UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan is the center of the Timurid empire, built by an emperor who killed 5% of the world's population. Currently, this country still retains many architectural masterpieces built from the 14th century.
Tamerlane is one of the most feared emperors of the world, who conquered most of Western and Central Asia. By the end of the 14th century, the most powerful time of the empire he headed.
However, the legacy that Tamerlane left for the next life is very beautiful and great. To this day, after 25 years of independence, Uzbekistan remains a controversial country because this famous king and ancient buildings are preserved.
Tamerlane is one of the most feared emperors of the world, who conquered most of Western and Central Asia. By the end of the 14th century, the most powerful time of the empire he headed.
However, the legacy that Tamerlane left for the next life is very beautiful and great. To this day, after 25 years of independence, Uzbekistan remains a controversial country because this famous king and ancient buildings are preserved.
The ideal travel time
from March to May - from August to November - (June and July are very hot, temperatures can reach 50 oC)
Currency
Uzbekistan som (UZS). Average rate of 1USD = 9500 UZS (as of February-2020).
Telephone network and internet
The largest mobile service provider (in terms of customers) is MTS-Uzbekistan (formerly Uzdunrobita and a subsidiary of Russian Mobile TeleSystems). Next is Beeline (a subsidiary of Russian Beeline company) and Coscom.
Visa
Visas are required for everyone except passport holders of CIS countries. Invitations (LOI) are not necessary for citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, but are still needed for most others, for example for Canadian & US citizens following a simple visa process.
Vietnamese citizens can receive electronic visas
Electronic visas are issued on the state portal E-Visa e-visa.gov.uz.
Vietnamese citizens can also receive tourist visas at consular offices of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be simplified in the presence of a personal presence (without invitation / or visa support). Visas are issued within 2 working days, excluding the date of receipt.
Vietnamese citizens can receive electronic visas
Electronic visas are issued on the state portal E-Visa e-visa.gov.uz.
Vietnamese citizens can also receive tourist visas at consular offices of the Republic of Uzbekistan to be simplified in the presence of a personal presence (without invitation / or visa support). Visas are issued within 2 working days, excluding the date of receipt.
Cuisine
A crossroads of commerce and a rich history of various empires, Uzbek cuisine is very eclectic in its origin, an intersection of Indian, Iranian, Arabic, Russian, and China is present in these unique dishes.
- Osh (Plov) - is a national dish (almost like fried rice). It is made from rice, carrots (especially yellow carrots), onions, and lamb or beef, to Uzbekistan guests should enjoy plov. Each region has its own way of cooking plov, so the taste will be different. According to the plov legend devised by the chefs of Alexander the Great. In the culture of the people of Uzbekistan Plov will be given last and guests should not refuse to not betray the host's hospitality.
- Chuchvara - similar to ravioli and stuffed with lamb and onions
- Manti - Mutton and onions stuffed into dumplings. (similar to Vietnamese dumpling)
- Somsa - Pies stuffed with beef, lamb, pumpkin or potatoes. During spring "green somsas" is made from "yalpiz" a grass that grows in the mountains and in the rural areas of the region. You can find somsa sold on the street.
- Lagman - Meat soup, potatoes, spices, vegetables and pasta. Correct formula, it must include 50 ingredients. Often carrots, red beets, cabbage, turnips, garlic, tomatoes, peppers and onions are added, thin noodles.
- Shashlik - barbecue. Calves or mutton or fish are salted, chili and vinegar eight to ten pieces of meat are grilled with charcoal.
- Bánh mì - Uzbek people eat a lot of bread. Bagels are called lepioshka. You can buy it anywhere. Samarkand is famous for bread. Samarkand cakes are traditionally baked in clay ovens. Bread is served for every meal.
- Mastava - Porridge with onions, carrots, tomatoes, peas and wild plums.
- Shurpa - Mutton soup (sometimes beef), vegetables.
- Bechbarmak - a nomadic Kazakh specialty, boiled lamb or beef and liver pieces, served with onions, potatoes and noodles.
