We are looking for Tashkent Uzbekistan loving locals!

Tashkent (by Sardorbek Usmonov)

Just like in 2019, next year we will keep expanding to less-known but maybe even more interesting capitals in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and The Middle-East.

Why ? In many of “our” cities, an overload of tourists is becoming a problem for locals. We personally think the best solution to the “overtourism” problem would be moving tourism from cities that “everybody” is going to, to little visited cities that can actually use more tourists. Like Tashkent!

Some of the added benefits of moving tourism to “unknown” countries:

• Travelers learn about a culture that is often misunderstood or unknown. We are convinced more intercultural understanding leads to a more peaceful world.
• Putting money in the pockets of local entrepreneurs and help develop the local economy

In Central Asia, the first city we will expand to is Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan!

Tashkent market (by Carlos Morales)

So, why Tashkent?

We don’t know people who have actually been there, so at this moment our knowledge is limited to what we read online… We are super fascinated and are really excited that we will visit soon (April, probably) to meet the team who will make Spotted by Locals Tashkent!

Uzbekistan has just announced an expanded list of countries whose citizens can visit without a visa and who can apply through the electronic system. Now seems to be the perfect time to go :)

A few interesting facts about the capital of Uzbekistan:

• Tashkent has an impressive 2.4 million inhabitants
• The city is more than 2200 years old
• There’s just one 5 star hotel (The Hyatt)
• Tashkent has a 375 meter high TV tower – one of the tallest in the world
• Tashkent houses one of the oldest written copies of the quran
• Much of the city was destroyed by a 1966 earthquake and rebuilt in just 3 years
• Uzbekistan has one of the richest circus traditions in the world

Bazaar Chorsu market (by Dainius Babilas)

We’re looking for Tashkent loving locals!

Where do locals drink their coffee? Where’s that hidden cafeteria where office workers have lunch? Where can we find the newest contemporary art on display? What do Uzbeks who live in the capital do in the weekend?

We have no idea! There is so little information available online, and even fewer paper travel guides (which would probably be outdated)… We want to change this!

Do you live in Tashkent and would you like to open up your city by sharing your favorite spots with travelers who come to visit your city, please apply here: https://www.spottedbylocals.com/become-a-spotter/

Do you know people in Tashkent? Please share the link of this article with them! Any other thoughts about Tashkent or did we get anything wrong in this article? Please get in touch via tashkent@spottedbylocals.com