Walking down the steps to the Oybek Metro Station in Tashkent.
Day 18 (04 Jun 2026) Exploring Tashkent
Our 18th day was devoted to discovering the modern capital of Uzbekistan on foot and by metro. Tashkent's efficient underground railway system, wide boulevards, leafy parks, and impressive public buildings made it an enjoyable city to explore at a leisurely pace.
After breakfast at Hotel Marmaris Saray, we set off on foot, walking approximately 1.7 km in about 25 minutes to the nearby Oybek Metro Station. From there, we boarded the Tashkent Metro and travelled about 2.2 km to Amir Temur Xiyoboni Station.
Stepping in and out of the train station was an attraction in itself. The Tashkent Metro is famous throughout Central Asia for its beautifully decorated stations. Marble walls, elegant columns, intricate lighting, and spacious platforms reflect Uzbekistan's rich artistic and cultural heritage. Each station possesses its own distinctive architectural style, making the metro system feel more like an underground museum than a public transport network.
Emerging from Amir Temur Xiyoboni Station, we began a leisurely one-hour walking tour through the heart of Tashkent, visiting several of the city's most important landmarks.
Our 1st stop was Amir Temur Square, the symbolic centre of modern Tashkent. Dominated by the impressive equestrian statue of Amir Timur, the beautifully landscaped square is surrounded by elegant buildings and serves as one of the city's most popular gathering places.
Adjacent to the square stands the State Museum of the Temurids, whose striking blue dome houses exhibits dedicated to the life, achievements, and legacy of Amir Timur and the Timurid Empire.
We continued to the impressive Palace of International Forums, one of Tashkent's grandest modern buildings. Its magnificent white façade and imposing architecture reflect Uzbekistan's role in hosting major international conferences and state events.
Nearby stands the contemporary Forum Business Centre, one of the capital's prominent commercial developments, representing Tashkent's rapid economic growth and modern skyline.
Our walk then brought us to the World War II Memorial, a solemn monument honouring the many Uzbek soldiers who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. The peaceful surroundings provided a quiet moment for reflection.
From there, we strolled beside the scenic Anhor Canal, where tree-lined pathways and gently flowing water offered a refreshing contrast to the bustling city streets.
After completing our walking tour, we took taxis to Milliy Liboslar Filiali near the Chorsu Buyum Savdo Kompleksi for lunch.
Following our meal, we returned to Hotel Marmaris Saray, where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon break with a cold beer at Yoree Korean Restaurant before having an early dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan Chinese Restaurant.
As evening approached, we took another taxi to Seoul Mun, one of Tashkent's newest lifestyle and entertainment districts. Beautifully designed along the riverside, Seoul Mun combines modern architecture with landscaped walkways, stylish cafés, restaurants, retail shops, and relaxing public spaces. As darkness fell, colourful lights illuminated the buildings, fountains, and riverbanks, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with families, couples, and visitors enjoying the pleasant evening.
Walking through Seoul Mun felt like stepping into a lively open-air community. The beautifully lit waterfront, comfortable seating areas, and wide variety of cafés and restaurants made it one of the most enjoyable places we visited in Tashkent.
The night-time scenery was so impressive that I decided to return the following morning to experience the same place in daylight and compare its daytime charm with its spectacular evening ambience.
18th night accommodation: Hotel Marmaris Saray, Tashkent, Uzbekistan +998 95 427 88 88 
Our 18th day was devoted to discovering the modern capital of Uzbekistan on foot and by metro. Tashkent's efficient underground railway system, wide boulevards, leafy parks, and impressive public buildings made it an enjoyable city to explore at a leisurely pace.
After breakfast at Hotel Marmaris Saray, we set off on foot, walking approximately 1.7 km in about 25 minutes to the nearby Oybek Metro Station. From there, we boarded the Tashkent Metro and travelled about 2.2 km to Amir Temur Xiyoboni Station. 
Breakfast at Hotel Marmaris Saray, Tashkent.
Breakfast at Hotel Marmaris Saray, Tashkent.
We set on foot, walking approximately 1.7 km in about 25 minutes to the nearby Oybek Metro Station. From there, we boarded the Tashkent Metro and travelled about 2.2 km to Amir Temur Xiyoboni Station.
We set off on foot, walking about 1.7 km in about 25 minutes to the nearby Oybek Metro Station.
TELO. Шота Руставели, Tashkent.
Biznes va tadbirkorlik oliy maktabi, Tashkent.
Kapital Bank, Tashkent.
A sunny street scene in Tashkent, with us walking past a row of parked cars and a multi-story building.
Walking down the steps to the Oybek Metro Station in Tashkent.
Walking down the steps to the Oybek Metro Station in Tashkent.
From Oybek Metro Station, we boarded the Tashkent Metro for about 2.2km to Amir Temur Station.
