Shopping is one of the most pleasant elements of any trip, and trips to Uzbekistan are no exception. It is hardly imaginable to visit the country and not to bring back a "babaichik" figurine or "tubeteika" traditional Uzbek cap. However, let us start from the beginning. Traveling to Uzbekistan, you must remember that this country is not known mainly for its shopping. However, here you can buy just about anything. How is this possible? In the East, and in particular, in Uzbekistan, people traditionally buy goods at bazaars rather than in ordinary shops.
If you want a really great bargain, try the Yangiabad Bazaar, a well known flea market in the region. The Alayski Bazaar is the oldest and one of the most famous bazaars in Central Asia. Whereas in most department stores the prices are fixed, in the bazaars, private shops and souvenir stores haggling is expected. It’s not so difficult to get a huge discount, especially on the prices of hand-crafted products and carpets. Bazaars are the best places to observe the daily life of the local people more so.
Neither the things you buy, nor your new impressions from the bazaar will let you down. Suitable places in Tashkent, the capital, include the Eski Djouva or Chor Su bazaars, located in the Old City. You will see beautiful rugs, soft silk, intricate khan atlases, dried fruit, spices, handicrafts, Uzbek style souvenirs and traditional hand-made clothes and footwear.
Many museums in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva have their own small shops selling various hand-made articles, antique items, paintings and aquarelles.
Almost all who have visited Uzbekistan have been particularly delighted with the sweet, juicy, sun-enriched fruit. These fruits are the pride of the local traders. Local dried fruit - coragha, dried figs, prunes, raisins, sun-dried melons, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, and sesame seeds in sugary syrup – it is a real oriental fantasy, and when this delicious produce is skillfully packed by the retailer, it becomes a wonderful present from Uzbekistan.
An organized tour with ample downtime makes for a fuss-free path to move between major cities in this far-flung destination. In addition to shopping-centric destinations, stops on a well-rounded tour might include the Soviet-style capital of Tashkent and the city of Khiva – and perhaps even a short stay in a traditional yurt camp in the countryside. In short, now’s the time to visit. Start your application today!! All for FREE!
RocApply Tips:
- As with other facets of life in Uzbekistani, food, and grocery are also sold in their local currency, so ensure to make all the necessary conversions and move around with a little local cash on you. Many of the establishments only accept the US dollar.
- The market is a very popular and crowded place to, so it is important to watch your wallet.
- As a newcomer, some of the names of the items might confuse you, please use any online translator services to check the correct Russian word for whatever you are searching for.
- Always ask for help or directions from fellow students and if you can't find any around you then ask even the locals they are always happy to assist foreigners and visitors.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
