7 must-see places in Uzbekistan

1. Lake Borsa Kelmas (not to be confused with another island of the same name in the Aral Sea)

Deep Lake Borsa Kelmas is located on the Ustyurt Plateau, and the sea was part of the ancient Tethys Sea 30 million years ago. Currently, the Karakum, Kyzylkum, Ustryurt plateau and this lake have been replaced by the sea. The name of the lake corresponds to the fact that it is very dangerous to approach it - you will encounter the unfrozen part of the river with many ravines and as little salt as possible. But, according to many free-riders, if you wear rubber boots and make it safely through the swamp, you can climb up to the top of the lake, where the ground is as hard as bedrock, and across the lake he can go for a walk. Even walking on water! to this, in very, very salty water.

2. Paltov river valley

The word Paltov means "iron mountain". Iron ore has been mined in the valley since ancient times. The Paltov River Valley is 100 km from Tashkent and has several places to visit. the tourist route starts from the 38-meter Paltov waterfall. A little above it there is a birch grove, where you can meet animals of the Red Book. The Paltov canon deserves special attention, it has amazing scenic reliefs that remind us of the greatness of nature and image. One of the biggest impressions is a trip along the Paltov River. Paleolithic ancient people lived here, and it is known as Obi-Rakhmat artificial caves. A little above there is another wonderful place - a cave. It is here in April, when the tulips bloom all over the valley. Among tulips, you can find Kaufman tulip, Greig tulip and other types.

3. Varakhsha

If you go to Bukhara, be sure to visit Varakhsha, the ancient city of Bukhara that ruled Bukhara until the Arab conquest. Varakhsha is located in the west of Bukhara, half an hour's drive, 100 ha. takes up space. Studying the frescoes of the Varakhsha Palace shows that the city existed from the 5th century to the 11th century AD. According to scientists, life in Varakhsha has stopped due to a lack of water. Once upon a time, this place was equal to Bukhara. Today, Varakhsha is a ruin, and it is only natural that it is a reminder of the distant past.

4. Sitorai Mohi-hosa - "Palace equal to the stars and the moon."

The residence of Said Olimkhan, the last emir of Bukhara, above the city. Amir Olimkhan ruled Bukhara until the Red Army conquered it in 1920. The building was provided by two Russian engineers, and the best craftsmen were engaged in its decoration. Such an unusual combination of architectural styles is not found anywhere else. Currently, the residence building houses a museum of applied arts. the basis for this is the palace building itself, of course. It was from here that the last emir of Bukhara had to flee to Afghanistan.

5. Fozilman Lake (Sarbast)

At 1,650 meters above sea level (that's five times higher than the Eiffel Tower), in the heart of the Nurota Mountains lies the magnificent Fozilman Lake. It receives water from a single spring and is especially beautiful in late spring. Unfortunately, bathing in it is not recommended, but the reflection of the sky in it (especially the starry one) allows you to see a very unpleasant situation.

6. Chilpiq-castle

43 kilometres south of Nukus, on a high hill between Chilpiq-Kala. This place, a religious place of the Zoroastrians, belongs to the II-IV and IX-XI centuries of our era. Zoroastrians took out the dead bodies here. Various animals and birds were taken from the body, and the bones were placed in a special container and buried in the ground. Those bones are still preserved in the 1-meter-high Chilpiq-Kala.

7. Zomin Reserve

Zomin - the reserve of Uzbekistan is the oldest state reserve, the People's Park of Uzbekistan was opened in 1978. Today, the area of Zomin National Park is more than 24,000 hectares. The garden is located in Jizzakh region. Here you can come across very beautiful natural scenery. The reserve has a special zone for tourism - you can be with nature or take great selfies.