Description
Book SynopsisWritten and updated by expert authors who have extensive experience of living and working in Central Asia, this new, fully updated third edition of Bradt's Uzbekistan remains the definitive and only standalone practical travel guide to this increasingly liberal destination - central Asia's most populous country and the heart of the Silk Road. Offering more detail for independent travellers than any other guidebook, it includes first-hand descriptions of everything from UNESCO world heritage sites and the world's best collection of Russian avant-garde art, to riding across deserts by camel and cooking plov. The quintessential Silk Route destination, Uzbekistan is opening up to tourism, easing visa regulations, encouraging family-owned guesthouses, building new railways (including a tunnel to the Fergana Valley) and introducing high-speed trains. With the passing of the post-Soviet strongman Islam Karimov and the election of a more reformist leader, there is an air of change about the country. This new edition includes expanded coverage of hiking, details of new entertainment such as the sound and light show in the Registan in Samarkand, and lots of new practical information, ranging from the increasing availability of ATMs to efforts to develop tourism, visa requirements, availability of SIM cards, haggling for taxis, access to museums and booking accommodation. New maps have also been added and existing maps revised and expanded as appropriate. Whether you're interested in culture, trekking, historical sites, archaeology and architecture, seeing endless deserts or the majestic mountainscapes of the Tien Shan range, or simply fascinated by the golden road to Samarkand and the equally famous Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Khiva, Bradt's Uzbekistan is the ideal companion.
Trade Review'Author Sophie and Max Lovell-Hoare manage to succesfully balance Bradt's commitment to the bigger picture while cramming in the on-the-ground detail that you'd need to safely self-drive down the Golden Road.' Wanderlust Magazine 'Packed with detail and historical background' Wanderlust Magazine
Table of ContentsIntroduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture, Sport Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Nightlife, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Opening times, Media and communications, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Tashkent History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Tashkent Chapter 4 Fergana Valley and the East Namangan, Andijan, Fergana, Margilan, Kokand Chapter 5 Samarkand and Dzhizak Provinces Samarkand, Dzhizak Chapter 6 Qashqa Darya and Surkhan Darya Provinces Shakhrisabz, Karshi, Boysun, Denau, Termez Chapter 7 Navoi Province Navoi, Karmana, Nurata, Lake Aidarkul and around Chapter 8 Bukhara Province Bukhara, Gijduvan Chapter 9 Khorezm Province Urgench, Khiva, The desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm Chapter 10 Republic of Karakalpakstan Nukus, Moynaq Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Information Index
