Historic Uzbekistan on ancient silk road
UZBERKISTAN located on the Great Silk Road, played a vital role on the ancient trading route for 27 centuries, bringing prosperity to the Central Asian nation. Its impact can still be felt in the land-locked country today which has preserved its rich history and cultural heritage as it embraces modernity.
It is an interesting country to explore its archeological, religious, architectural and historical sites as well as observe its culture, way of life and customs. The landmarks are so beautiful that even Genghis Khan who conquered the area, did not destroy them.
This homeland of silk fabric and region for skilled craftsmen is also famous for its ethnographic, cultural, musical, artistic and theatrical events.
The former capital, Samarkand, was one of the most important cities along the ancient trade route, linking China with the West. It was a major centre of trade, culture and historical Islamic scholarly study.
One of the major monuments at Samarkand is the Registan Mosque which is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools).
The Registan is a public square where people come to take Instagram photos, shoot wedding photos and admire its distinctive Islamic architecture. In the old buildings there are shops and bazaars selling textiles, ceramics and metalwork made by skilled artisans.
At night people gather to watch a light show which turns it into a colourful place and a sight to behold. Concerts and celebrations are also held on the Registan Square. A 3D video showing the history of the region is only shown on Uberkistan’s independence day (1st September) and other special occasions.
Samarkand also has one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world. Astronomy in Uzbekistan started from the Ulugh Beg Observatory which was constructed by the Timurid Empire in 1428-1429 on a hill. It made a breakthrough in Islamic medieval astronomy and was the last of its kind.
The building was destroyed in 1449 and rediscovered in 1908.
Below the observatory is the statue of the great astronomer, scientist, mathematician, and statesman Mirzo Ulugbek.
Bukhara
Another important city on the Silk Road was Bukhara. It was a centre of Islamic learning and culture, and a major trading centre for textiles and ceramics.
Located in the center of the historic part of the city is Poi-Kalon ensemble, one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara.
The Poi Kalon ensemble consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri-Arab Madrassah, Kaylan Mosque and Minaret Kalyan which form the spiritual center of the city.
The two big blue domes tower the Miri-Arab madrasah above the surrounding buildings in the center of Bukhara.
The Kaylan mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. The portal of the main hall of the mosque is richly decorated with mosaic ornaments. Also, a huge dome covered with blue glaze on a high decorative drum decorates the main entrance of the mosque.
It is the main cathedral mosque of the city and accommodates more than 10,000 prayers at the same time.
Kalyan Minaret which means a Big Tower, is the tallest minaret in Central Asia. It is also called the Tower of Death because in the Middle Ages criminals were thrown off the top of the minaret.
The Poi-Kalon ensemble is a must-see place in Bukhara. Visitors are highly recommended to visit the mosque, madrassah and climb to the top of the Minaret for a breathtaking view of the city.
Located near Poi-Kalon is one of the city’s most iconic structures - the Ark of Bukhara (Ark Citadel) which houses centuries of Bukharan history.
This spectacular fortress is the oldest structure in Bukhara, dating all the way back to the fifth century. It was used as residences for the Bukharan emirs, officials, poets and scholars. It was also a city within a city with royal palaces, government offices, stables and libraries.
The remaining living quarters are now used as museums displaying the history of the Ark. Also located within the Ark are exhibits of nearby archaeological sites of former Silk Road trading centres, the original Coronation Court, and the remains of the royal apartments.
Trading domes
Bukhara is also well-known for its trading domes which were bustling marketplaces for traders, goldsmiths and jewelers in the heyday of the Silk Road.
One of the largest currency exchanges of Central Asia was located there where merchants from India, China and other countries changed their money.
Today, only four trading domes have survived. They are Toki-Zargaron, Telpak Furushon, Tim Abdullakhan and Toki-Sarrofon which sell knives, jewelries, music instruments, carpets, kerchiefs, traditional jewelry, gold embroidery, miniature paintings and other souvenirs made by the local craftsmen.
