Expatriates Forums in Uzbekistan

Travelling to Uzbekistan: some questions

Writer-Ukraine — Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:11 am

Author: Writer-Ukraine

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:11 am

Hi,

I’m a 24 year-old British translator and editor, currently working in Kyiv, Ukraine. I’ve been planning a journey through the Caucasus and Central Asia for a couple of years – I’m writing a collection of travel stories - and it looks as if next spring I’ll finally have the time and money to make it happen.

I have a degree in Russian, and studied in Russia before moving to Ukraine, but I have always been captivated by the culture in the satellite states. I have read a fair amount about Uzbekistan, but haven’t found much information that is helpful for planning a journey.

So, my questions are:

- How easy/safe is it to move across the country, and across borders? How expensive/reliable are trains and marshrutki?

- What are the visa requirements for short-term, tourist stays?

- How widely is Russian spoken in towns and cities? Do people react to foreigners positively or negatively?

- How many expats are there, generally?

- What are Uzbekistan’s landmarks? – (not necessarily the biggest tourist attractions, but the places that best represent the country and its people).

- What is a realistic daily budget (two meals, transport and accommodation)?

Apologies if I’ve asked any questions that appear a hundred times on the forum. I’d be very grateful for any advice, ideas and information.

Thanks,

Jon

NIGHTLIFE IN UZBEKISTAN / UZBEKISTAN NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Uzbekistan Info — Thu May 10, 2007 3:32 am

Author: Uzbekistan Info

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:32 am

NIGHTLIFE IN UZBEKISTAN

GENERAL

Tashkent has a variety of theatres that show everything from European operas to traditional Uzbek dancing and music. The Navoi theatre, opposite the Tashkent Hotel, shows opera and ballet. The prices are low by Western standards; shows generally start at 6 pm. There is also a number of themed Western-style bars, restaurants and discos.

Tashkent is also well-known for having the best options for nightlife in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Whether you are looking for an all-night at one of the many modern dance clubs, or a quiet evening dining on fine cuisine. Get out and enjoy any of the restaurants providing diverse cuisine, from Spanish to Uzbek to Italian to Punjab. And then head to a high-tech club for all-night dancing to the latest music and eye popping light shows. Food and fun are at your fingertips!

PLACES TO UNWIND IN TASHKENT

From Dusk till Down
6, Bobur Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 150-0084

Gusto Mix Bar
C4 No 7/8, Amir Temur Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 120-3700

Basha Night Club
25, Kunaev Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 152-1415/ 5472

Diplomat Club
13th Floor,
Le Grande Plaza Hotel,
Tashkent
tel.: (+998 71) 120-5971

Emir Bar
24, Bukhara Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 132-0106

Jonny Wolker
60, Navoi Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 135-1830

Juliano
33, Bobur Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 152-6504

Kattakomba
Besh-Yogoch Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 152-3937

My Club
2,Shakhrisabz Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 133-9333

Shoh Night Club
(Shoh Hotel)
34, Oybek Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 152-5465/ 2965

Sky Club
14th Floor,
Hotel Le Grande Plaza,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 120-5970

SOHO
Opposite Le Grande Plaza Hotel (former Tata),
Shakhrisabskaya Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 133-0420

Takoma
(Malika Tashkent Hotel)
53a, Chulpon Ata Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 173-0203

Underground Club
Khadra,the Circus,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 144-8443

X-Track
2, Amir Temur Street,
Tashkent
Tel: (+998 71) 135-4052

FOOD & DINING IN UZBEKISTAN / UZBEKISTAN DINING GUIDE

Uzbekistan Info — Thu May 10, 2007 3:19 am

Author: Uzbekistan Info

Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:19 am

FOOD & DINING IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbek food is similar to that of the rest of Central Asia. During the summer and autumn, there is a wide variety of fruit: grapes, pomegranates, apricots – which are also dried and sold at other times of the year – and, dwarfing them all, mountains of honeydew and watermelons. Uzbeks pride themselves on the quality and variety of their bread. In general, hotel food shows a strong Russian influence. There are a number of restaurants that serve both European and Korean food (Stalin transported many Koreans from their home in the east of the former Soviet Union, believing them to be a security threat). There is a hard-currency restaurant at the top of the Hotel Uzbekistan in Tashkent that serves Chinese and Korean food. Beer, wine, vodka, brandy and are all widely available in restaurants.

National specialties

• Plov is the staple food for both every day and celebrations, and usually consists of chunks of mutton, shredded red and yellow carrot and rice fried in a cast iron or aluminum pot. There are dozens of variations of this dish.

• Shashlyk (skewered chunks of mutton barbecued over charcoal – kebabs – served with sliced raw onions).

• Lipioshka (rounds of unleavened bread) are served in restaurants and are often sold on street corners and make an appetising meal.

• Samsa (samosas) are also sold in the street, but the quality is variable.

• Manty are large boiled dumplings stuffed with meat.

• Shorpa is a meat and vegetable soup.

• Strogan is the local equivalent of Beef Stroganoff.

• Pirmeni originated in Ukraine and are small boiled dumplings of meat and vegetables, similar to ravioli, sometimes served in a vegetable soup.

National drinks

• Tea is the staple drink of Central Asia, and chai-khanas (tea houses) can be found almost everywhere in Uzbekistan, full of old men chatting the afternoon away with a pot of tea in the shade.

• Shampanski, sparkling wine.

• Kefir, a thick drinking yogurt, is often served with breakfast.

Tipping: It is usual to tip 5 to 10 per cent in restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Restaurants in international hotels usually include service in the bill.

SHOPPING IN UZBEKISTAN / UZBEKISTAN SHOPPING GUIDE

Uzbekistan Info — Wed May 09, 2007 11:53 am

Author: Uzbekistan Info

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:53 am

SHOPPING IN UZBEKISTAN

General

The best place to experience Central Asia is in the bazaars. The bazaars of Tashkent and Samarkand offer goods ranging from herbs and spices to Central Asian carpets. In the Alaiski Bazaar in Tashkent, it is possible to buy decorated Uzbek knives. Silk is still produced in the country and well-priced silks can be bought at large department stores. Many museums have small shops which sell a variety of modern reproductions and some original items. It is possible to buy carpets and embroidered wall hangings. Bukhara is famous for its gold embroidery, and visitors can buy elaborately embroidered traditional Uzbek hats. Visitors should be aware that it is illegal to export anything more than 100 years old or items which have a cultural significance.

Shopping hours

Food shops open 0800-1700, all others open 0900-1900.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Some banks open Sat 0900-1500.

Currency

Uzbek Sum (UZS) = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of UZS1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of UZS50, 25, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 tiyn.

Currency exchange

Tourists and businesspeople without special status have to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable. All bills are normally settled in cash. It is illegal to change money on the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureaux in major hotels will change at the official rates.

Credit & debit cards

Acceptable in some of the major hotels in tourist centres. Uzbekistan has said that it intends to introduce its own Visa card in the near future.

Traveller's cheques

Limited acceptance.

Currency restrictions

The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but should be declared on arrival. Travellers importing sums in excess of US$1000 may be subject to a body search. The export of foreign currency is permitted. Travellers who have imported sums in excess of US$2000 are required to provide proof of lawful exchange into Sum, otherwise a fine of 30 per cent of the amount imported will be payable. The import and export of local currency is unlimited.