Places to visit
The great cathedrals
Built in incredible size, the cathedrals in Samarkand and many other historic buildings far exceed the modern city. For example, the cathedral Bibi Khanum, where Tamerland built after he conquered India in the late 14th century. This work has 450 marble columns built by the power of 100 elephants. Photo: Tim Johnson.
The heart of an empire
Although Tamerland was famous thanks to Uzbekistan - where his empire once stretched across lands from India to Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the focus of his reign was Registan (or " sandy areas "in Perisian) in Samarkand. This square used to be the place where royal statements were made as well as where the public executions were carried out. Today, Registan is the venue for many major events, including music festivals. Photo: Jill Potter.
City of the arches
Samarkand is a city of domes and they look a lot better looking from the inside. The high and wide domes are the legacy of the architecture of the Tamerlane era. Samarkand received the UNESCO world heritage title for his architectural masterpieces. Pictured is the ceiling of the cathedral Tilla Kari (meaning "gold covered"), located in the Registan area. Photo: Jill Potter.
Science and literature
Mirzo Ulugbek (left), nephew of Tamerlane and his third successive king, is a mathematician and poet, more intelligent than a leader. Mirzo Ulugbek was deposed by his own son when he wanted to take over the kingdom.
The legacy that Mirzo Ulugbek has left is the Ulugbek observatory he built in 1428. The city government has spent a lot of wealth to preserve and preserve historical buildings in Samrkand, including the entrance to the observatory. this. Photo: Tim Johnson.
The legacy that Mirzo Ulugbek has left is the Ulugbek observatory he built in 1428. The city government has spent a lot of wealth to preserve and preserve historical buildings in Samrkand, including the entrance to the observatory. this. Photo: Tim Johnson.
Tomb of an emperor
Tamerlane, an emperor to conquer all directions, died in 1405. He was buried at the tomb of Gur-Emir. Like himself, Tamerlane's resting place has just made people scared because of its vastness and superiority with lots of gold and the largest emeralds in the world. Photo: Tim Johnson.
The capital of the mighty empire Samarkand
Old city of saints - it's the words of one of the songs, one of the oldest cities in the world, the same age as Rome. The city arose in the 5th century BC. The Greeks called Samarkand - Marakanda, which is the capital of Sogdiana. It is said that here, in this city, Alexander the Great spearly killed his best friend Klit and this part of the city was called Afrasiab Hill, because this part, where the ancient Samarkand existed, was destroyed by the army of Genghis Khan. In the 14-15 century, Samarkand was the capital of the Timur Empire, the great strategist whom the enemy called Timur Lenk, Timur Lenk in Persian meaning lame. Therefore, Timur is known worldwide as Tamerlan.
Samarkand, a deserted city is the capital Tamerlane created, bringing the beauty of both a powerful empire and strange things. Samarkand is full of palaces, cathedrals, mausoleums with towering towers with large domes. Almost all are accented with blue and are hundreds of years old.
Pictured is Shah-i-Zinda, a city of the dead, built around the middle of the 11-19 century. These houses are the graves of trusted people and relatives of Tamerlane. Photo: Jill Potter.
Old city of saints - it's the words of one of the songs, one of the oldest cities in the world, the same age as Rome. The city arose in the 5th century BC. The Greeks called Samarkand - Marakanda, which is the capital of Sogdiana. It is said that here, in this city, Alexander the Great spearly killed his best friend Klit and this part of the city was called Afrasiab Hill, because this part, where the ancient Samarkand existed, was destroyed by the army of Genghis Khan. In the 14-15 century, Samarkand was the capital of the Timur Empire, the great strategist whom the enemy called Timur Lenk, Timur Lenk in Persian meaning lame. Therefore, Timur is known worldwide as Tamerlan.
Samarkand, a deserted city is the capital Tamerlane created, bringing the beauty of both a powerful empire and strange things. Samarkand is full of palaces, cathedrals, mausoleums with towering towers with large domes. Almost all are accented with blue and are hundreds of years old.
Pictured is Shah-i-Zinda, a city of the dead, built around the middle of the 11-19 century. These houses are the graves of trusted people and relatives of Tamerlane. Photo: Jill Potter.
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