Sometimes not the most obvious places hide many secrets. The capitals of the former Soviet republics are developing at an incredible pace, without losing the charm of the east. We found out what to go for and what to see in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan, Tashkent
The fourth most populous city (after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kyiv) in the CIS is Tashkent – a typical Soviet metropolis, with old city quarters. After a strong earthquake in the mid-60s, the city was completely rebuilt, and today it surprises not so much with its oriental flavor, but with an unimaginable pile of contradictions: the elongated windows of a Gothic Polish church, ceramic tiles with traditional ornaments of the Kukeldash madrasah, a Lutheran church designed by Benoit and the bell tower of St. -Assumption Cathedral – where else can you see such diversity. At the same time, the country’s best restaurants, museums and nightclubs are also located here, and for those who are tired of the metropolis, there is the beautiful Ugam-Chatkal National Park – it is only an hour and a half drive from the city.
Visa: up to 90 days not required
Flight: from 21,214 rub. for a direct flight www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 1300 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 3266 rub./day
Uzbekistan, Samarkand
For centuries, this oldest city in Central Asia was the main point of the Great Silk Road. The unique architecture of those times, the noisy colorful bazaars seem to have come from the poems of ancient poets. It will take several days to carefully examine all the historical sights of Samarkand. The main places of the old city are the Bibi-Khanym Cathedral Mosque, the Ak-Saray Mausoleum, the Namozgokh Mosque, the Khoja-Ahror Madrasah and the Hazrat-Khizr Mosque. Around the historical city center lies modern Samarkand with Soviet architecture, parks and wide avenues – a very well-kept modern city.
Visa: up to 90 days not required
Flight: from 30,589 rub. for a direct flight www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 1300 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 3266 rub./day
Tajikistan, Dushanbe
Surrounded by misty mountain peaks, Dushanbe is at once the cultural, economic and political center of the country. The long central street of the city is lined with tall trees between neoclassical high-rise buildings from the Soviet era. Inside, gray-bearded old men sip tea, and every now and then a peasant on a donkey passes by, it is not clear how he maneuvers between the flow of cars. In the city center there is a well-groomed park named after the poet Rudaki and the tallest flagpole in the world. The local Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments hosts musical evenings, but the main attraction of Dushanbe is located 26 km from the city – the ancient Gissar fortress.
Visa: up to 90 days not required
Flight: from 25,351 rub. for a direct flight www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 500 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 2900 rub./day
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
“Green” Bishkek amazes not so much with its architecture as with its energy. Bars and discos here intersect with monuments to Kyrgyz heroes, and kumiss is still easier to find than overseas Long Island. Traditional teahouses and gray-haired elders in colorful robes complete the picture. To enjoy the panoramic view of the city, it is worth climbing Mount Boz Peldek, which can be reached by public transport.
At the foot of the mountain there is a complex of ancient burials “Khan’s Graves”. The cemetery is famous primarily for the fact that one of the last rulers of this area, Solto Baytyk Kanaev, is buried here. The local population considers this place holy.
Visa: up to 90 days not required
Flight: from 15,054 rub. for a direct flight www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 700 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 2300 rub./day
Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
White marble palaces, golden domes and green parks have made modern Ashgabat one of the most amazing discoveries in Central Asia. The city is transforming at an incredible speed, perfectly combining traditional oriental flavor and a new European spirit. Lounge bars with views of the city’s quaint attractions have simply been added to the bustling bazaars. Stalin’s high-rise buildings and monuments (the Independence Monument and the Arch of Neutrality) are the first thing you see when you find yourself in Ashgabat, but to understand the history of the city, it is worth visiting the Carpet Museum and the National Museum.
Visa: $155 for 10 days, issued at the border at Ashgabat airport
Flight: from 22,543 rub. for a direct flight www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 700 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 2300 rub./day
Kazakhstan, Astana
Astana became the capital of Kazakhstan only in 1997, and since then, on the site of a provincial steppe city, a futuristic city of the future has grown.
Every year its horizon becomes more and more fantastic – wide avenues, multi-storey entertainment centers, concert halls and exhibition venues have appeared.
The city is divided into two parts by the Ishin River. The main attractions are located on the left bank: the symbol of Astana – the Baiterek Tower, the Nur Astana Mosque, Round Square, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Khazret Sultan Mosque, Khan Shatyr and other interesting places.
130 kilometers from Astana is the Kurgaldzhinsky Nature Reserve, where you can meet pink flamingos.
Visa: up to 90 days not required
Flight: from 24,044 rub. for a direct flight, from RUB 16,245. – for a flight with transfers. www.onetwotrip.com
Budget accommodation – from 500 rub./day, room in a 3* hotel – from 1500 rub./day
If you are looking for a place to stay while traveling, we recommend booking a hotel on OneTwoTrip.
