Have you ever traveled to Uzbekistan? If not, you're missing out on a fascinating place. Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia with many historical and cultural treasures. It is also the only doubly landlocked country in the world. It was once an important stop on the Silk Road, ruled by the Mongol Empire, and was also part of the Soviet Union until it gained independence in 1991.

During my week-long trip last month, I visited the capital city of Tashkent first. Tashkent is a modern and diverse city with many different ethnic and religious groups.

I visited famous landmarks such as Amir Timur Square, Hazrat Imam Mosque, and the museum. Amir Timur Square is a place to honor the father of Uzbekistan, with a very tall bronze statue. Hazrat Imam Mosque is a gorgeous building with colorful mosaics and arches. The museum has many exhibitions that introduce Uzbekistan's history, art, and nature.

In addition to visiting landmarks, I also tried many local foods. The favorite food of Uzbekistan is pilaf, which is a dish made of rice, meat, vegetables, and spices. Pilaf has many variations, such as using lamb, beef, or chicken, and adding raisins, nuts, or dried fruits. Pilaf is fragrant and nutritious. Besides pilaf, I also ate some bread, soup, salad, and desserts. Bread is baked in a wood-fired oven, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for pairing with soup. Soup has many varieties, such as beef and vegetable soup or fish and noodle soup. Salads are made of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese, refreshing and appetizing. Desserts include fruits, cakes, puddings, and so on, all very sweet.

After Tashkent, I took a train to Samarkand, an important city on the Silk Road with many ancient and spectacular buildings. I went to Registan Square and saw three huge mosque gates decorated with colorful mosaics. I also went to Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and saw the tombs of Amir Timur and his family made of blue ceramic. The most shocking thing I saw was Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a mosque built in the 14th century, but later destroyed by an earthquake. Now only a huge arch remains, like a gate to the ancient world.

I also bought some souvenirs in Samarkand, such as silk, ceramics, and woodcarvings. These souvenirs are very delicate and reflect Uzbekistan's craftsmanship. I also chatted with some locals and found them to be very friendly and hospitable. Some even invited me to their homes for meals and shared their lives with me. Finally, I went to Bukhara, a city that is one of the origins of Islamic culture, with many mosques, colleges, and museums. My favorite was the Al-Ka'bah Mosque, which is an ancient wooden temple with many wooden carvings and calligraphy works. I also listened to the locals singing and reading scriptures, feeling their respect for culture. I also sat by the nearby pond, enjoying the reflection on the water surface and the surrounding scenery.

Overall, I think Uzbekistan is a place worth visiting, with many things to see, do, and eat. If you love history and culture, you will definitely love this country. If you want to know more about traveling to Uzbekistan, you can check out my blog or leave a message to ask me. I hope you all have the chance to visit this wonderful place!