Unique Things To Do In Tashkent

On my journey to this beautiful city, I made a few observations about this beautiful place and its interesting hidden sights that beckons a curious traveler like me to explore.

Tashkent is a city where old remnants of the Silk Road intertwine with modern marvels to create a place of unique culture, tradition, and history. While the city is famed for its grand monuments and opulent Islamic architecture, there exists another side—a more hidden, quieter version of Tashkent that I got to see. A version that invites curious souls to discover the city’s lesser-known corners, filled with art, culture, nature, and untold stories.

With a guided tour of Tashkent, I explored the city’s highlights as well as hidden gems. This list gives the best offbeat gems to explore in Tashkent.

1. The Ming Urik Museum

The Ming Urik Museum offers the captivating history of Uzbekistan's rich history as a trading center. Translating as "The Golden Apricot," this museum is named after the region’s legendary orchards and showcases the ancient history of Tashkent and its surrounding areas. Exhibits range from palaeolithic artifacts to objects from the Silk Road. All the while, I was surrounded by the museum’s serene gardens - it’s a perfect escape for those seeking both history and tranquility.

2. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral

There are five churches in the city of Tashkent, and the most impressive of them all is the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. The cathedral, with its neo-gothic spires fused with Soviet architecture, is a testament to the city’s diverse spiritual fabric. Its delicate but gorgeous stained glass streams soft light, and the grand interior offers a perfect space for a serene and spiritual retreat. It is among the best offbeat places to visit in Tashkent.

3. The Eco Park

For nature lovers, Eco Park is an oasis in the heart of Tashkent. This park offers a refreshing escape from the city’s urban landscape with its walking trails, vast lawns, and pristine water bodies. It's the best place for people-watching in Tashkent. While strolling down the long pathways in the evening, I saw children playing, families gathering, and couples strolling beneath tall, leafy trees. The park is also a center for sustainable living, often hosting workshops and activities related to eco-consciousness.

4. Visit The Seattle Peace Park of Tashkent

The story behind the now-neglected Seattle Peace Park is very interesting. It was a gift from the Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Program and featured monuments and sculptures that symbolize peace and international unity. One such characteristic is the tiles were made in the 1980s by schoolchildren from Seattle. I visited this park (locally known as th Babur's Park) in the morning and saw that it was very much neglected. Though there were some renovations efforts, it is now just an abandoned park with an interesting history. Today, its derelict state reminds us that peace might be easier to achieve, but it is harder to maintain.

5. Traditional Suzani Embroidery Masterclass

While weaving is not my forte, I took a traditional Suzani embroidery class to experience the arts and crafts of Uzbekistan. This cherished traditional art offers a way to learn the handicraft culture of the country, allowing you to delve deeper into the local lifetyle. There are many spots that teach the traditional way of Suzani embroidery, which you can visit on a guided tour. I found a local guide online who showed me these hidden gems through tourhq.

6. Qoʻyliq Farmers' Market

Located on the outskirts of Tashkent, the Qo’yliq Farmers’ Market offers everything from fresh plov, manti, roasted chicken and shurpas to vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, and household items. This is the spot that locals frequent to stock up on fresh produce, spices, textiles, and handmade goods. This place is among the best hidden places to visit in Tashkent. I went there very early in the morning when the stock had just arrived and tasted the best pumpkin manti sold on the second line near greens and fish corners.

Pro Tip: If you want a real taste of the Uzbek life, don’t forget to haggle a little.

7. Tashkent Metro Stations

The understated masterpiece of Soviet-style designs, these metro stations not only connect the city through an interweaving network but also provide a feast for the eyes of the passengers. Adorned with mosaics, grand chandeliers, and sculptures, these stations offer a journey through time that anyone will enjoy. The metro is not just a mode of transport—it’s an underground art gallery where each stop has a new visual story in store.

8. Monument of Victims of Political Repression (with the Museum)

The Monument of Victims of Political Repression is a somber yet important place for reflection that everyone must visit on their journey to Tashkent. Situated in a serene part of Tashkent, this monument commemorates those who suffered during Uzbekistan’s turbulent Soviet past. The accompanying museum takes visitors through the dark chapters of political repression with photographs and documents that tell the stories of individuals who were wrongfully imprisoned, tortured, or executed.