The history of Tashkent has about 25 centuries. The first ancient trading settlement was founded in the picturesque valley of the Chirchik River. In ancient sources it is mentioned as Yuni, Shashtepa, Chach, Binkat, Binkent. And only from the end of the 10th century the city was mentioned as Tashkent.

In ancient times, one of the branches of the Great Silk Road passed through Tashkent. At all times, various crafts and trade were widely developed here. During the history of its existence, the city was many times subjected to devastating raids by powerful neighbors and was part of various invader states.

Since the 17th century, trade and economic ties with Russia have been developing. And in 1865, Tashkent became part of the Russian Empire, becoming the political and administrative center of Turkestan. Since 1930 Tashkent has been the capital of the Uzbek SSR. And since 1991 Tashkent has become the capital of the independent state of Uzbekistan. The population of Tashkent is over 2.5 million people.

How to get there?

  • By plane

    Tashkent International Airport. Air communication is established with many countries of the world. Flights are operated both by UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS and by airlines of other states. From Russia, you can fly to Tashkent from the cities: Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Krasnoyarsk, Mineralnye Vody, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Samara, St. Petersburg.
  • By train

    Tashkent International Railway Station. Rail communication has many directions and is carried out with all neighboring countries. You can go to Tashkent by train from Russian cities: Moscow, Saratov, Ufa, Chelyabinsk.
  • Urban transport

    Tashkent has a very well developed network of urban transport: metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses, fixed-route taxis. Transportation of passengers is carried out mainly by modern comfortable vehicles.

It is very convenient to travel by metro, the branches of which connect various districts with the city center. The stations are decorated with natural marble and granite by the best artists of Uzbekistan, which allows us to recognize the Tashkent metro as one of the most beautiful in the world.

What to do?

  • Be sure to visit the oriental bazaar. In the very center of Tashkent, this area is called the Old City, not far from Chorsu Square, there is the largest bazaar in Central Asia — Eski Juva. In addition, this bazaar is also the most ancient, it has existed for more than two thousand years.
  • Of course, the ancient architecture has not been preserved here; after numerous reconstructions, the bazaar acquired a rather modern look. But the unique flavor of the oriental bazaar with its riot of aromas, colors and unimaginable abundance can only be known here.
  • Alai Bazaar is also a historical place, its age is about eight centuries. There are more than a dozen large oriental bazaars in Tashkent.

What to buy?

Oriental clothes and handmade shoes, hats (turbans, skullcaps, hats). Scarves, bedspreads, bedding and tablecloths with national ornaments, natural silk, colorful khan-atlas, handicrafts. Oriental spices, spices, dried fruits, souvenir tandoor cakes.

Prices

  • Prices for everything are about two times lower than in Moscow. Directions. City public transport — 25-50 cents per person. Taxi from one end of the city to the other — $ 2.5-3.5 (city diameter — 25 km), from the airport they will take 2-4 times more expensive. It is better to move 200 meters from the airport — there is a bus ring to all parts of the city.

Private car with a driver for the whole day (+30 liters of gasoline) — $ 15-30. Three-course lunch not in a restaurant — $ 5-10 per person. Fruits and vegetables (especially during the May-November season) are very cheap — from 50 cents to $ 3.5 per kilogram. You can bargain in all private shops and shops. And in the bazaar it is necessary to bargain, moreover, noisily, persistently and with pleasure. The price can be reduced by 20-30%.

Tips

In most establishments, tips are included in the bill of 10-15%. If this is not done, you can not skimp, subject to good service. But it should be remembered that foreigners are usually charged slightly more than local residents.

What and where is

  • The local cuisine is extremely tasty and varied. You can eat everything and everywhere. Any restaurant will impress with an abundance of various dishes and excellent service, but the prices here are much higher.
  • But visiting Tashkent, you need to eat plenty of national cuisine. This is best done in small private cafes and eateries that can be found at every turn. Here the prices are very low, which does not affect the quality of food at all.

Even if the establishment does not seem very attractive at first glance, you can be absolutely sure that the food there is tasty, satisfying and quite cheap.

  • There are countless excellent national dishes, here are just a few of the most famous: pilaf, shurpa, barbecue, lagman, manti, samsa, domlama, chuchvara. And, of course, you cannot find such delicious fruits as here in Russia.

What and where to drink

  • The most popular drink is tea (black long leaf and green). Everyone here drinks it, always and everywhere. There is even a traditional national institution — a teahouse, where, in addition to freshly brewed high-quality tea, Uzbek dishes, fresh pastries and ripe fruits will be served.

Everywhere you can buy any well-known non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. But, it should be remembered that drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited.

How and where to sleep

The choice is quite extensive. Accommodation in a decent hotel — from $ 35 per day per person. In an inexpensive hotel, but quite tolerable — $ 20-25 for a double room. It is very convenient to stay with private individuals, for a room for 3-4 people — $ 15 — 20 per day.

Safety

From the point of view of crime and unsanitary conditions, Tashkent is absolutely safe. Tap water is clean and tasty. If you still don’t trust, bottled mineral and drinking water is sold in any hotel, restaurant, shop and stall. All vegetables and fruits must be thoroughly washed before eating in running or boiled water.

Health

Medical care in Tashkent is paid. If you need medical assistance, you must contact the hotel administrator. Before leaving for Tashkent, it is necessary to issue a medical insurance policy in your country that is valid on the territory of Uzbekistan.

Peculiarities

  • It is better to import money in dollars, I exchange them here at every bank. It is very difficult to find a bank that accepts payment cards. But, basically, only the bazaar can upset a tourist.
  • Here you have to be more careful and attentive. Very often, the buyer is shown one product, and when buying, a clever seller slips a completely different one, of much worse quality.

It is very important, when visiting Muslim religious shrines, to observe restraint in clothing (exclude shorts, T-shirts, defiantly open outfits), so as not to offend the feelings of local believers. You must take off your shoes before entering the temple.