The brief information Uzbekistan is situated in central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, the Aral Sea, and the slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains. It is bounded by Kazakhstan in the north and northwest, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the east and southeast, Turkmenistan in the southwest, and Afghanistan in the south. Uzbekistan is a fabulous and amazing country, a true monument of the history of many peoples and empires, one of the stations of the ancient Silk Road. This Central Asian republic has a variety of treasures, attracting visitors from all over the world - beautiful desert and mountain landscapes, ancient cities and monuments of architecture, colorful culture. Tashkent Tashkent is a capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the most populated city in Central Asia, a political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. Tashkent is a huge metropolis with a population of over 3 million people. The city is lined with a grid of straight and wide streets and avenues, decorated with emerald green parks, gardens, fountains imbued with crystal strands. This wonderful city is a real embodiment of the modern elegance that is inherent in many world capitals. At the same time it remains to be an oriental city. Tashkent has its own unique flavor. It combines medieval buildings as if descended from the pages of old oriental tales, elegant European architecture from the period of the Turkestan governor-generalship, standard concrete "boxes" of the Soviet era and, finally, glittering skyscrapers of glass and concrete (modern business centers and banks).
Samarkand Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. The history of Samarkand is about 2,750 years old and has witnessed many upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic Conquest, Genghis-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane's. Hence, the culture of Samarkand was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Majestic and beautiful city Samarkand has a marvelous and attractive power. Poets and historians of the past called it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, the pearl of the Eastern Muslim World". Its advantageous geographical position in the Zarafshan valley puts Samarkand to the first place among cities of Central Asia. Over the history this legendary city on the Silk Road went through growths and decays, suffered from destroying invasions of foreign rulers and again revived, becoming more beautiful. Trade routes to the west, to Persia, to the east, to China, to the south, to India, intersected here and formed intersections of the Silk Road. Today Samarkand is the treasure of unique antiquity spirit. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the abundance of material and spiritual values. Unique monuments of ancient architecture, heritage of scientific and arts schools, artisans workshops are well-known around the world.
Resort mountain areas of Uzbekistan The Valley of Chimgan is located on the height of 1200-1600 meters above sea level and is surrounded with mountains. Greater Chimgan Mountain (3309 m) is the main peak of the valley and towers above the entire valley. Chimgan mountains include such beauty spots as Gulkam, Beldersay and others. In addition this district is the most ecological part of Uzbekistan, because these places are the part of Ugam-Chatkal National Park, under protection of which are various mountain landscapes of western Tian-Shan. For its beauty and health-improving properties Chimgan is called as "Uzbek Switzerland". Slopes of mountains are covered with relict fir-tree woods. Mountains and hills are indented by mountain rivers, which people call "sai". There is the fresh and pure air with fragnance of numerous flowers and herbals (the word Chimgan or Chim yon is translated as green grass, green valley ). The development of this territory as the recreation zone was started as far back as in pre-revolution period. In the end of XIX century Russian doctors officers built the hospital in Chimgan, finding out about healing properties of mountain air. And after construction of country residence of Governor- General of Turkestan area, Chimgan obtained the popularity among citizens as the perfect recreation zone. Tourist complex Chimgan includes the number of high-rise buildings, hotels, cottages, cable rail road, network of shops, bars, restaurants and cafe and other recreation institutions such as recreation zones, sanatoriums, summer camps..
Charvak: artificial lake in Uzbekistan Mountains This Pearl of Tian Shan Mountains has appeared quite recently. The rock fill dam of 168 meter height was made in 1970. Confluent of Mountain Rivers of Pskem, Kok-Su and Chatkal created the wonderful mountain lake Charvak Reservoir, which blue water attracts everyone in hot summer days. Charvak Reservoir is located 60 km from Tashkent and is the most popular recreational area for local people. The coast line of the reservoir is almost 100 km, and half of this area is occupied by various recreation zones, boarding houses and summer camps. The most comfortable place here is the complex Charvak Oromgokhi, where you can have good time, tanning on sandy beach, boating or riding on water scooter. In addition you can enjoy your time in Yusupkhona and Brichmula villages overlooking the great panorama of Big and Small Chimgan peaks and other rock mountains, which are also popular tourist sites for residents and guests of the capital. One of small and interesting sights of Charvak Reservoir is the village of Bogiston. It is the birthplace of two great figures of East: Sheikh Khovendi at-tahur (Shaykhantaur) and his distant relative Ubaydulla Akhror, world-wide known great master of Sufism. On the way to Charvak Dam you can visit chaykhona (national café) where you will find the 600-year Plane tree mural paintings of primitive people close to it. It takes one hour or more to reach Charvak Reservoir from Tashkent. Here you can swim, go on a hike along surrounding hills and mountains as well as paraglide or ride on water scooter or just come to enjoy fresh air, pure mountain water and see unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.