Uh-mazing Uzbekistan!! (Part 7): Tashk-ending 2025, Uzbek-oning 2026!!

- December 31. 2025 to January 2, 2026, Wednesday to Friday, New Year.

- Celebrating new year in a different country is always interesting. Will there be fireworks? Will it be quiet? Will people be happy? Or do they celebrate a different new year other than the Gregorian one? I was about to find out how Uzbeks celebrated the new year after we boarded our early morning flight from Bukhara to Tashkent via Uzbekistan Airways. While many people opt to take the 6-hour train ride, we decided to fly since it only took around one hour to reach Tashkent from Bukhara.

- I had a few things in mind when I thought of what things to see and do, especially given that the new year is a holiday in Uzbekistan. Aside from that, one thing I was happy about with the last Tashkent leg of our Central Asia trip was that there was a bit more time to rest. We had been traveling for almost a month after all!

- After checking in (again) at Mirzo Boutique Hotel (we stayed here for a night upon arrival at Uzbekistan some days prior), my family opted to rest while I decided to explore anything I could. I started with the Museum of Applied Arts (a few blocks away from the Kosmonavtlar metro station). Established in 1937, the museum showcases Uzbek handicrafts. The museum itself is a work of art too!

Museum entrance.

It looks nice even on the outside!

Woven clothes and hats.

Carpets and other handicrafts.

Museum's central hall.

Nice jewelry, I see, I like.

Tiled and patterned porch, Uzbek style.

- I was also hoping to visit the Ming Urik / Ming O'rik Museum. It is an ancient settlement from around the 1st century, and today stands as an open-air museum. Unfortunately, the museum was closed, and I read somewhere that the opening hours/days can be vague sometimes despite the schedule posted on the museum's gate. Even so, I was still able to see a little bit from outside the gate.

Ming Urik Museum.

- A highlight of our visit to Tashkent was the Besh Qozon restaurant. It has many branches across Tashkent, but the one that people frequent the most is its original branch close to the Tashkent TV Tower (between Bodomzor and Shahriston metro stations). Since they opened their doors in 1999, they have been known for their plov or pilaf, as well as showing everyone how they prepare and cook their pilafs in giant cauldrons and pans.

We thought we wouldn't be able to get a table because the place was P A C K E D.

You'll pass through all these cauldrons before entering the restaurant.

Most of these people are part of big tour groups.

I love pilaf or plov, but I am constantly reminded of how oily they are.

Our pilaf set meal! (Pilaf/plov, pickled vegetables, bread, and soda.)

Tashkent TV Tower.

- Since it was New Year's Eve, and just coming from a really early flight, the rest of the day was spent resting and catching up on sleep. We didn't even go out for dinner as we ate out leftover pilaf from lunch that we had to-go. When the clock struck 12, I tried to see if there were fireworks outdoors. We could hear some of them, but I guess our hotel was quite far from the city center so I didn't see a colorful sky.

- They say the first thing you do during the new year sets the tone for the rest of the year. Knowing me, the first thing I did was to have an adventure - and I don't mind going on adventures for the whole year! Early in the morning, I decided to visit the Khast Imam Complex (near Chorsu or Gafur Gulom metro station but must walk for a bit). A complex with Islamic structures built from the 16th to 20th centuries, it does not only boast being one of the centers of Islam in Tashkent, but it also boasts having the copy of the oldest surviving Qur'an in the world, the Usman Qur'an (probably written in the 8th century). However, I probably came at a wrong time because the original manuscript was not present (perhaps it's being restored), and one of the official replicas was displayed instead. It normally is placed inside the Muyi Mobarak Madrasa; it's a small building at the courtyard and also functions as a small Islamic museum.    

Barakhan Madrasa at the Khast Imam Complex, builti n the 1500s.

Khast Imam Mosque, this one is more recent, only built in 2007.

(Copy of the) Usman Qur'an, inside the Muyi Mobarak Madrasa.

Various Qur'ans, translated in different languages.

Antique Qur'ans, some dating as far back as the 12th century!

Main hall of the Muyi Mobarak Madrasa.

- One thing that people may be interested to do in Tashkent is a metro station tour. I did this in Almaty as well, but Uzbekistan's metro stations are the first in the whole region, adding more historical weight to their existence. The designs of the metro stations appear more elaborate than the ones in Almaty as well. Some of the most ornate metro stations are the Kosmonavtlar (space/cosmonaut themed), Mustaqillik Maydoni (marble and Soviet themed), Alisher Navoi (traditional Uzbek themed), and Paxtakor (traditional mosaic and cotton plant themed).  

Kosmonavtlar

It celebrates the achievements of the Soviet cosmonauts.

Paxtakor.

Mustaqillik Maydoni.

My favorite, Alisher Navoi. It is the favorite of most people too - and you could see how many people taking photos with the station.