Stepping in and out of the train station was an attraction in itself. The Tashkent Metro is famous throughout Central Asia for its beautifully decorated stations. Marble walls, elegant columns, intricate lighting, and spacious platforms reflect Uzbekistan's rich artistic and cultural heritage. Each station possesses its own distinctive architectural style, making the metro system feel more like an underground museum than a public transport network.
Commuters waiting on the platform of the Tashkent Metro.
The station is the city's extensive underground transit network, which serves millions of passengers daily.
Commuters waiting on the platform of the Tashkent Metro, with a blue and white train approaching in the background. The station is part of the city's extensive underground transit network, which serves millions of passengers daily.
A blue ceramic medallion at the Kosmonavtlar Metro Station in Tashkent, featuring a Soviet cosmonaut in a space suit holding flowers. The station is part of the city's underground network and is decorated with artistic tributes to the space program.
The station is the city's underground network decorated with artistic tributes to the space program.
A commemorative plaque inside the Kosmonavtlar Metro Station in Tashkent.
A blue medallion at the Kosmonavtlar Metro Station in Tashkent, featuring a relief of Yuri Gagarin.
A blue medallion inside the Kosmonavtlar Metro Station in Tashkent, depicting Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Dzhanibekov in a space suit.
Kosmonavtalar metro station in Tashkent, with its blue tiled wall and station name in Uzbek and English.
A sign reading "Ogohlık - Davr Talabi," which translates to "Public Service - Application."
Passengers seated and standing inside a Mass Transit Railway train during a busy commute.
Stepping in and out of the train station was an attraction in itself. The Tashkent Metro is famous throughout Central Asia for its beautifully decorated stations. Marble walls, elegant columns, intricate lighting, and spacious platforms reflect Uzbekistan's rich artistic and cultural heritage. Each station possesses its own distinctive architectural style, making the metro system feel more like an underground museum than a public transport network.
The Tashkent Metro is famous throughout Central Asia for its beautifully decorated stations. 
Tile mosaic at Alisher Navoi Metro Station - Layla and Majnun story, showing the two lovers seated together under a starry sky. The artwork is framed with intricate turquoise and gold patterns, and the title is inscribed in Cyrillic script below the central image.
Tile mosaic at Alisher Navoi Metro Station - Farhad and Shirin, two central figures from the epic poem The Book of the Courtier. 
Tile mosaic at Alisher Navoi Metro Station.
Tile mosaic at Alisher Navoi Metro Station.
A decorative tile panel from the Tashkent Metro, featuring intricate blue-and-white designs.
A decorative tile panel from the Tashkent Metro, featuring intricate blue-and-white designs.
A busy crowd of commuters walking through a station adorned with a large mosaic artwork depicting a running athlete holding a torch.
A crowded scene inside the Chinor metro station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with passengers walking.
The ornate tiled wall of Alisher Navoi Metro Station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where intricate blue, gold, and white patterns line the platform. The station is part of the Uzbekistan Metro’s Chilonzor Line and is celebrated for its elaborate Soviet-era design.
Emerging from Amir Temur Xiyoboni Station, we began a leisurely one-hour walking tour through the heart of Tashkent, visiting several of the city's most important landmarks.
The one-hour walking tour through the heart of Tashkent, visiting several important landmarks.
Hotel Uzbekistan in Tashkent. We all walked in to use the restroom..
Hotel Uzbekistan in Tashkent. We all walked in to use the restroom..
A large metal sculpture of two cranes with outstretched wings perched atop the roof of a building.
The Palace of International Forums "Uzbekistan" is a grand state venue on Amir Timur Square in central Tashkent. Opened in August 2009 for the city's 2,200th anniversary, it hosts official summits, government acts, and cultural events.
The Tashkent Chimes features two twin clock towers near Amir Timur Square, with a cool post-WWII history involving a clock mechanism saved from Poland.
The Tashkent Chimes features two twin clock towers near Amir Timur Square.
Our 1st stop was Amir Temur Square, the symbolic centre of modern Tashkent. Dominated by the impressive equestrian statue of Amir Timur, the beautifully landscaped square is surrounded by elegant buildings and serves as one of the city's most popular gathering places.
The impressive equestrian statue of Amir Timur at Amir Temur Square.
The impressive equestrian statue of Amir Timur at Amir Temur Square.
Adjacent to the square stands the State Museum of the Temurids, whose striking blue dome houses exhibits dedicated to the life, achievements, and legacy of Amir Timur and the Timurid Empire.
Nearby stands the contemporary Forum Business Centre, one of the capital's prominent commercial developments, representing Tashkent's rapid economic growth and modern skyline.
Forum Business Centre, one of the capital's prominent commercial developments.
Mustakillik Fountain in Tashkent.
