Independent Square
Located in Tashkent, Independent Square is one of Uzbekistan’s most significant public squares and a symbol of freedom and independence, as well as a land of hope. It has witnessed many pivotal historical moments. Covering 12 hectares, the square is a source of immense pride for Uzbek people, embodying their deep reverence and affection.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Bibi-Khanym Mosque is the largest mosque in Central Asia and one of the grandest Islamic mosques worldwide. Excavated ruins show it spans approximately 100×140 meters—far larger than the contemporaneous Sultan Hassan Mosque (60×120 meters). The mosque also features distinct Gothic architectural elements from the West.
#SCO Summit Same Stay# Mingyon Liya Hotel Ulugbek Stars, Samarkand (Local 5-Star)
Situated in Samarkand, this hotel is an ideal choice for your journey. All distinctive rooms are equipped with ironing facilities, in-room safes, and air conditioning for a more thoughtful stay. For guests’ drinking needs, electric kettles and coffee/tea makers are provided. Bathrooms come with slippers and hair dryers to help you unwind after a long day. The hotel’s leisure facilities are designed to deliver a colorful, luxurious accommodation experience.
Sahid Zarafshan Hotel, Bukhara
The hotel is only 4 km from Bukhara International Airport, with popular attractions including the Emir’s Summer Palace, Historic Centre of Bukhara, and Old Jewish Cemetery of Bukhara all within short distance. Nearby sights also include Balyand Mosque, Zindan, and Kosh Madrasah. Bathrooms are stocked with slippers for a home-away-from-home feel. Both indoor and outdoor swimming pools are available for guests to relax and relieve stress.
Shamsan Airport Hotel, Tashkent
Located in Tashkent, the hotel offers easy taxi access to the Yangiobod Weekend Flea Market. Rooms are fitted with ironing facilities, in-room safes, and air conditioning for all guests’ convenience. Electric kettles and coffee/tea makers cater to drinking needs, while bathrooms provide slippers and hair dryers. The on-site bar is a cozy spot to unwind. In-room dining service is available for guests who wish to enjoy meals with music in private. If you prefer off-site dining, nearby recommended options include Lanzhou Lamian (fast casual), Pasternak Gastrobar Kovaleva i Gulyamova (Western cuisine), and other local eateries.
Night Tour: One Thousand and One NightsWorld
Registan Square Light Show, Samarkand
Eternal City, Samarkand
Bukhara Old Town Rooftop Sunset Dinner & Night Tour – Kalon Mosque
BRIGHT PEARL of Central Asia: Mysterious Uzbekistan Exploration
Flight reference: GJxxxx, flight duration approx. 5h35m
Meals: In-flight breakfast / Local specialty / Asian Plov Center
Accommodation: Shamsan Hotel / Regal Stay Hotel or equivalent, Tashkent
Assemble at the airport and board your international flight to Tashkent, capital of the “Silk Road Pearl” Uzbekistan. Upon arrival, meet your warm local Chinese-speaking guide for a welcome reception.
Enjoy local specialty lunch after arrival.
Visit White Mosque of the Capital (approx. 30 mins interior visit): Built in summer 2013 in traditional Oriental style, it stands out from older brick mosques with its white marble decor, dazzling under clear skies with its turquoise dome seemingly melting into the horizon. It can hold over 2,400 worshippers. The structure includes an open front terrace and a domed hall with a gilded mihrab; semi-circular niches on the walls indicate the direction of Mecca, inscribed with verses from the Quran.
Tour National Amir Timur Museum (approx. 40 mins interior visit; replaced with alternative attractions if closed for maintenance, on Mondays/month-end): Housed in a historic building, the museum displays precious cultural relics including portraits of Amir Timur, his battle robes, weapons, and other related artifacts.
Stroll through Tashkent Independent Square (approx. 30 mins): Uzbekistan’s most important square covers 12 hectares as a symbol of freedom and independence. The white Senate Building (exterior) sits to the west, and the Weeping Mother Monument to the north (approx. 15 mins visit). A must-visit for tourists and a favorite leisure spot for locals, the square features the Independence Monument erected in 1991, representing Uzbekistan’s sovereignty.