Some of the original shops have been preserved to keep the vitality of these historic marketplaces. At one of the domes there is a medieval blacksmith shop making knives and other tools.
Carpets and silk
Bukhara was a trading spot for fleeces, silk, cotton, leather, carpets and clothing along the Silk Road. These items are still being traded in the city today.
Bukhara carpets are delicately hand-woven with wool by women at factories. Located within the PoiKalon ensemble is a famous silk and wool carpets factory run by a fifthgeneration family.
Observe the traditional way of making the carpets by women who weave them masterly.
The carpets take months to years to complete and they are sold around the world from as little US$100 to US$25,000 a piece, depending on size and material. There is even a magic flying carpet but definitely not the one from Aladdin.
Bukhara carpets are linked to tribal tradition. Their colours, symbols, elegant and sophisticated style are attractive and will warm the living room or lounge.
Art and theatre
A visit to Uberkistan is not complete without watching a theatrical performance “Along the Silk Road” at the El Merosi Theatre of Historical Costume, which is the only theatre of historical costume in Central Asia founded in 2005 in Samarkand.
Dancers in historical costumes perform 12 theatrical fragments, taking the audience down the history of the country by demonstrating the costumes of different historical periods in Uzbekistan.
They present the characters of ancient Scythians (saks and massaguets), Zoroastrians (fire worshippers), the Achaemenid era (Persian dynasty), Chinese ambassadors to the court of Varhuman (the King of Sogda), the Timurid era and various regions of the country.
The theatre has a wide range of colourful garments from the Timurid period, as well as traditional clothes from all of the present-day regions of Uzbekistan. Currently, it has a collection of around 200 unique sets of clothes.
There is another theatre at Samarkand the eternal city built by craftsmen, artists, artisans and skillful woodworkers using ancient skills to create modern wonders.
This brand-new tourist centre also has several modern hotels, a huge congress centre and restaurants, hoping to become one of the hospitability stars of Central Asia.
Paper production
The age-old tradition of paper production, using the ancestral technology of Samarkand, skillfully crafted by hand is still being practised in this modern day.
Visitors to the Konigil Meros Paper Factory in the village of Konigil can witness the entire paper production process by using mulberry bark. They can also make their own paper to take home for remembrance.
Inspired by UNESCO’s initiatives to promote craftsmanship and tourism, the Mukhtarov brothers set up the factory in 1996 to restore the lost 200year-old natural paper production technique. The process of making the paper begins from cleaning the bark of the mulberry tree, before it is boiled in a large vat. The bark is then pounded into large stacks until it turns into a uniform, dough-like substance. This dough is transferred into a tub filled with water, stirred, and then filtered through a specific sieve. The mass is then compressed onto flaxen sheets, removed, and dried vertically for a day.
The paper has a longer lifespan than ordinary white paper. It can last up to 300-400 years compared to 40-50 years for high-quality white paper.
The Konigil Meros Paper Factory also uses this enduring material to produce postcards, notebooks, masks, and even dresses, doll and handbags. It is also used for drawing miniatures.
Little Switzerland
Uzbekistan is also known as a little Switzerland because of its lush surroundings and pure beautiful nature. The mountainous areas outside the capital Tashkent are covered with snow, dense coniferous forests and beautiful flowers.
You can do sporting activities like snow biking, ice skating, ski/ snowboarding, tubing and junior quad biking at Amirsoy Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in Uzbekistan and the most modern ski resort in Central Asia. It is located at a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Western Tian Shan and has been described like St Moritz.
The place is always crowded all yearround particularly in winter. Visitors are not only from Uberkistan but also neighbouring countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and as far as Russia, Europe and Asia.
The 900-hectare resort also has a multifunctional hall, complete with a media center and picnic area, for corporate events, trainings, team building activities, concerts and banquets.
Gondola cable car takes you to the top of resort at an altitude of 2,290 meters where you will enjoy panoramic views of the mountain slopes from every angle. There is also a cafe there.