Our walk then brought us to the World War II Memorial, a solemn monument honouring the many Uzbek soldiers who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. The peaceful surroundings provided a quiet moment for reflection.
Crying Mother Monument in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, featuring a bronze statue of a grieving woman seated on a pedestal with an eternal flame at its base. The memorial honors Uzbek soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War and is located in Independence Square.
From World War II Memorial, we strolled beside the scenic Anhor Canal, where tree-lined pathways and gently flowing water offered a refreshing contrast to the bustling city streets.
We strolled beside the scenic Anhor Canal, 
The scenic Anhor Canal.
At Anhor Canal we took taxis to Milliy Liboslar Filiali near Chorsu Buyum Savdo Kompleksi for lunch. 
We had lunch at Milliy Liboslar Filiali near Chorsu Buyum Savdo Kompleksi. 
We had lunch at Milliy Liboslar Filiali near Chorsu Buyum Savdo Kompleksi. 
Food stall at the Chorsu Bazaar in Uzbekistan, where vendors prepare skewers of meat and vegetables for eager customers. The market is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a wide variety of traditional Uzbek dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.d our lunch here.
Food stall at the Chorsu Bazaar in Uzbekistan, where vendors prepare skewers of meat and vegetables.
Skewers of meat grilling over an open flame at food market, with smoke rising from the hot coals.
We had lunch at Milliy Liboslar Filiali.
We had lunch at Milliy Liboslar Filiali.
Our pretty ladies enjoying a meal together at a bustling outdoor food stall, with plates of rice and side dishes spread across a floral-patterned tablecloth.
A plate of Uzbek plov, a traditional rice dish made with devsira rice, lamb or beef, and served with a boiled egg. The hearty meal is a staple of Uzbek cuisine and is often enjoyed during celebrations.
A skewer of grilled meat served alongside a bottle of Coca-Cola Classic on a floral-patterned tablecloth.
Friendship of Peoples Palace in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with its distinctive white facade and the national flag of Uzbekistan flying high above. The palace serves as the seat of government and a symbol of national unity in the Uzbek capital.
The entrance archway of Magic City in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, featuring colorful castle-like towers.
The lighthouse at Seoul Mun.
After our lunch, we returned to Hotel Marmaris Saray, where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon break with a cold beer at Yoree Korean Restaurant before having an early dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan.
Three of us are seated at a table in a casual dining setting, each holding a tall glass of beer. The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the warm lighting, comfortable seating.
A tall glass of Sarbast beer, featuring its distinctive red label with a golden eagle emblem and a foamy head. The Uzbek brand is known for producing a variety of beers, including this unfiltered variety.
Waiting for the rest of the group to arrive for dinner.
A rustic wooden wall adorned with a mirror framed by an assortment of vintage kitchen utensils, including pots, pans, and ladles. A small wall-mounted telephone and a glimpse of greenery outside add to the eclectic, nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage Soviet-era rotary payphone mounted on a wooden wall, with its handset hanging to the side. The weathered blue metal and Cyrillic signage evoke the style of public telephones used in the USSR during the mid-20th century.
Ching Neng Bin holds an old-fashioned rotary telephone set on a wooden wall.
A vintage brass trumpet surrounded by various decorative objects. The instrument’s aged patina and curved tubing suggest it is an antique or collectible piece.
Vintage metal kitchenware, including copper pots, pans, ladles, and teapot, arranged on a wooden wall.
The Qin Qian Mian Guan Oshhonasi, a Chinese restaurant specializing in water noodles.
Having an early dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan Chinese Restaurant.
Having an early dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan Chinese Restaurant.
The Qin Qian Mian Guan Oshhonasi, a Chinese restaurant specializing in water noodles.
The Qin Qian Mian Guan Oshhonasi, a Chinese restaurant specializing in water noodles.
Dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan.
Dinner at Qin Qin Mian Guan.
Chew Leng Soon had his dinner at Zun Long Restaurant.
As evening approached, we took another taxi to Seoul Mun, one of Tashkent's newest lifestyle and entertainment districts. Beautifully designed along the riverside, Seoul Mun combines modern architecture with landscaped walkways, stylish cafés, restaurants, retail shops, and relaxing public spaces. As darkness fell, colourful lights illuminated the buildings, fountains, and riverbanks, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with families, couples, and visitors enjoying the pleasant evening.
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We took another taxi to Seoul Mun, one of Tashkent's newest lifestyle and entertainment districts.
Walking through Seoul Mun felt like stepping into a lively open-air community. The beautifully lit waterfront, comfortable seating areas, and wide variety of cafés and restaurants made it one of the most enjoyable places we visited in Tashkent.
2026 Central Asia (Silk Road 2) Adventure
Kyrgyzstan • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan (18 May – 6 June 2026)
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