5 Oasis Asaka Hotel, Fargon Yuli 23, ☏ +998 71 291 3000. Hotel in a quiet area, adequate for what you pay. B&B double US$75.
- 6 Retro Palace, Vakhidov 65, ☏ +998 71 256 3236. Adequate place in a quiet area. B&B double US$55.
- 7 Shodlik Palace Hotel, Pakhtakor 5 (Metro Paxtakor / Alisher Navoiy), ☏ +998 78 120 9977. Trad Soviet-era hotel showing its age. B&B double US$60.
- 8 Uzbekistan Hotel, Mirzamakhmud Musakhanov 45 (Metro Amir Temur Xiyoboni or Yunus Rajabiy), ☏ +998 78 113 1111. Great Soviet slab, a piece of city history, slowly getting a makeover. Very central, mostly good reviews, though the aircon struggles on hot days. Their website is only in Uzbek and Russian, and they don't respond to enquiries in English. B&B double US$65.
Splurge
[edit]- Hotel City Palace, Amir Temur 15 (opposite Wyndham, Metro Yunus Rajabiy), ☏ +998 71 238 3000. Mostly good reviews, some facilities tired. B&B double $110.
- 9 Wyndham Hotel, Amir Temur 7 (corner of Navoi, Metro Abdulla Qodirii), ☏ +998 78 120 3700. Mixed reviews for comfort and service. B&B double US$160.
- 10 Grand Mir Hotel (Гран Мир), Mirabad 2 (Metro Ming Orik), ☏ +998 78 140 2000. Business hotel, mixed reviews for comfort and cleanliness. B&B double US$130.
- 11 Le Grande Plaza Hotel, Uzbekiston Ovozi 2 (Metro Amir Temur Xiyoboni or Yunus Rajabiy), ☏ +998 78 120 6600. Comfy and central but poor service and cuisine. B&B double US$150.
- 12 Hotel Ichan Qala, Tafakkur 24, ☏ +998 71 231 9898. Pleasant hotel around a courtyard and pool. B&B double USD$100.
- 13 International Hotel Tashkent, Amir Temur 107A (Metro Bodomzor), ☏ +998 78 120 7000. Modern hotel near Expo, mostly good scores for comfort and service, some gripes with over-zealous security. B&B double US$120.
- 14 Ramada Tashkent, Abdulla Qodiriy 1 (1 km from Metro station Gafur Gulom or Abdulla Qodirii), ☏ +998 71 140 6000. Friendly hotel with Indian restaurant, most rooms spacious but others poky. B&B double US$120.
- 15 Radisson Blu Hotel, Amir Temur 88 (Metro Bodomzor), ☏ +998 78 120 4900, reservation.tashkent@radissonblu.com. Efficient central chain hotel. B&B double $120.
- 16 Lotte City Tashkent Palace Hotel, Buyuk Turon 56 (by Central Department Store), ☏ +998 78 120 5800. Korean-owned, clean, comfy and central, good food. B&B double US$160.
Connect
[edit]As of Sep 2024, Tashkent and its approach highways have 4G from all Uzbek carriers, and city centre has 5G from Ucell and Uzmobile.
Stay safe
[edit]Tashkent is generally a very safe place to visit. However, visitors should refrain from political activities or doing anything that could be regarded as undermining the state. As anywhere, remember to watch your personal belongings. There have been incidents of robbery, including some violent assaults but they are very rare. Visitors should use the same caution they would use in any large city, especially at night. It is not advisable for foreigners to walk around alone at night, especially in areas where few people are about and/or lighting is poor. Police sometimes levy small on-the-spot fines for minor offences such as appearing to be slightly intoxicated.
However, a potential scam was observed in July 2024: The self-service ticket machine at the train station does not accept foreign cards. When yours is declined, a polite young man with excellent English will offer to buy your tickets with his card if you give him the cash. He will (presumably) take your money, buy the tickets, then cancel them later, leaving you with useless paper and out of pocket.
The emergency number is ☏ 103 for medical emergencies and ☏ 101 for fires, while the police emergency number is ☏ 102.
Major clinics are listed below:
- Stomaservice (Dental clinic), Buyuk Ipak Juli, ☏ +998 26 68899, +998 11 05588.