- My family decided to drop by the mall that afternoon because we wanted to see how Uzbeks in Tashkent entertained themselves, especially on a holiday. We went to Tashkent City Mall, which is currently the largest all in Uzbekistan, and was only completed in 2021 (connected to the Paxtakor metro station; Paxtakor is connected to Alisher Navoi as it is an interchange station).  

Tashkent City Mall.

They were having some kind of light and music show with the Christmas tree at the atrium.

I love the look of the mall!

- The last agenda, for me at least, in Tashkent was to visit the Chorsu Bazaar (Chorsu metro station), which is right beside our hotel. It is the city's main local bazaar. Though the current Soveit-style structure was only built in 1980, the area as a market place has been around for centuries! It was also the only thing I did on the 2nd of January, and perhaps the last thing I did before preparing to go to the airport.

Chorus Bazaar interior.

To me, it looks like some kind of yurt.

- Leaving Tashkent was a strange feeling. It didn't only mean leaving Tashkent, or Uzbekistan, but that also meant the end of our whole journey in Central Asia. I honestly was a bit glad to leave because I did miss the tropics (while the tropics aren't blazing hot yet) and I missed things that were familiar to me. At the same time, it also meant a day closer to "reality" because it meant going back to work in a few days time. (A lot more difficult when I don't have proper rest before work starts!) However, a part of me is telling me that I will still have one last hurrah - because Tashkent is NOT yet the end of my adventures for this vacation!! Since we were flying with AirAsia out of Tashkent, this meant a chance to pass by Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

** Check out my other adventures in Central Asia and Malaysia here!

KAZAKHSTAN

Part 1: Ascension Cathedral, Shymbulak, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 2: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, Kolsay Lake - here 

Part 3: First President Park, Kok Tobe, Museum, Metro Stations - here

KYRGYZSTAN

Part 1: Ala-Too Square and Museum, Souvenir Shopping - here 

Part 2: Issyk-Kul, Konorchek Canyon, Burana Tower - here

TAJIKISTAN

Part 1: Iskanderkul Lake, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 2: Hisor Fortress and Dushanbe City Tour - here

UZBEKISTAN

Part 1: Tashkent - Amir Timur Square, Broadway - here

Part 2: Samarkand - Gur-e Amir, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 3: Samarkand - Registan, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, Hazrat Khizr Mosque - here

Part 4: Samarkand - Ulugh Beg Observatory, Afrasiyab Archaeological Museum, Ishratxona - here

Part 5: Bukhara - Lyab-i Hauz and Surroundings - here

Part 6: Bukhara - Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chor Minor, Po-i Kalyan - here

MALAYSIA     

Part 1: MICHELLE YEOH!, Petronas, Little India, Chinatown, Kwai Chai Hong, Jamek Mosque, Pasar Seni - here

Part 2: Batu Caves, Putrajaya, KL Tower - here      

Uh-mazing Uzbekistan!! (Part 6): Beyond Bukhara's Bubble of History!

- December 29-30, 2025, Monday to Tuesday.

- The coziness of Bukhara's historical center is just a tourist comfort zone. While there are plenty of important historical sites standing side by side just around the Lyab-i Hauz area, Bukhara does boast a lot of grander historical spots. The good new is that most of these other places are still around the city as well, so they may be a bit of a walk from the Lyab-i Hauz area, or a short car ride away.

- If Samarkand has its Registan, for me, the main attraction in Bukhara is the Ark of Bukhara. It was built in the 5th century as an elevated and fortified city, and the Shaybanids further shaped the Ark in the 16th century. The palace and other government offices were located in the Ark. Now, the Ark contains remnants of its former glory, that is, a vast archaeological site, with some intact parts of the royal buildings such as the coronation hall.

Ark of Bukhara. See those impressive walls??

Ark entrance.

Coronation hall. And yes, you can pay to rent a sultan's costume for a few minutes, but bring your own camera. The person manning the booth can help you take photos.

The throne.

Ark walls.

Ruins of an old mosque at the archaeological site.

View of the Kalyan Complex from the Ark.

- Across the Ark is the Bolo Hauz Mosque. It was built in the 1700s and appears different from other mosques because of its decorative wooden columns outside the main iwan or gate. These columns were actually added only in the 1900s as additional support.

Bolo Hauz Mosque.

Details of the columns.

Mosque interior.

Bukhara Tower at the premises of the Bolo Hauz Mosque. It was a water tower from the 1920s! Now, it is an observation deck for tourists.

- Not far from the Bolo Hauz Mosque are two mausoleums. The Chashma Ayub Mausoleum is said to be the burial place of the Prophet Job ("Ayyub" in Arabic). It is said to be the site where Job was able to find miracle water. Whether this is true or not, its architectural style is also of interest because it was built in the Khwarezmi style, which is different from the usual architectural style used in Bukhara.

Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.

- A few steps away is the mausoleum of Ismail Samani. It is a 10th-century mausoleum and believed to be one of the earliest examples of Central-Asian Islamic architecture for the dead. While small in structure, its beige bricks also give it a different look compared to the colorful tiled buildings in the region.