Ride the Tashkent Metro (approx. 20 mins): Construction began in the late 1960s, sharing design roots with Soviet-era Moscow metro. Step into this “underground world” and feel transported to the USSR era—each station boasts unique decor with marble, granite, glass, art ceramics, carved alabaster, and other ornaments, making it an underground art museum.
Stop by Tashkent Cosmonauts Monument (approx. 10 mins): Erected in 1984 to honor Uzbek-born scholars, scientists, and astronauts. The space-themed memorial celebrates human achievements in space exploration, including Vladimir Dzhanibekov, a Soviet cosmonaut born in the Bostanlik District of Tashkent region, who received the title Hero of the Soviet Union twice. His statue stands near a metro entrance, a highlight of Tashkent’s sightseeing route.
Savor local plov at the World’s Largest Asian Plov Center: Plov is Uzbekistan’s national banquet dish, served to honored guests and at celebrations such as weddings and births.
Climb Tashkent TV Tower for sunset views (interior visit with admission included): At 375 meters, it is the tallest structure in Central Asia. Construction took over 6 years, completed and opened on January 15, 1985, as a symbol of Uzbekistan’s high-tech and cultural prowess.
Transfer to hotel for rest.
Day 2: Tashkent → Samarkand (approx. 4h drive)
Meals: Hotel buffet breakfast / Chinese group lunch / Homestay specialty dinner
Accommodation: Mingyon Liya Hotel Ulugbek Stars or equivalent, Samarkand
After breakfast, take a coach to Samarkand Old Town, the origin of the One Thousand and One Nightsfairy tales. As one of Central Asia’s oldest cities and a key Silk Road hub, it is known as the “Athens of Central Asia”. For 2,500 years, influences from India, Persia, Turkic regions, and China have converged here, leaving behind rich cultural heritage. Known as the “Crossroads of World Civilizations”, the city was built into a magnificent capital by savvy Sogdian merchants. “Samarkand” means “fertile land” in Uzbek; ancient Chinese records refer to it as “Kangju”. It is Uzbekistan’s second-largest city, a renowned cultural and tourism center, and a “Pearl of the Ancient Silk Road”. The entire old town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Enjoy local lunch upon arrival.
Tour Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum (approx. 40 mins; camera fee approx. 40,000 UZS applies on-site): Built during the Timurid era, it was originally commissioned by Timur for his grandson Muhammad Sultan, whom he intended as his heir before the young man died on campaign. Timur himself was later buried here. Legend has it that Timur left a will warning that moving his coffin would bring war—coincidentally, the Soviet archaeological team transported his remains to Moscow the day before Nazi Germany invaded the USSR, triggering a war that claimed nearly 20 million lives.
Special Activity: Uzbek Folk Homestay (approx. 2h): Learn to make authentic Uzbek plov under the guidance of local chefs—prepare rice, carrots, lamb/beef, and flaxseed oil in a large cauldron. Interact with locals to learn about their customs, sing and dance with hospitable hosts, and taste the plov you helped prepare.
Special Arrangement: Evening Tour of Registan Square (free exploration approx. 180 mins): Located in central Samarkand, “Registan” means “sandy place”. This grand complex was built between the 15th–17th centuries, comprising three madrasas: Ulugh Beg Madrasa (1417–1420, left) — Ulugh Beg was a medieval scholar, astronomer, poet, and philosopher; Tilla-Kari Madrasa (“gilded”, 1646–1660, center); and Sher-Dor Madrasa (“lion-bearing”, 1619–1636, right). The buildings are majestic, with glittering interiors. Ulugh Beg Madrasa’s main gate and colorful dome are decorated with ceramic tiles; its original dome was damaged by earthquake and replaced with a 13-meter-high, 13-meter-diameter metal dome. These were leading Muslim seminaries of the Middle Ages—Ulugh Beg Madrasa was among the best in the 15th century, where Ulugh Beg himself lectured, making it a center of secular scholarship. Though built in different eras, the three madrasas form a harmonious masterpiece of medieval Central Asian architecture. Before the 14th–15th centuries, this was a covered commercial market where six major streets intersected, built by Timur’s wife Turkan Aka. Under Ulugh Beg’s order, it was renamed “Gate Market” and rebuilt on a large scale.