- Klinik/Hospital 1, Machlor Oim St 40, ☏ +998 26 48105, +998 26 40511, +998 26 48105.
- Klinik/Hospital 2, Aschgabadskaya St 3, ☏ +998 26 74265.
- Tashkent International Medical Clinic (TIMC), Sarikul St 38, ☏ +998 29 10142, +998 29 10726, 1858481 (domestic - emergencies), 1084457 (domestic). Medical and dental care.
- VIP Poliklinik, Sadik Asimov St 67, ☏ +998 13 62625, +998 13 94260.
Cope
[edit]Embassies and consulates
[edit]
Afghanistan, 6, Murtazaev St, ☏ +998 13 48432, +998 13 48458, fax: +998 13 42634, afgemuz@online.ru.
Australia, ☏ +7 495 956 6070. Australian Embassy in Moscow is accredited to Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijan, 25, Shark Tongi St (ул. Шарк Тонги) (Oliy Madjlis Bldg), ☏ +998 17 36167, +998 17 33717, +998 13 48458, fax: +998 71 273 2658, tashkent@mission.mfa.gov.az.
Bangladesh, Vahidov St., 33, ☏ +998 71 1206711, +998 71 2540421, fax: +998 71 1206711, mission.tashkent@mofa.gov.bd.
1 Belarus, 53, Vokhidov St/ Gulyamov St, ☏ +998 12 07252, +998 12 05233, +998 15 27258, fax: +998 12 07253, Uzbekistan@belembassy.org.
Belgium, 10, Karimov St /Navoi avenue, 18б, ☏ +998 15 25942, fax: +998 71 241-40-39. Only Honorary Consulate
Bulgaria, 52, Rakatboshi St, ☏ +998 56 4888, fax: +998 15 23952, posolbg@bbc.com.uz.
Canada, 56, Usman Nosir St, Apt 39-40, ☏ +998 71 2539205, fax: +998 71 253-92-05, hc.canada.uz@gmail.com. A small honorary consulate. Most affairs handled through the Canadian Embassy in Moscow. For emergency after-hour service, call the Moscow Embassy +7 495 925-6000.
2 China, No.79, Academician Gulomov Street (next to Belarusan Embassy), ☏ +998 93 5018573, fax: +998 93 2334735, chinaemb_uz@outlook.com. For visa applications visit CVASC (Email).
Czech Republic, 9, Hidirali Ergashev St, ☏ +998 12 07733, fax: +998 71 1206075.
Egypt, 53, Chilanzar St, ☏ +998 12 05008, +998 12 05009, fax: +998 12 06452.
3 France, 25 Qo’qon Yuli Rd (next to Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan), ☏ +998 71 2335382. 09:00-12:00, 15:00-17:00.
Georgia, 16, Tarobiy St, ☏ +998 16 26243, +998 16 29139, fax: +998 54 6535, gruzemb@geo-embassy.co.uz.
4 Germany, 15, Sharaf Rashidov Ko'chasi (Courage Monument, near to River Anhor, 1 km northwest of Metro station Abdulla Qodirii), ☏ +998 12 08440, +998 12 08472, +998 18 15406 ( emergencies German), +998 18 15407 (Russian and Uzbek), fax: +998 12 08450, +998 12 08485, +998 12 08480 (visas). M-Th 08:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00; F 08:00-11:00.
5 India, 15/16, Kara-Bulak Street (Korabulok Ko'chasi) (north of Metro station Pushkin), ☏ +998 12 04996, +998 12 04997, fax: +998 13 61976, amb.tashkent@mea.gov.in.- 6 Indonesean Embassy, 73 Yahyo Gulyamov ko'chasi (Center). e-Visa http://evisa.kbri-tashkent.go.id/
Iran, 20, Parkentskaya St, ☏ +998 71 686968, fax: +998 71 12 06761, +998 71 687818.
7 Israel, 3, Abdulla Kahar St (улица А.Каххара) (East to Babur Park), ☏ +998 12 05808, +998 12 05807, fax: +998 71 407555. M-F 09:00-13:00.
