Through the Eyes of Visitors
Sunny and friendly Uzbekistan is a country that tends to leave vivid impressions in the hearts of visitors. In this article we hear from Ace Valino, a barista coach at the Costa Cafe chain in Dubai, who visited Uzbekistan several times; and Eugenia Apatova, the founder of the TIPS Tashkent blog, who moved from the US to Uzbekistan permanently.
Ace Valino
What were your expectations about Uzbekistan before your arrival?
To be honest, I hadn't heard much about Uzbekistan as a travel destination. I thought I would have nothing to do here besides work and already imagined a boring trip, after which I would want to return home. How wrong I was!
What surprised you after coming here? Tell us about your most vivid impression during your stay in Uzbekistan.
Having lived in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE for almost 16 years, I was amazed by the abundance of greenery in Tashkent, the reasonable prices of natural fresh products, and most importantly, the hospitality of Uzbeks. Many people tried to help me, whether in a taxi or when ordering meals in restaurants. During my second visit, I delved into the rich history and culture of the country, but unfortunately I did not have time to visit all the historical sites. When I came for the third time, I brought my friends with me and focused on sightseeing. I wanted to introduce them to the bright colours, delicious cuisine and magical cities of the Great Silk Road.
What are your top three non-tourist locations in Tashkent that every guest should visit?
Every visitor should go to the New Uzbekistan National Park outside the city. A few meters before the entrance to the park, the Independence Stella catches the eye – a majestic monument in the shape of the mythical Humo bird, a symbol of peace, prosperity and freedom. The park has artificial lakes, playgrounds, cafes and restaurants, and gazebos. If you don’t feel like walking, you can travel along the paths of the park by electric car, bicycle or electric scooter.
Tourists interested in history will like the Kukeldash madrasah, which is known in Tashkent as an educational institution combining the functions of a comprehensive school and a theological seminary. The madrasah has features characteristic of such buildings: a spacious courtyard, cells, minarets on the sides and patterned screens on the windows.
Also, if you want to feel like a local, you should visit a real Uzbek teahouse, which will introduce you to the local culture, customs and national cuisine.
What are your three favourite locations for national cuisine in Uzbekistan?
Every tourist should try Uzbek pilaf at the Central Asian Plov Centre (now rebranded as Beshqozon). The pilaf reminded me a bit of Filipino food, where I come from.
The mountains of Uzbekistan were awesome. I was impressed by the landscape I saw and the freshness of the air. There are nice little restaurants and cafes up there known as ‘bochkas’, where I ate a delicious barbecue.
Finally, I recommend that everyone try freshly squeezed juice from one of the booths that are often found near traditional restaurants in Tashkent. First, you choose from which fruit you want, and then before your eyes it’s put in the juicer and voilà – fresh, healthy, invigorating juice!
What are your three favourite experiences of Uzbekistan’s culture?
I especially felt the local flavour when I communicated with Uzbeks. Their manners, behaviour and hospitality immediately betray the real culture of Uzbekistan. Hanging out at Amir Temur Square also captures the atmosphere of the whole of Tashkent, its brightness and vitality. And of course, the mountains around Chimgan – I was impressed by how many outdoor activities there are, ranging from skiing to horseback riding to hiking.
Eugenia Apatova
What were your expectations about Uzbekistan before your arrival?
My first visit to Tashkent was short – just two days in May 2022. But I really liked it here. It was so unexpected for me that I even decided to change my ticket to the UAE and stayed for another day. I thought I would find an underdeveloped country with Soviet-style restaurants, an old-fashioned banking system, and so on, but the reality was completely different.
What surprised you after coming here? Tell us about your most vivid impression during your stay in Uzbekistan.
First of all, I was surprised by the automation of processes that I am used to in my daily life: access points for food delivery, banks, taxi ordering options, affordable and high-speed Wi-Fi, and so on. The second thing that surprised me was the cost of a taxi – it's the cheapest taxi I've ever taken!
What are your top three non-tourist locations in Tashkent that every guest should visit?
The embankment of the Anhor Canal behind Minor Mosque. You can ride gondolas, take a walk, and also have a delicious meal of samsa and kebabs.
The Ferris wheel in Anhor Lokomotiv Park. It’s the largest in Central Asia and offers a beautiful view of the city, which is breath-taking, especially at night.
Tashkent is a garden city. Its parks, such as Eco Park, attract residents and tourists with coolness, silence and greenery. Eco Park is a great place to see how the locals spend their time after work and on weekends.
What are your favourite locations for national cuisine in Uzbekistan?
Of course, the first thing I will say is pilaf. I fell in love with two places where delicious pilaf is served – the Central Asian Plov Centre (Beshqozon) and Kamolon Osh. I'm also crazy about Uzbek bread as locals call it “lepeshka”, which just melt in your mouth, especially if you eat them hot.
What are your three favourite experiences of Uzbekistan’s culture?
To come to Tashkent and not visit Chorsu bazaar means not to experience Tashkent at all. Here you can immediately feel and taste the atmosphere of the Orient, and taste it in the truest sense of the word, starting with Uzbek dried fruits.
For those who have a lot of work and little free time, there is an opportunity to visit all of Uzbekistan’s regions in less than an hour. I'm talking about the Nowruz Park, where small-scale copies of Uzbekistan’s most famous monuments have been built, so you can see them all in one afternoon!
Tashkent City is a great place with an amphitheatre overlooking the lake, a diode wheat field, a wax museum, and there are also cool photo zones, a circular bike path, and of course restaurants and food courts.
