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Places to Visit in Urgench, Uzbekistan, Asia

Urgench is a city in the western parts of Uzbekistan with a population of 139,500 (2003 estimate) and is the capital of the province of Khorezm. Located at coordinates 41⁰32^’60” N and 60⁰37’60” E, Urgench is 91 meters above sea level. Bukhara province is 450 km east of Urgench across the Kyzyl desert. The maximum temperature in summer is recorded at 37⁰ C and the minimum temperature in winter is -4⁰ C.

The main occupation of the people in Urgench is agriculture. Cotton and rice are the major agriculture produces in this part. Other agriculture produce include orchards, grapes, and melon and gourd plantations along with potato fields. From September to April the weather conditions are favorable for spending vacation at Urgench.

 

People & Culture of Urgench  

Urgench ethnicity is the most ancient and colorful one on this entire planet. Islam religion is widely followed by the locals of Urgench. In Urgench the day Friday of every week is regarded as a public holiday.

 

Food and Shopping at Urgench

Embroidery and embroidered wears, traditional wears and carpets are a common site in shops located at Urgench. Works on metal and precious stones are on display at jewelry stores in Urgench.

 

Tourist Places in Urgench  

• Of Note

Created in the year 1922, the monument Of Note was built in remembrance of the twenty Komsomol members who were put to death by Tekke Basmachi close to the banks of river Syr Darya.

 

• Statue of Muhammed al-Khwarizmi

Located near to Hotel Urgench is a statue of Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, who lived in Urgench in the 9^th century and was well-known for his work as a mathematician especially in Algebra.

 

• Itchan Kala

 

Declared as one of the World Heritage site by UNESCO, Itchan Kala known as the walled inner city is the old town of Khiva and is 35 km southeast of Urgench. Itchan Kala was created in the 10^th century and houses 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses.

 

Means of Commutation to Urgench

Airways:

At a distance of 72 km and altitude of 98 meters, Urgench International Airport at Urgench sees to the arrival and departure of flights to places like St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia country and Bukhara, Tashkent in Uzbekistan country. There are also flights twice a week to Milan from Urgench. Every alternate day in a week there are flights to Frankfurt. During tourist seasons there are domestic flights to places such as Samarkand, Karshi, Termez, and Fergana from Urgench International Airport.

 

Railway:

Urgench Railway station caters to the arrival and departure of national and international trains. Twice a week there are trains moving from Urgench to Termez via Bukhara and Karshi. There are also trains commuting passengers from Samarkand and Tashkent to Urgench.

 

Roadway:

Urgench has a wonderful network of roads connecting to places located inside the boundaries of Uzbekistan country.

 

Accommodation Options in and around Urgench

There is one three star hotel in Urgench and the rest of three star hotels are located 30 km from Urgench at Khiva. All these three star hotels have luxury spacious, air conditioned rooms with impeccably clean bathrooms, soft bed, free Wi-Fi, clean ambience, etc. All this facilities come at cost of $180 to $210 per day at three star and four star hotels in and around Urgench. There are also decent economy hotels around Urgench with single rooms rented at $70 and double rooms rented at $85 per day. List of best hotels in the vicinity is as follows:

• Domina Khorezm Palace
• Islambek, Khiva
• Arkanchi, Khiva
• Hotel Malika Kheivak, Khiva
• Malika Khiva Hotel, Khiva
• Hotel Asia Khiva, Khiva
• Hotel Alibek, Khiva
• Malika, Khiva

Termez Tourist Places to Visit in Termez, Uzbekistan, Asia

Located in the south of Uzbekistan and close to the borders of Afghanistan, Termez is the capital city of Surxondaryo province. According to Sogdian language Termez means “place of transition”. Termez is located at latitude 37⁰13’ N and longitude 67⁰17’ E. The weather in Termez is very hot in summers and cool in winters. The maximum temperature in summer season is 51⁰ C and minimum temperature in winter season is -0.3⁰ C. Winter season is the best time for visiting Termez i.e. from December month to January month.

 

History of Termez

During the 1^st to 3^rd century B.C, Termez was ruled by the Kushan Empire. At this time Buddhist culture flourished in Termez. Generations after generations many palaces and monuments were built in and around the Termez city in medieval period. All this still exists in Termez.

 

Tourist Places in Termez

 

• Kyrk-Kyz Fortress

 

Kyrk-Kyz fortress was constructed between 9^th and 14^th century is situated on the outskirts of Termez. Within this fortress is located a palace with amazing architecture.

 

• Termez Archeological Museum

 

Present within Termez Archeological Museum are monuments dating to the Kushan period, coins and stamps of various medieval rulers, utensils obtained from various excavation works in Termez and many more ancient artifacts on display to tourists.

 

• Architectural Ensemble Sultan Saodat

 

This complex was created between 9^th and 17^th century in memory of Sultan Saodat close to the burial point of Termez sayyids.

 

• Fayaz-Tepe Buddhist Monastery

 

In 1963, during excavation works Fayaz-Tepe Buddhist Monastery was discovered by an archaeologist at Kara-Tepa hill in old Termez.

 

• Zurmala Tower

 

Constructed by use of square bricks with a distinctive stamp, this stupa was created in 3^rd century A.D and as per archeologists this structure dates back to the golden age.

