Uzbekistan is the homeland of the ancient civilizations of Bactria, Khorezm, Sogdiana, and Parthia. The Great Silk Road passed through these states from China to Europe. The famous Seyidan and the Kuk-Gumbaz mosque (15th century) are well-known to all. The amazing city of Shakhrisabz is where antiquity and modernity coexist without interfering with each other. The mausoleum of Jahangir, the beloved son of Timur, who died at the age of 22, is the most majestic structure. Also buried in this mausoleum is Timur's second son, Omar-Sheikh, who died during the storming of the fortress.
Near Shakhrisabz is the famous Amir-Temir Cave and the grand Tash-Kurgan Canyon. These unique natural sites will complement the acquaintance with ancient Shakhrisabz.
Nurata is an oasis city in the Kyzylkum Desert. It is well-known that the armies of Alexander the Great passed through the streets of Nurata. The city has preserved a system of kyarizes—ancient water supply channels. From here begins an exciting journey through the desert on Bactrian camels, which concludes three days later at the lake Aydar-Kul, surrounded by sands.
Standing apart in the classification of Uzbekistan's tourist resources is the Fergana Valley, which borders Kyrgyzstan. The Fergana Valley is called the center of folk crafts. At the silk factory in Margilan, tourists learn about the technology of hand-made silk production. In Rishtan, an interesting ceramics factory can be found. The main cities of the valley are: Fergana, Kokand, Namangan, and Andijan. Among the historical and cultural monuments of the Fergana Valley, the most interesting are: the palace of Khudor-Khan (18th-19th centuries) and the Norbota Biya madrasa (18th century) in Kokand, the Jami complex (19th century) in Andijan, and the Mullahbazar mausoleum (18th century) in Namangan.
In recent years, at the initiative of Uzbekistan, all roads connecting Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have been closed to traffic and the passage of tourists. Currently, there is only one checkpoint, "Dostlik," located 12 km west of the city of Osh. Since 2001, a visa regime for entry and exit has been introduced between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, which significantly hinders the development of tourism.
