Tashkent

Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, is the largest urban centre in Central Asia, with a population exceeding 2.8 million. Situated in the centre-east of the country near the border with Kazakhstan, the city serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of Uzbekistan. Tashkent has a long and complex history, having been part of various empires including the Sogdian civilisation, the Islamic Caliphate, the Mongol Empire, and later the Russian Empire. It was significantly influenced by Soviet rule following its incorporation into the USSR in the 1920s, and many remnants of Soviet-era architecture and planning remain visible today.
Despite suffering a devastating earthquake in 1966, much of Tashkent was rebuilt with wide boulevards, public squares, and monumental buildings. The city is home to several important institutions, such as the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. Tashkent also houses a number of major theatres and museums, including the State Museum of History and the Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The city’s economy is diverse, with industries ranging from textiles and metallurgy to electronics and information technology. It also functions as a major transportation hub in Central Asia, with an extensive railway network and Central Asia’s busiest airport, Tashkent International Airport. The Tashkent Metro, inaugurated in 1977, was the first underground metro system in Central Asia and is renowned for its ornate station designs. Tashkent continues to be a dynamic centre of development and modernisation in the region.
How to get to Tashkent
Tashkent has an international airport with flights to Europe and Asia and a train station.
Accommodation
Tashkent has countless hotels, bookable via international hotel booking portals.