Other remarkable tourist destinations of interest in Termez are:

• Architectural Complex of Al Hakim At-Termizi
• Palace of Termez Rulers
• Kokildora Khanaka
• Isa At-Tirmidhi Mausoleum
• Zul Kifl Mausoleum

 

Means of Commutation to Termez

Airway:

To connect Termez with the rest of the world Termez Airport operates flights in and out of Uzbekistan. There are flights to and fro Moscow and Tashkent. The airport is 14 km away from Termez city.

 

Railway:

Termez Railway station is 10.5 km away from Termez city. Every alternate day there is night train available from Tashkent Railway station to Termez Railway station at 9 pm.

 

Roadway:

Termez is easily accessible via road from other provinces in Uzbekistan. If you plan to enter Termez from Afghanistan then you need to hire a taxi to Hairatan from where you need to cross the border by foot.

 

Accommodation Options at Termez

There are three star and four star hotels at Termez with spacious and airy rooms. These hotels offer outstanding services and various amenities such as free breakfast, swimming pool, closed circuit TV, safe deposit box etc, to tourists at a price range of $180 to $220 per day. Tourist can also come across hotels with air conditioned single room rented at cost of $60 and double room at $80 at Termez. List of hotels in and near Termez is as follows:

• Meridian Hotel
• Hotel Akmal Kholis
• Ulugbek Hotel
• Kok Goumbaz, Karabag
• Ak Sarai
• Hotel Hayot

Places to Visit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Asia

Samarkand according to Persian language means “Stone Fort” or “Rock Town”. Located along the ancient Silk Road, Samarkand city is the second biggest city in Uzbekistan and forms the administration of Samarqand Province. Samarkand is at an altitude at 703 meters and coordinates are 39⁰39’15” N and 66⁰57’35” E. According to 2010 estimates the population of Samarkand province has touched 708,545. Summers are hot with temperature crossing 40⁰ C and winters are cold with temperature dropping to -0.5⁰ C. From November to February is the best time to visit Samarkand.

 

History of Samarkand

During 332 B.C, when Alexander the Great conquered Samarkand, the place was then known as Marakanda. In the 14^th century, Samarkand was ruled by Empire of Tamerlane called Timur. Many monuments were built in his memory. In the year 2001, Samarkand was noted as the Crossroads of Culture under UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

 

Food and Shopping at Samarkand

The bread of Samarkand is called as “Samarkand Non”. There are very good restaurants at Samarkand such as Regal Palace Restaurant, Istiqol, Karim Bek, Sikhookyung Korean and Kafe Labig’Or Restaurant where breakfast costs $10, lunch $12 and dinner $13. There are also coffee points in Samarkand where one can enjoy snacks served along with coffee at Café Magistr.

Tourist Places in Samarkand  

 

• Registan

Registan Square was built in between the 14^th and 16^th century Islamic period, and is regarded as ‘Jewel in Central Asia’s crown’. Tourists need to shell out a few dollars as entry fee at Registan Square.

• Shahr-i-Zindar Monuments

 

Shahr-i-Zindar monument is a masterpiece built from the finest majolica tile work is dedicated to the memories of Timur and his family.

 

• Gur Emir Mausoleum

 

Built in the year 1404, Gur Emir Mausoleum houses the grave of Timur.

 

• Afrasiab

 

One of its kinds in Samarkand, Afrasiab is the oldest civilized architecture building that has stood against all odds for more than two thousand years.

There are other tourist places of interest in Samarkand such as:

• Bibi Khanym Mosque
• Central Bazaar
• Ulugh Beg Observatory
• Tillya Kori Madrasah
• Sher Dor Madrasah
• Ulugbek Madrasah
• Khodja Abdi Darun Shrine
• Chupan Ata Shrine
• Khodja Akrar Madrasah

 

Means of Commutation to Samarkand

Airway:

Flights from Moscow, Kazan and Tashkent land and takeoff at Samarkand Airport, which is situated 6.9 km away from Samarkand city. Flights to Moscow are available on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from Samarkand. On Monday and Friday there are flights from Samarkand to St. Petersburg. Flights are available everyday to Tashkent from Samarkand except on Friday. Flights from Samarkand to Kazan operate only on Friday.

 

Railway:

Other than Tuesday and Wednesday of every week train no.2 runs between Tashkent and Samarkand in the morning at 7 am and train no. 4 runs between Tashkent and Samarkand in the evening except on Wednesday. Train no. 662 leaves for Bukhara daily at 8.45pm reaching Samarkand at 2.11 am. International trains are also available at Samarkand railway station to places like St. Petersburg in Russia and Alma-Ata in Kazakhstan.

 

Roadway:

Samarkand is connected via road to places such as:

• Tashkent – 290 km
• Bokhara – 270 km
• Khiva – 740 km
• Andizhan – 610 km
• Fergana – 600 km
• Urgench – 700 km

There are buses as well as shared taxis accessible from Sobir Rahimov Bus station which takes tourists to the above mentioned places from Samarkand.

 

Accommodation Options at Samarkand

Three star Hotel with world class amenities such as air condition room, bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs, spas, massage center, free Wi-Fi, free car parking, car on hire, etc are available at Samarkand. The cost for a room such as luxury or suites varies from $180 to $210. A decent economy hotel are with air conditioned single room are available at cost of $65 while double room costs $85 at Samarkand.

• Samarkand Hotels
• Malika Samarkand Hotel
• Hotel Grand Samarkand
• Samarkand Plaza Hotel
• Ideal Hotel
• Latif Hotel – 7Star
• Hotel Dilshoda
• The Hotel Uzbegim Plaza
• Hotel Caravan Serail
• Malika Prime Hotel