5 Reasons to Visit Uzbekistan in Winter
Узбекистан — это замечательное направление для путешествия в новогодние праздники и зимой в целом. Мы подготовили детальную подборку аргументов в пользу поездки, а также расскажем, как разнообразить свой отдых и чем заняться туристам в этот волшебный период. Узнайте о лучших местах для посещения, праздничных мероприятиях и уникальных традициях, которые сделают вашу новогоднюю поездку незабываемой.
SKI RESORT VACATIONS
People come to Uzbekistan for the food, sights, and picturesque nature, but also for skiing holidays. The latter can be fully enjoyed in the Chimgan Mountains, where you can ski or snowboard. Winter sports are also available in Beldersay and Yangiyul. The slopes in Chimgan are convenient, mostly suitable for beginners and for experienced athletes to refine their technique. However, the descents in Beldersay can be challenging even for professional skiers.
The pride of the region is the Amirsay resort, opened in 2019, located 65 km from the capital. The area offers everything needed for a full-fledged vacation: a park hotel with direct access to the slopes, shops, and restaurants serving national and European cuisine. Tourist police operate throughout the season, and medical assistance is available. Skiers have access to 15 km of slopes, skiing infrastructure, a modern snowmaking system, and European-quality equipment. Visitors are served by an 8-person gondola lift and a 4-person chairlift. In winter, the mountains attract not only skiers but also fans of mountaineering, rock climbing, paragliding, and hang gliding. Many aim to visit the Kashkadarya region to admire Baysun from a bird’s-eye view – a wild and mountainous area seemingly lost in textured snowy landscapes. A mountain trip also offers the chance to visit highland villages that have preserved their Central Asian character. One such place is the Nanai kishlak, known as the Pearl of the Tien Shan, situated at an altitude of 900 meters.
The pride of the region is the Amirsay resort, opened in 2019, located 65 km from the capital. The area offers everything needed for a full-fledged vacation: a park hotel with direct access to the slopes, shops, and restaurants serving national and European cuisine. Tourist police operate throughout the season, and medical assistance is available. Skiers have access to 15 km of slopes, skiing infrastructure, a modern snowmaking system, and European-quality equipment. Visitors are served by an 8-person gondola lift and a 4-person chairlift. In winter, the mountains attract not only skiers but also fans of mountaineering, rock climbing, paragliding, and hang gliding. Many aim to visit the Kashkadarya region to admire Baysun from a bird’s-eye view – a wild and mountainous area seemingly lost in textured snowy landscapes. A mountain trip also offers the chance to visit highland villages that have preserved their Central Asian character. One such place is the Nanai kishlak, known as the Pearl of the Tien Shan, situated at an altitude of 900 meters.
MILD WINTER AND NO LANGUAGE BARRIER
Traveling in winter has several advantages. For instance, the absence of large crowds of tourists allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, truly experience the country, and get the most out of your trip.
Uzbekistan has a mild winter. Temperatures rarely drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius, and during the day, the air can warm up to 10-12 degrees, making sightseeing tours genuinely comfortable. There is no significant language barrier: most people speak Russian and will assist tourists in any situation. Visitors are cherished in the country and always warmly welcomed.
Uzbekistan has a mild winter. Temperatures rarely drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius, and during the day, the air can warm up to 10-12 degrees, making sightseeing tours genuinely comfortable. There is no significant language barrier: most people speak Russian and will assist tourists in any situation. Visitors are cherished in the country and always warmly welcomed.
WINTER SPORTS
The capital boasts the Humo Arena ice palace, the Ice City sports and entertainment complex, and the Ice Avenue ice rink. These venues host official matches and competitions in hockey, figure skating, curling, and short track speed skating. Outside of sporting events, the facilities are open to the public and available for New Year celebrations.
Families can visit Ice City, where snow is maintained year-round. Here, you can ski, sled, and even enjoy snowball fights.
The Humo Arena ice palace will impress even the most seasoned sports fans with its size, architectural design, technical equipment, and multifunctionality. The venue, which accommodates up to 12,000 spectators, is shaped like the wing of the mythical Humo bird of happiness.
Ice Avenue rink offers all the amenities for both beginners and professional skaters. Experienced coaches are available to help anyone learn to skate, and after an active session, visitors can unwind in a cozy café.
Families can visit Ice City, where snow is maintained year-round. Here, you can ski, sled, and even enjoy snowball fights.
The Humo Arena ice palace will impress even the most seasoned sports fans with its size, architectural design, technical equipment, and multifunctionality. The venue, which accommodates up to 12,000 spectators, is shaped like the wing of the mythical Humo bird of happiness.
Ice Avenue rink offers all the amenities for both beginners and professional skaters. Experienced coaches are available to help anyone learn to skate, and after an active session, visitors can unwind in a cozy café.
WARMING CUISINE
How about replacing Olivier salad and herring under a fur coat with plov and flatbreads, or the meat dish Naryn, which Uzbek families love to prepare for the New Year? On New Year's Eve, you can visit a teahouse or be invited to a lavish feast by hospitable Uzbeks.
Uzbekistan boasts a rich national cuisine: these dishes can be enjoyed everywhere, from simple cafes to upscale restaurants. Hot, aromatic, and moderately spicy dishes are perfect for warming up after a city tour, a nature walk, a festive feast, or a gathering with friends.
Uzbek cuisine is not only about plov but also includes the delicate samsa, chuchvara, and hearty shurpa. Authentic plov is cooked over an open fire, and each region has its own recipe. For example, locals recommend eating Fergana plov in winter: it is hearty, with a slight addition of chili pepper, and helps warm you up after skiing or a long walk. While many are familiar with plov, not everyone knows the other dishes.
Mastava is a thick rice soup with vegetables in lamb broth, usually served with meatballs. Chuchvara is a tasty and filling dish where dumplings are served in a fragrant and rich broth. Shurpa is a lamb soup. The broth is served with lamb meat and fresh vegetables.
Uzbekistan boasts a rich national cuisine: these dishes can be enjoyed everywhere, from simple cafes to upscale restaurants. Hot, aromatic, and moderately spicy dishes are perfect for warming up after a city tour, a nature walk, a festive feast, or a gathering with friends.
Uzbek cuisine is not only about plov but also includes the delicate samsa, chuchvara, and hearty shurpa. Authentic plov is cooked over an open fire, and each region has its own recipe. For example, locals recommend eating Fergana plov in winter: it is hearty, with a slight addition of chili pepper, and helps warm you up after skiing or a long walk. While many are familiar with plov, not everyone knows the other dishes.
Mastava is a thick rice soup with vegetables in lamb broth, usually served with meatballs. Chuchvara is a tasty and filling dish where dumplings are served in a fragrant and rich broth. Shurpa is a lamb soup. The broth is served with lamb meat and fresh vegetables.
FESTIVE SPIRIT
Why not celebrate the New Year by the main Christmas tree in Tashkent? The New Year’s tree in the capital will be real, richly decorated, and tall. The tree installed in Tashkent last year ranked among the top three tallest in the CIS region. This year, they intend to repeat the feat. Tashkent is also decorated for the New Year, just like other world capitals. From late November to mid-January, festive illuminations light up the city streets, and New Year installations are set up in central squares and public places.
During the New Year holidays, festive celebrations, theatrical and circus performances, and contests take place. New Year’s markets also open, where you can purchase various souvenirs, textile products, jewelry, tableware, sweets, and much more.
During the New Year holidays, festive celebrations, theatrical and circus performances, and contests take place. New Year’s markets also open, where you can purchase various souvenirs, textile products, jewelry, tableware, sweets, and much more.