Italy, 40, Yusuf Hos Hojib St, ☏ +998 15 21119, +998 15 21120, fax: +998 71 1206606, segreteria.tashkent@esteri.it.
8 Japan, 1/28, Sadyk Azimov St (one block east to Chinese Embassy), ☏ +998 12 08060, +998 12 08061, fax: +998 12 08077, jpembuz@embjapan.intal.uz.
9 Kazakhstan, 23, Chehov St (ул. ЧЕХОВА) (southeast of Metro station Oybek), ☏ +998 15 21654, +998 13 60986. M-F 09:00-12:00. US$30.
Kyrgyzstan, 30, Samatov St, ☏ +998 13 74794.
Netherlands, 77, Usmon Nasirov St, ☏ +998 12 06141, fax: +998 12 06367.
New Zealand, ☏ +7 495 956 3579. NZ Embassy in Moscow handles affairs with Uzbekistan.
Poland, 66 Firdavsiy St, ☏ +998 71 1208650.
Romania, Str. Zanjirbog 44A, ☏ +998 71 2526355, taskent@mae.ro.
10 Russian Federation, 83, Nukus St (Mirabad Market; Metro station Toshkent 1 km northwest), ☏ +998 15 26280, +998 12 03519, fax: +998 15 22143, +998 12 03504, rusemb@albatros.uz.
South Africa, 30A, Asaka St, ☏ +998 13 70170, +998 13 71824, fax: +998 13 72546.
11 South Korea (from Metro station Ming Orik to north 3 min walk).
Spain Consulate, 25, Kichik Besh-Yogoch St, ☏ +998 15 25027.
Switzerland, Blind alley 1, 4, Nosir St, ☏ +998 12 06738, +998 12 06739, fax: +998 12 06259.
12 Tajikistan, 61, Abdulla Kahor St (from Babur Recreation Park 1 km south), ☏ +998 54 9966, fax: +998 54 8969.
13 Turkey, 87, Gulyamov St (Republican Office of Public Prosecutor) (next to Chinese Embassy; Centre), ☏ +998 13 38037, +998 13 72104, +998 13 32107, fax: +998 12 06536, +998 13 31358.
Turkmenistan, 16, Tarobiy St, ☏ +998 12 05278, +998 12 05279, fax: +998 12 05281. The consulate is on the back. You should arrive really early. From 06:00 people start to gather. Write your name on the list by the guards place and then wait. At around 10:00 somebody will come, shout the names on the 1st list to check if the people are still present and copy them to a 2nd list, which is the official one and after that according with that list you can enter the consulate in turn. For transit visa it takes around 20 days with no express service, no need to leave the passport, payment on pick-up, US$55 for 3-day transit visa. [Aug 2012] {GPS N 41.18.06.9, E 069.16.12.9}
14 Ukraine, 68, Yahyo Gulyamov St (next to Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan), ☏ +998 13 6012, +998 13 35523, fax: +998 13 31089.
15 United Kingdom, 67, Gulyamov Street (Yahyo Gulyamov ko'chasi) (Center: from Metro station Amir Temur Xiyoboni walk to east on O'zbekiston Ovozi ko'chasi and at second crossing turn right), ☏ +998 71 1207852, ukin.uzbekistan@fco.gov.uk. M-F 09:00-17:00.
16 United States, 3 Moyqorghon St, 5th Block, Yunusobod District (far north: first to Metro station Habib Abdullayev further 2 km north), ☏ +998 71 120 5450, fax: +998 71 1206335, TashkentInfo@state.gov. M-F 09:00-18:00. For after-hours emergencies, American citizens should call +998 71 120 5450. Embassy includes an Information Resource Centre with a small library, English-language magazines, free Internet access and access to several large electronic databases of information.
Go next
[edit]- Samarkand - Part of the UNESCO World Heritage list
- Shymkent -Five coaches a day run between Tashkent and Shymkent, leaving from Tashkent Avtovokzal (the central one) at (ostensibly, but don't count on the times) 07:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. Tickets are about 40,000 som but this can be brought down by bargaining. The route began in late 2018. The process is smoother and more official than the shared taxis, with faster border crossings and tickets to be bought from a "kassa" in the station. Comfortable ride, takes about 3-4 hours.