Watch the Registan Square Light Show (approx. 30 mins) and immerse yourself in a real-life One Thousand and One Nightsscene.
Return to hotel for rest.
Day 3: Samarkand
Meals: Hotel buffet breakfast / Local specialty lunch / Dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Mingyon Liya Hotel Ulugbek Stars or equivalent, Samarkand
After breakfast, visit Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis (approx. 60 mins interior visit): Built in the 14th–15th centuries, it consists of 13 mausoleums and a mosque. “Shah-i-Zinda” means “King of the Living”, and it houses tombs of Samarkand’s rulers and their families. The structures are dominated by cyan tones and decorated with colored ceramic tiles. The most prominent tomb belongs to Qusam ibn Abbas, cousin of Prophet Muhammad. Tombs of Timur’s wife Tumag-Aka and niece Tulkun-Aka are also located here.
Enjoy local specialty lunch.
Tour Ulugh Beg Observatory: The observatory ruins are one of the 20th century’s greatest archaeological discoveries. Ulugh Beg is better known as an astronomer than a ruler—his sextant, 30 meters long, was part of a three-story observation tower built in the 1420s; only its curved track excavated in 1908 remains. The small on-site museum displays miniatures of Ulugh Beg, as well as pottery and other artifacts unearthed from Afrasiab.
Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque (approx. 40 mins): As introduced earlier, it is Central Asia’s largest mosque, with Gothic architectural influences and a 35-meter-tall main gate. Its name means “Great Lady”, said to be built by Timur’s chief wife. It served as the main Friday mosque of Samarkand, hosting thousands of male worshippers weekly in its heyday.
Browse Siyob Bazaar (approx. 30 mins): No Uzbek city is complete without a bazaar! The bustling market reflects Samarkand’s vitality, selling fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish, and all manner of goods—you will never go hungry here.
Tour Eternal City (approx. 30 mins): A unique venue showcasing all the traditions of Oriental architecture, blending Uzbek ethnic culture, regional characteristics, and folk customs. It is a microcosm of architectural styles from Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Fergana, Tashkent, and other Uzbek cities. Besides ancient streets and squares, visitors can see famous handicraft workshops for pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more.
Return to hotel for rest.
Day 4: Samarkand → Bukhara (approx. 280 km / 4h drive)
Meals: Hotel buffet breakfast / Specialty lunch / Old Town Sunset Dinner
Accommodation: Sahid Zarafshan Hotel or equivalent, Bukhara
After breakfast, take a coach to Bukhara Old Town, the hometown of the folk character Nasreddin Hodja (Afanti). With over 2,000 years of history, Bukhara has miraculously preserved architecture from almost every era. Its design elements and urban layout influenced most cities across Central Asia, making it a gem of Central Asian architectural history. Many of its structures date back to the Middle Ages, presenting an almost perfectly preserved medieval townscape.
Enjoy local specialty lunch upon arrival.
Explore Taqi-Zargaron Historical Commercial District (approx. 2h): As a key Silk Road hub, Bukhara thrived on commerce. The area west of Lyabi-Hauz Square has been a bustling market since the Shaybanid era. Covered arcades, alleys, and crossroads formed crowded markets, with domed bazaars called taqiat intersections. Three domed markets remain: Taqi-Zargaron (originally a jewelry market), Taqi-Telpak Furushon (originally a hat market), and Taqi-Sarrafon (originally a money exchange). Today they retain their original appearance but sell mixed merchandise, including local handicrafts, carpets, embroidery, and gold jewelry.
Head to a characteristic old town restaurant for a special rooftop sunset dinner.
Night Tour of Kalon Minaret & Mosque (approx. 60 mins): An iconic Muslim architectural landmark and symbol of Bukhara, built in 1127 during the Kara-Khanid Khanate. Standing 46 meters tall, it was the tallest structure in Central Asia at the time. “Kalon” means “great” in Tajik. Intact for nearly 900 years, it served as a beacon for Silk Road travelers. Genghis Khan was so impressed by it that he ordered it spared during his conquest. It suffered minor damage when Red Army commander Mikhail Frunze shelled it in 1920, with repair marks still visible. In the 16th–17th centuries, it was used as a execution site—criminals and political prisoners were thrown from the top, earning it the nickname “Tower of Death”.