Ismail Somoni Mausoleum.

Mausoleum's interior.

- I later rode a YandexGo car to the Chor Bakr Necropolis. This is quite far from the main city center, and takes around 30 minutes or so to reach. The necropolis was established in the 1500s by the Shaybanids, and is said to be the resting place of Muhammad's descendants, especially the four Abu-Bakrs (Chor Bakr means "the four Abu-Bakrs".) Being there felt like being in a city of the dead ("necropolis") as there were endless tombs in the complex. It was also difficult to pinpoint which tombed belonged to whom.

Almost empty.

To the tombs of the four Abu-Bakrs (and apparently, a lot more too.)

Now sure which of these are the most prominent ones, but they looked the nicest. There were no labels.

Another part of the necropolis.

Mosque, madrasa, and minaret of the necropolis.

- It took me a while to get a YandexGo back to the city, but I made it nonetheless. I spend the rest of the day taking me time wandering the historic center, and accompanying my dad to the Ark of Bukhara, who wasn't able to come with me earlier that day.

- The following day, I first visited the Chor Minor, or "Four Minarets". It is a short walk from the historic center. Built in the 1800s, this is actually a gatehouse of a now non-existent mosque. Therefore, the structure isn't actually four minarets, despite its name. It was said that the inspiration for this is the Char Minar in Telangana, India. This modest yet unusual building has rounded tops bearing symbols from different religions. One of the towers has a fake stork nest, in honor of the storks that used to always fly around the are and build nests on the towers.

Chor Minor.

From the front. The tower was closed so I couldn't go up.

See the bird? There were many birds flying around, but none of them, at least when I was there, were storks. I read somewhere that storks don't come anymore because their water supply was depleted.

- One complex in the historic center that Bukhara boasts is the Po-i Kalyan Complex. Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, it is one of the largest Islamic complexes in Central Asia, with the Kalyan Minaret being the tallest minaret in Bukhara and one of the tallest in the world. The Po-i Kalyan Complex is within the historic center, beyond Toki Telpakfurushon. It is near other trading domes, which are the Toki Zargaron and the Tim Abdullah Trading Dome.

Po-i Kalyan Complex.

Inside the mosque's courtyard.

Mihrab. This is the dent in the wall that serves as a marker to know where Mecca is. Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.

With the tower from inside the mosque.

Kalyan Tower.

Toki Zargaron.

Tim Abdullah Khan Trading Dome.

- At the opposite side of Toki Zargaron from where the Po-i Kalyan Complex is, stand two ornate madrasas that face each other. The Ulugh Beg Madrasa, built in the 1400s, is the oldest of Ulugh Beg's madrasas. Across it is the Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa, built in the 1600s. It is an unfinished madrasa because Abdulaziz Khan, from whom the mosque was named after, was dethroned as the madrasa was being built. Both these madrasas are now souvenir centers. 

Ulugh Beg Madrasa.

Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa.

Courtyard of the Ulugh Beg Madrasa.

Mihrab of the Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa.

Courtyard of the Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa.

Walked around the Lyab-i Hauz area for one last time before leaving Bukhara the next day.

I just noticed how cute the ducks' "house" was at the Lyab-i Hauz. It was made in perfect Central-Asian style !

- We called it a day quite early because of our extremely early flight back to Tashkent the following day. I could easily understand why tourists have such fascination with Bukhara. It's easy to go around, has plenty of interesting things to see and buy, and has good food choices. As much as I didn't want to leave Bukhara, the trip had to move forward because we also wanted to see more of Tashkent after our one-day peek before our visits to Samarkand and Bukhara!  

** Check out my other adventures in Central Asia and Malaysia here!

KAZAKHSTAN

Part 1: Ascension Cathedral, Shymbulak, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 2: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, Kolsay Lake - here 

Part 3: First President Park, Kok Tobe, Museum, Metro Stations - here

KYRGYZSTAN

Part 1: Ala-Too Square and Museum, Souvenir Shopping - here 

Part 2: Issyk-Kul, Konorchek Canyon, Burana Tower - here

TAJIKISTAN

Part 1: Iskanderkul Lake, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 2: Hisor Fortress and Dushanbe City Tour - here

UZBEKISTAN

Part 1: Tashkent - Amir Timur Square, Broadway - here

Part 2: Samarkand - Gur-e Amir, Souvenir Shopping - here

Part 3: Samarkand - Registan, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, Hazrat Khizr Mosque - here

Part 4: Samarkand - Ulugh Beg Observatory, Afrasiyab Archaeological Museum, Ishratxona - here

Part 5: Bukhara - Lyab-i Hauz and Surroundings - here

Part 7: Tashkent - Museums, Besh Qozon, Khast Imam Complex, Metro Stations - here

MALAYSIA     

Part 1: MICHELLE YEOH!, Petronas, Little India, Chinatown, Kwai Chai Hong, Jamek Mosque, Pasar Seni - here

Part 2: Batu Caves, Putrajaya, KL Tower - here