{"id":30694,"date":"2021-08-31T15:11:11","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T15:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/?p=30694"},"modified":"2024-06-21T18:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T18:43:20","slug":"insiders-guide-to-the-top-8-unesco-sites-experiences-in-uzbekistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/insiders-guide-to-the-top-8-unesco-sites-experiences-in-uzbekistan\/","title":{"rendered":"Insider\u2019s Guide to the Top 8 UNESCO Sites & Experiences in Uzbekistan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\"Timelessness:
Timelessness: dawn breaks over Bukhara. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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A quest for the quintessentially best in world travel can yield remarkable, thought-provoking experiences. Some travelers find such experiences in historic or natural UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites<\/a>, as well as with cultural treasures inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among these UNESCO listings in 167 countries is an intriguing subset, <\/strong>ones that are threatened by climate change (accelerated erosion of Cappadocia\u2019s rock formations in Turkey); or difficult to get to (Koguryo Tombs, North Korea); or utterly pristine (Plitvice Lakes in Croatia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is such a UNESCO-treasured country that incorporates all of these: Uzbekistan<\/a>.  Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is capturing international attention and an uptick in travelers, especially due to its outstanding UNESCO sites and cultural heritage treasures \u2013 ranging from the Silk Road oasis of Samarkand and pristine Western Tien Shan Mountains to the art of making plov and weaving silk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many travelers to this Central Asian country note the friendliness and hospitality of Uzbeks, wherever they go.\nPhoto credit: Peter Guttman\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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After decades of isolation and mounds of red tape just to visit this country, today thanks to a dizzying speed of travel-friendly changes that have taken place over the last few years under a new reform-minded government intent on sharing this country with the rest of the world, Uzbekistan beckons.  With e-visas, high-speed trains, new restaurants, airports, and hotels, Uzbekistan is ready for prime time. Now is an excellent time to add the once-obscure Silk Road nation and its UNESCO trove of sights and experiences to your travel bucket list. Uzbekistan is still relatively uncrowded with visitors, offering true authenticity and open-handed hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recent reform-minded policies enacted by the Uzbek government are giving everyone a reason to smile. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Here are 8 breathtaking ways to experience UNESCO treasures in Uzbekistan:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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1) Site: Silk Road\u2019s Heart, Samarkand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Intangible: Celebrate Navruz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Site: Bukhara Beckons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Intangible: Plates of Plov<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Site: Khiva\u2019s Living Past<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Intangible: Margilan\u2019s Silk Road Silk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Site: A Royal City, Shahrisabz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8) Intangible: Shashmaqom Music<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1) UNESCO Site: Samarkand, the Silk Road\u2019s Heart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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With its three madrassahs, the Registan is arguably the iconic symbol of all Central Asia;\nUlug Bek is on the left, Tillya-Kori in the center, and Shir-Dor on the right.\nPhoto credit: Abdu Samadov\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Considered the \u201cheart of the heart of the Silk Road\u201d and one of the oldest cities in the world, Samarkand has captured the imagination of storytellers, poets, sojourners, and travelers for thousands of years. Its iconic Registan (\u201cSandy Place\u201d) is the town\u2019s main square and is considered a masterpiece of Persian architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For centuries, the Registan has been a gathering place for local residents as well as sojourners on the Silk Road Photo credit: Donovan Wong
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Must-see:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Three tiled madrassahs harmoniously ring the Registan: On the western side is the original 1420 Ulug Bek Madrassah, named for the brilliant mathematician, astronomer, and Timurid sultan, with its tiled portal depicting the sky and stars. On the eastern side is the restored 1636 Shir-Dor (\u201cLions\u201d) Madrassah, decorated with mosaics of lions, deer, and controversial rising suns. Between the two is Tillya-Kori (\u201cGilded\u201d) Madrassah, built on the site of a caravanserai in 1660, and embedded with gold leaf and glazed tiled mosaics with geometric and floral motifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • \n \"Stars-and-sky <\/li>\n
  • \n \"Resembling <\/li>\n
  • \n \"Tillya-Kori <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n <\/a>\n <\/a>\n