Stop by Afanti Square for photos with the famous Nasreddin Hodja sculpture and share stories of the witty folk hero.
Stroll around Lyabi-Hauz Square, the heart of Bukhara’s old town. Centered around a pond shaded by old trees, it is a favorite gathering spot for locals. Rest by the green water under a 1477-born mulberry tree, enjoy plov and cool tea for around $6, and watch cats lazing in the breeze—pure relaxation.
Return to hotel for rest.
Day 5: Bukhara → Tashkent (High-speed rail approx. 3h57m; if unavailable due to peak season or government requisition, replaced with regular express train)
Reference high-speed trains: Afrosiyob 769 (15:20–19:17) / Afrosiyob 761 (15:46–19:43)
Reference regular train: Sharq 009 (16:31–22:50)
Meals: Hotel buffet breakfast / Group lunch / Dinner at own expense
Accommodation: Shamsan Hotel / Regal Stay Hotel or equivalent, Tashkent
After breakfast, visit Ark Fortress (approx. 60 mins): Archaeological evidence confirms it is Bukhara’s oldest relic. Fronted by the man-made Registan Square, the fortress is not a perfect quadrilateral—it juts slightly east-west with a chamfered southeast corner. In the Middle Ages, it housed government officials, military families, warehouses, treasuries, shops, schools, and prisons. Folklore says a young hero named Siyavush won a challenge from the king: he cut a hide into thin strips, connected them to form a circle, and built the palace within its bounds.
Tour Bolo Ha Uz Mosque (approx. 20 mins): Located opposite Ark Fortress, it is the only intact monument on Registan Square. The complex includes a reservoir, Friday mosque, and minaret; its oldest feature is the reservoir, one of Bukhara’s few remaining ponds.
View Chor-Minor Madrasah (approx. 10 mins exterior visit): A unique Bukhara landmark, its name means “Four Minarets”. The rectangular madrasah has four corner minarets with blue domes, each with distinct designs. Decorative elements are said to reflect philosophical concepts of the world’s four major religions—Christian crosses, Islamic fish symbols, and Buddhist prayer wheels are discernible. The complex centers on a small courtyard with a pool, flanked by stone benches and adjacent madrasahs. Built by wealthy Turkmen merchant Khalif Niyazkul, it is often dated to 1807, though archives suggest a madrasah existed on the site as early as the late 17th century.
Visit Ulugh Beg Madrasah (approx. 20 mins interior visit): Grandson of Timur, Ulugh Beg was an enlightened, scholarly ruler who prioritized scientific development. In addition to the famous madrasah on Registan Square in Samarkand and the Gijduvan Madrasah, he ordered the construction of this madrasah in Bukhara to make the city a center of science and education. It became a model for other Central Asian madrasahs.
Enjoy lunch, then take high-speed rail back to Tashkent.
Visit Magic City Park (interior visit): One of Tashkent’s most popular parks, featuring 11 themed streets with distinct architectural styles. Amsterdam Street replicates the city’s historic floating houses; Barcelona Street showcases works in the style of Antoni Gaudí.
Return to hotel for rest.
Day 6: Tashkent → Chengdu
Reference flight: GJ8976 Tashkent–Chengdu 12:50–21:05 (flight duration approx. 5h20m)
Meals: Hotel buffet breakfast / Lunch at own expense / Dinner at own expense
The above itinerary is for reference only. The tour operator reserves the right to adjust the sequence based on flight schedules. In case of uncontrollable factors such as attraction maintenance, alternative comparable attractions may be substituted.
Cost Inclusion
Transportation: Round-trip Chengdu non-stop flights with tax.
Land Transport: Air-conditioned tourist coaches in Uzbekistan, arranged by group size; one seat per person.
Accommodation: Hotels listed in the itinerary, twin-share standard rooms (single supplement not included).
Admission: First-entry tickets and shuttle fees for all listed attractions.
Meals: Hotel breakfasts (non-refundable if unused) and all listed lunches/dinners.
