Tashkent – Where the Past Meets the Future
Contents
Discover Tashkent – a city where history continues to live, traditions find new expression, and the past inspires the future
Tashkent is a city where the East meets the modern world, and traces of a history spanning centuries exist alongside the dynamic rhythm of a thriving capital. Ancient mosques and madrasas, bustling bazaars and shady parks, Soviet-era architecture and contemporary cultural spaces come together to create a remarkably harmonious urban landscape.
In a single day, you can wander from the historic quarters to modern squares and art spaces, explore a traditional oriental bazaar, travel a few stops on Tashkent’s famous metro, enjoy fragrant plov for lunch and end the day with dinner at a traditional Uzbek restaurant.
Ancient Tashkent
In the old city, Tashkent reveals itself through turquoise domes, quiet courtyards, historic madrasas and the lively sounds of an oriental bazaar. This is where it is easiest to sense the spirit of a city that for centuries stood along the great trading and cultural routes of the Silk Road.
Places to visit:
- Khast Imam Complex
- Tillya Sheikh Mosque
- Barak-Khan Madrasah
- Kukeldash Madrasah
- Chorsu Bazaar
History and Museums
Tashkent’s history stretches back many centuries, and there is no better way to discover it than by exploring the city’s museums as well as its historic streets. The capital’s collections offer a fascinating journey through Uzbekistan’s past – from archaeological discoveries and ancient manuscripts to art, craftsmanship and the legacy of its great rulers.
Places to visit:
- State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
- State Museum of the Temurids’ History
- State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan
- State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan
- State Art Gallery of Uzbekistan
Islamic Heritage
In Tashkent, an ancient intellectual and spiritual tradition meets a new generation of cultural spaces. The recently opened Centre of Islamic Civilisation offers a fascinating perspective on the history of Islamic civilisation in the region, bringing together science, education, art and cultural heritage. The centre opened in March 2026 and includes a museum, library and educational facilities.
Places to visit:
- Centre of Islamic Civilisation of Uzbekistan
- Khast Imam Complex
Theatre and Music
As evening falls, Tashkent reveals another side of its character through music, theatre and ballet. The city’s grand theatres form an essential part of its cultural landscape, while their stages bring together classical heritage and contemporary artistic expression.
Places to visit:
- Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre
- Uzbekistan National Academic Drama Theatre
- State Academic Russian Drama Theatre of Uzbekistan
- Theatre of Musical Comedy
- Tashkent State Puppet Theatre
Contemporary Art
Modern Tashkent is increasingly becoming a meeting place for artists, designers and creative communities. New cultural spaces are revealing another side of Uzbekistan – bold, contemporary and looking towards the future.
Places to visit:
- Centre for Contemporary Art Tashkent
- Tashkent House of Photography
- State Art Gallery of Uzbekistan
A City Beneath the City
Tashkent’s metro is a gallery beneath the streets. Each station has its own distinctive character, with mosaics, ornaments, columns and decorative details transforming an everyday journey into a small architectural tour of the city. The metro opened in 1977 and was the first underground railway in Central Asia.
Stations worth seeing:
- Kosmonavtlar
- Alisher Navoi
- Paxtakor
- Uzbekistan
Bazaars and the Spirit of the East
To experience the true rhythm of Tashkent, head to one of its bazaars. Here, the city becomes louder, brighter and more fragrant: vendors display colourful fruit and spices, while mountains of dried fruit sit alongside freshly baked flatbreads, nuts and traditional sweets.
Places to visit:
- Chorsu Bazaar
- Alay Bazaar
- Mirobad Market
The Flavours of Uzbekistan
You cannot truly discover Uzbekistan without tasting its cuisine. Food is an essential part of the country’s culture of hospitality: a generous dastarkhan brings friends and strangers together around the same table, while the aroma of plov, grilled meat and freshly baked flatbread can become one of the most memorable parts of a journey.
Try plov, freshly baked tandoor samsa, manti, lagman, shashlik, achichuk salad and warm Uzbek flatbread – and let Tashkent reveal itself through its flavours.
Beyond Tashkent
If your schedule allows for an extra day, venture into the mountains. Just a few hours from the capital, the cityscape gives way to sweeping valleys, mountain peaks and the turquoise waters of Lake Charvak.
Places to visit:
- Chimgan – mountain scenery and picturesque trails
- Charvak Reservoir – turquoise waters surrounded by mountains
- Amirsoy – a modern mountain resort
- Beldersay – spectacular mountain landscapes and outdoor activities
Tours Around Uzbekistan
Let Uzbekistan tell you its story – through its ancient cities, magnificent architecture, Eastern traditions and the warm hospitality of its people. Discover a land where the echoes of the past live on in the present.
Cities to visit:
- Samarkand – where legends come to life
- Bukhara – the spirit of the Ancient East
- Khiva – a journey through the centuries