Tourism is picking up pace in Uzbekistan, though slowly, and the country is changing to suit the needs of foreign visitors. There is a fair bit of difficulty involved with travelling independently thanks to the general nature of the country, but accredited Uzbek travel agencies will offer organised trips around the country – whilst they may be less exciting than the thrill of going it alone, they are certainly a lot easier.

Tashkent is the fourth largest city of all the CIS republics and is home to countless attractions and peculiarities for all to enjoy. Unfortunately the new part of town is architecturally bland, as it was built following the destruction of the city by an earthquake in 1966 and offers no splendour that would normally be expected. The old town still gives what is asked of it though, and the small winding streets are delightful. A number of museums are available for visit through the city and they include riches and beauties from the millennia of Central Asia’s history. Other attractions include the multitude of religious buildings – mosques and temples, though permission should always be asked before entering, as some places do not allow non-Muslims in. the capital also offers a number of bars and restaurants as well as theatre and ballet shows.

Samarkand is well worth a visit, as one of the integral points of the Silk Road and at one point one of the most prosperous cities in the world. The 5000 year old town offers wonderful sights and experiences, including Registan Square and the monuments to Timur. Elsewhere are towns such as the strangely-preserved Khiva and what was at one point the Islamic centre of learning, Bukhara.

Mountaineering, skiing and hiking are also popular pursuits in Uzbekistan.