Guide: Chinese-speaking local guide and tour leader services.
Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance and overseas travel accident insurance.
Cost Exclusion
Mandatory miscellaneous fee: CNY 1,200/person.
Camera/video camera fees for some attractions: Approx. 5,000–10,000 UZS (subject to on-site charges).
Extra costs caused by force majeure: Traffic delays, war, coups, strikes, natural disasters, flight mechanical issues, flight cancellations/schedule changes, etc.
Personal expenses: Laundry, haircuts, phone/fax charges, pay-per-view TV, beverages, alcohol, tobacco, and other hotel-incurred fees.
Any costs not listed under “Cost Inclusion”.
Losses caused by traveler breach of contract, personal fault, actions during free activities, or pre-existing medical conditions.
Single room supplement (if single occupancy is requested).
visa fees, tips, luggage storage fees, and excess baggage charges; items not explicitly covered above.
Travel Tips
Checked Baggage: Do not pack valuables or emergency medication in checked luggage. Keep them secure throughout the trip; bring your own medications.
Baggage Allowance: International flights (Loong Air): 1 piece of checked baggage per person, max 20 kg. Domestic flights in Uzbekistan: 1 piece per person, max 20 kg.
Customs Notes: Declare foreign currency upon entry. Amounts over USD 10,000 require a blue declaration form; amounts under USD 10,000 do not need declaration. Upon exit, the amount of foreign currency carried must not exceed the declared entry amount. Undeclared currency will be confiscated and fined; large amounts may lead to prosecution.
Post-Arrival Registration: For travelers holding Uzbek visas staying in hotels, registration is handled by the hotel. Staying elsewhere requires separate registration (tour groups must stay in hotels; unauthorized stays incur a fine of up to USD 2,000). Registration must be completed within 72 hours of arrival; late registration incurs a fine of 50–200 times the local minimum wage.
Electricity: 220V/50Hz, two-pin plug (Russian standard).
Wi-Fi: Available at most tourist attractions, shopping malls, and hotels.
Currency: Exchange CNY for USD in China first, then exchange USD for Uzbek som locally.
Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted. ATMs with UnionPay logos allow cash withdrawals (fixed fees apply per transaction). POS terminals are limited; UnionPay credit cards can be used at some stores. Credit card limits may restrict large purchases—debit cards are recommended for big transactions.
Pre-Departure Notes for Uzbekistan
Religion: Islam. International dialing code: +998.
Climate: Severely arid continental climate. Long, hot summers with average July temperatures of 26–32°C; short, cold winters with average January temperatures of -6 to -3°C; lowest temperatures in the north reach -38°C.
Cities with airports: Tashkent, Urgench, Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana, Navoi, Nukus, Termez.
National Holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan 1); Navruz (Mar 21); Memorial and Honor Day (May 9); Independence Day (Sep 1); Teacher’s Day (Oct 1); Constitution Day (Dec 8).
Customs: Do not remove your hat while eating; avoid coughing in front of guests. Outsiders are prohibited from entering homes with young married women or newlywed couples’ residences. As the population is Muslim, pork, dog meat, donkey meat, and all animal blood are forbidden.
Cuisine: Locals mainly eat beef, mutton, horse meat, and dairy products. Plov and kebabs are staples. A local specialty mixes chopped cooked meat with onions and yogurt, seasoned with broth and pepper. Kebabs and samsa (stuffed pastries) are widely available on street corners.
Pharmacies: Known as “APTEKA” or “Dorixona” locally, open approx. 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Shopping: Local handicrafts are worth purchasing, including wood/bone carvings, embroidered skullcaps, Suzani wall hangings, ceramics, miniature models, and handmade silk. Bazaars in Bukhara and Samarkand offer the best “Oriental lifestyle” experience, with raw materials and spices for carpet-making (Bukhara has a centuries-old carpet-weaving tradition).
Contact Info for Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan:
Country code: 00-998-71
Consular Section: +998-71-2334728
Embassy Fax: +998-71-2334735
Economic & Commercial Counsellor’s Office: +998-71-2861866
Emergency Numbers: Ambulance: 03; Fire: 01; Police: 02.