If you want to spend the night, the resort has alpine-style villas and chalets. There are two restaurants offering national and European cuisine, as well as a small bar and a lounge area.
Economy
Agriculture plays a crucial role in the Uzbek economy, employing over a quarter of the workforce. Uzbekistan is the eighth largest producer and the 11th largest exporter of cotton in the world. It is the country’s main cash crop, and is nicknamed “white gold” in Uberkistan.
Since the election of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has seen rapid economic and social reform, aimed at boosting growth and transforming Uzbekistan into a true, modern market economy.
China is the largest foreign investor in Uzbekistan’s economy, followed by Russia, Turkey, Germany and South Korea. Chinese investment has increased five fold increase in recent years.
People
Uzbeks speak Uzbek. Russian and English are also widely spoken and understood. The people look very Arabian and Turkish. As the area was ruled by Mongols, some have Asian looking features and claim to be possible descendants of Genghis Khan. Due to interactions with the Russians and other Slavic peoples, they also have Slavic-looking faces.
Festive Celebrations
Uzbekistan has the best festivals in Central Asia where you can experience the rich culture and traditions passed down from generation to generation. There are bazaars and fairs which sell souvenirs and artworks, taste the traditional dishes and enjoy live dancing, singing and acrobatic performances.
International cultural event Boysun Bahori and international music festival Sharq Taronalari are interesting to attend.
Christmas is also a grand celebration in Uberkistan even though Islam is the predominant religion, and most Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims. Most Christians are Orthodox and they celebrate Christmas on January 7th.
They celebrate it with the New Year by decorating Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, singing and listening to traditional music and having family dinner.
Most Uzbeks still live the traditional way in large families consisting of several generations and showing deep respect for elders. Most Ubeks still have to get parental consent before marrying the man or woman of their choice. Arranged marriages are still being practised.
Food
Uzbek cuisine is deeply influenced by Central Asia, the Middle East and Russia. Its unique and tantalizing food is made from spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats and flavorful rice.
Their national and family dish is Plov, a big rice pilaf cooked with meat, onions, carrots, garlic, dried fruit and oil in a “kazan”, or large, cauldron-like pot. It is often served at weddings, festivals, or other special occasions with pickled vegetables, sour cream or yogurt.
Another popular traditional dish is Manti, a dumpling filled with a mixture of ground lamb or beef, onions, and various seasonings. This steamed or boiled dish is eaten on special occasions or during family gatherings.
Try out a hand-pulled noodle dish called Lagman which is cooked in a savory broth made with meat, vegetables and spices. It is often served as a soup or as a main dish, with bread or salad.
A must-try meat dish is Shashlik which consists of skewered and grilled pieces of marinated beef, lamb, chicken, or even horse meat. It is served with bread, fresh vegetables and sauce made from yogurt.
A popular salad dish that is served along with plov or other Uzbek food is Achichuk. It is made from thinly sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions that are mixed with fresh herbs.
Samsa is a popular snack and street food similar to the Indian samosa. The dough is mixed with spiced ground meat, onions, potatoes and pumpkins and baked in a clay oven.
Another must-try food is Obi Non which is a staple among the locals. This round flatbread is decorated with intricate designs and patterns. It is traditionally baked in a tandoor oven.
The other popular ubek cuisines are Chuchvara (dumplings), Shurpa (soup) and Shivit Oshi (green noodles).
Security
Uzbekistan is a totalitarian (police) state, with very low crime rate. With tourism booming, the government is taking special measures to ensure safety of visitors. There is heavy presence of police at cities and tourism spots.
Uzbekistan will host the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 from 14 September to 6 October 2024.
Transport
Travelling around Uberkistan is easy as the cities and towns are accessible by planes, high speed train, taxis and buses.
Visitors are recommended to bring US dollars which are accepted by merchants. Most hotels have machines to change dollars to Som, the currency of Uberkistan.
Getting to Uberkistan is easy now as Batik Air is flying from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent. Tour arrangements are made by Funholiday Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd.