Last updated on 08 January, 2019 at 09:20 am
Capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent is marked by its Soviet history. The style of the subway stations is clearly inspired by the USSR. From down there, you could easily believe being in a city of Russia. In addition, some buildings, such as the Uzbekistan hotel, can not deny their Soviet origins: wide, high, rectangular, small windows and thick concrete.
The contrast of wealth with the rest of the country is less noticeable than in Tajikistan, between Dushanbe and the rest of the country.
Our arrival from Khiva
We arrived at the end of the morning with the night train from Khiva. As soon as we got out of the train, a horde of taxi kept out of the perimeter by the police welcomes us. One of them – he had spotted us from Khiva our way out of the train – made great gestures to explain to his colleagues that he was reserving us. Passing by him, we explain to him that we will take the metro. He tells us that there is no metro. When he sees that we are aware of the existence of the subway, he tells us “Bomb, metro, bomb”. All means are good to get us on a taxi …
« Bomb, metro, bomb! », a taximan in Tashkent
Our visit of Tashkent
In Tashkent, historical sites are scattered all over the city. It is difficult to do everything by foot, the metro is your friend. Here, orthodox cathedrals mingle with mosques in a historical and religious mishmash.
Having kept Tashkent for the end of our Uzbek stay, we didn’t visit as much as in the other three cities we visited (Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva) in Uzbekistan, being a little tired.
Minor Mosque
The Minor Mosque is one of Tashkent unmissable monument. Inaugurated in 2014, the country’s largest mosque mixes modernity and tradition in a very bright style. Céline learned at her expense that the mosque was reserved for men during certain times of the day.
La mosquée Minor est un des immanquables de Tachkent. Inaugurée en 2014 et plus grande mosquée du pays, elle mélange modernité et tradition dans un style très lumineux. Céline y a appris à ses dépends que la mosquée était réservée aux hommes pendant certains moments de la journée.
Amir Temur Square
Amir Temur Square is the most famous square in Tashkent. With the statue of Amir Temur and the Uzbekistan hotel, it can be seen in any leaflet boasting Tashkent.
Chorsu Market
The Chorsu covered market is also worth a visit. The locals come to shop there, everything can be found, vegetables, spices through baby diapers, socks to finish with fruits, meat and electronic appliances.
And so much more
There are also a good number of memorials to visit everywhere as well as some other monuments to see such as the television tower. The Google trips app gives a nice summary of these other monuments.
Shopping in Tashkent
Shopping in Tashkent is possible and relatively cheap compared to Europe. However, the style of dress is often style the one from the 80s. There are also famous brands at prices and styles (modern) very interesting.
Tips for visiting Tashkent
Below are our tips and advices for visiting Tashkent. If you are interested in Uzbekistan as a whole, you can read the dedicated article.
How to travel to/in Tashkent? Transportation
To arrive in Tachkent
The night train to Tashkent from Khiva takes about 12 hours. To learn more about Uzbek trains, visit our article on Uzbekistan. It is also possible to fly between these two cities.
The train ticket cost us 95’500 soms (CHF 11.50 or € 10) in a four person compartment. From Tashkent Station, you can take the subway directly to the city.
Tashkent subway
Tashkent Subway is composed of three lines, the red line, the green line and the blue line. Be careful: the stations to change lines are not named the same on both lines. For example, the Oybek station is also called Ming Orik on the other line. In addition, there is no display or announcement of the name of the stations in the train. You must fall back to the walls of each station.
The northern part of the green line is under construction while the development of the southern part is only in planning.
A metro ticket costs 1,200 soms (0.14 CHF or 0.12 €).
In front of each metro station, your bag is (quickly) searched by a policeman.
Where to sleep in Tashkent? Accommodations
In order to simplify your life, the best is to find an accommodation close to a metro stop. Thus, you can be quickly everywhere in town.
We stayed at Trip.LE hostel. It is less than 10 minutes from the Oybek subway station, which is located on two subway lines. We tested the dorm for two nights and a double room with shared bathroom for the last night. The bedroom of the dormitory deserves to see the broom a little more often. Otherwise the cleanliness was ok. As for the double room, it was quite clean. The decorations on the walls of the rooms and in the corridors are well done. The breakfast was very nice, we shared the tables and discussed between packpackers.
Where to eat in Tashkent? The restaurants
In general, it’s possible to eat well in Tashkent.
We went to eat at the Mona restaurant. This rather chic and expensive restaurant offers a huge steak of meat that can fill your (our) desire of meat after a more or less long stay in Central Asia.
We went also to eat at Afonsa Restaurant. If Celine fell very well with her piece of meat, I had less luck with my beef skewer. Indeed, it smelled… sheep! I don’t know if they cooked it next to another skewer or if it’s the usual taste of beef there (if so, poor beef…). In any case, the manager changed the skewer for a better one.
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