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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Uzbekistan

21 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Uzbekistan

Updated November 23, 2022

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Uzbekistan

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

The Avenue of Mausolea is a series of grand palatial tombs.

Muynak District, Uzbekistan

Moynaq

Once a bustling fishing port, this semi-ghost town is now more than 90 miles away from the shore.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Ulugh Beg Observatory

Light still pours into the ruins of this ancient Islamic observatory.

Xiva, Uzbekistan

Walls of Itchan Kala

Ancient barriers wrap around what was once an important stop along the Silk Road.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Kalyan Minaret

This "tower of death" has acted as an observatory, a religious hub, and an executioner's lair.

Kantubek, Uzbekistan

Vozrozhdeniye Island

Former island in the Aral Sea used to be a top-secret Russian bio-weapons facility.

Kokand, Uzbekistan

Khan's Palace

Final palace complex of the last of 29 Kokand rulers.

Beruni, Uzbekistan

Elliq-Qala

These "50 Fortresses" have been unearthed in the ancient oasis of Khwarezm.

See All 21 Things To Do in Uzbekistan

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Central Asian Plov Center

Giant cauldrons overflow with Uzbekistan's favorite rice dish at this cavernous dining hall.

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Guided Tours of Uzbekistan

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The Silk Road of Central Asia

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Sacred Spaces 3

Cultures And Civilizations 3

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Lists Featuring Uzbekistan

Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.

A rusted fleet sits crumbling in the sunbaked desert

Ulugh Beg Observatory.

The mosque, with the minaret in the background.

6 Unique Places to Visit in Uzbekistan

From palatial tombs to desert ghost towns, these are the places Atlas Obscura users most want to visit.

Including Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Moynaq, and Ulugh Beg Observatory

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