Uzbekistan comes alive in spring, making it the ideal season to visit. With blooming landscapes, mild temperatures, and vibrant cultural festivals, it offers a perfect mix of nature and tradition. This is a new article by our author Sophie Ibbotson. You can also read her piece on why Uzbekistan is the new adventure hub of Central Asia via the link.
Sophie Ibbotson, Uzbekistan Tourism Ambassador to the UK,
@uzambassador,
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Spring is here, bringing with it a sense of hope and excitement as the Earth awakens from its winter slumber. Around the world, numerous cultures consider the Spring Equinox to mark the first official day of spring, whatever the weather is doing. In Uzbekistan and other Persian- and Turkic-speaking countries, 21 March is also Navruz, the traditional New Year celebration. If you are chomping at the bit for a spring getaway, here are just a few of the reasons that Uzbekistan should top your travel list.
Lively Navruz celebrations
The ancient festival of Navruz is celebrated nationwide in Uzbekistan, with public events as well as time shared with friends and family at home. As a tourist, you can see carnival-like processions on the streets of Samarkand, large outdoor concerts and dance performances in Termez, and a combination of smaller-scale shows and handicrafts exhibits at the Museum of Applied Arts in Tashkent.
Navruz is also the best opportunity to see kupkari, Uzbekistan’s answer to polo. Matches of this popular, energetic horse sport attract dozens of players and thousands of spectators, particularly in villages in Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions. The games aren’t often well advertised in the media, so ask a local friend or tour operator where and when they will be.
Don’t miss the chance to taste sumalak, the traditional dish made for Navruz. A thick paste made from wheat germ, it is cooked for hours until it becomes sweet. Preparing the sumalak is a communal event and you may well be asked to help with the stirring. Try as many different kinds as you can’ legend has it that tasting sumalak from many households is a path to happiness and good fortune in the year ahead.
Ideal for holiday weekends
This springtime is dotted with numerous religious holidays, from Eid al-Fitr and Passover, to Easter. Whatever your faith, if you have time off work and want to get away for a few days to celebrate with friends or family, you will find a warm welcome in multicultural Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is often described as the “Land of a Thousand Shrines” and the dazzling tiled mosques of Samarkand and Bukhara are among the most beautiful in the world. Bukhara is also home to one of the oldest Jewish populations; the attractive synagogue is in the Old City, just a few minutes’ walk away from Lyabi Hauz. There are also churches for all Christian denominations: the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is the largest place of worship for Orthodox Christians.
Cherry blossom and spring flowers
You don’t have to go to Japan to see the sakura, cherry blossom trees! Uzbekistan’s fruit blossoms are just as photogenic and even in the most scenic locations, you won’t have to battle with other photographers to get the best shots. The Fergana Valley is Uzbekistan’s agricultural heartland and the best region to see blossom. Yes, there are plenty of cherry trees, but the apricot and apple orchards are also covered with pink and white flowers, and as there is a variety of species, blossom season extends for a month or more.
Spring is also the best time for wildflowers in Uzbekistan. Tulips are native to Central Asia, as are poppies, and their orange-red flowers add streaks of colour to the hills and mountain sides. The national parks and protected areas of Jizzakh and Kashkadarya are prime locations to see many different species, and although you can enjoy them at a distance, the best option is to go hiking and see the flora up close.
Bright sunshine and warmer temperatures
The snow has melted from all but the highest mountain peaks, and the weather forecast for the weeks ahead is generally warm and sunny, especially during the day. These are optimal conditions for sightseeing in the Silk Road cities, but the climate is also now mild enough for hiking, picnicking, and homestays in tourist villages like Sentob and Hayat. Spending time in the countryside, the changing of the seasons is much more evident than in the cities, and you feel much closer to nature.
Last days of the ski season
If you haven’t yet had your fill of winter sports this year, the ski season in Uzbekistan has a few weeks left. The mountains in Tashkent Region are high enough – and the powder dry and fluffy enough – that even once the ski lifts stop at Amirsoy Mountain Resort, you can still go cross country skiing in the Tian Shan Mountains. Just make sure you ski or snowboard with a knowledgeable local guide to get the most out of the off-piste experience and do it safely.
Sweet soft fruits
As the weather warms up, one of the things I look forward to most is the first harvest of the new season’s fruits. First, there are the tiny wild strawberries scarcely bigger than a fingernail, sold in bowls by the side of the road and on market stalls. Then there are pink-purple raspberries, fat, glossy cherries, and mouthwateringly juicy apricots. Nothing beats having a spring breakfast in Uzbekistan, indulging in nature’s treasures. You can eat them by the handful, just as they are, but they are also delicious sprinkled on fresh yoghurt with a swirl of local honey for purely indulgent sweetness.
Use your spring vacation time to discover somewhere new. Uzbekistan’s spring traditions date back thousands of years, but as they have been shaped by so many different cultures, you will always find something familiar, a strong foundation to build rapport with your hosts. Spring is without doubt the most beautiful season in Uzbekistan, and as the days are warm and bright you will want to spend plenty of time outdoors, walking and appreciating the natural world as well as sightseeing in the cities.