Have you heard about Uzbekistan lately?

Travel the ancient Silk Road and meet descendants of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Tamerlane. Retrace the paths taken by caravans of camels carrying silks, paper, and gunpowder to the what has been the greatest trade route in history.

This book contains historical, geographical and travel notes on Cashmere and Tibet.

"When Uzbekistan declared independence and left the Soviet Union, it started a new chapter in its long history. Readers explore this history and the steps Uzbekistan has taken to plan for the future in this thoroughly-researched and updated guide. From facts about the government and economy to details about art, music, and sports, every aspect of life in this Central Asian nation is presented to readers, along with colorful photographs. Additional information about Uzbekistan is found in easy-to-read maps, a comprehensive timeline, recipes for making popular foods, and helpful sidebars."-- Provided by publisher.

"This new edition of Bradt's Uzbekistan continues to offer more practical detail for independent travelers than any other guidebook to that country, written by expert authors who have lived and worked in Central Asia since 2008. With first-hand descriptions of everything from UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the world's best collection of Russian avant-garde art, to riding across deserts by camel and cooking plov, Uzbekistan's authors bring the country alive in this updated 2nd edition. Comprehensive details of accommodation, restaurants and public transport options are included, along with a number of detailed maps, trekking and hiking routes and off the beaten track locations, as well as full information on how to travel around the country by bus, train and shared taxi. There's more on the country's flora and fauna, and detailed, hard-hitting information on the current state of the economy, domestic politics and foreign affairs. All listings have been thoroughly updated and the latest highlights brought to the fore. Uzbekistan is famed for the golden road to Samarkand and the equally famous Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Khiva. Beyond these indisputable highlights, however, lies a country rich in history but with a complex and intriguing modern streak. Striking medieval and contemporary architecture battles for your attention, standing in sharp contrast to the empty, endless deserts and the majestic mountainscapes of the Tien Shan range. The authors' use of historical anecdotes and high quality photographs, as well as their amusing travel stories, make Uzbekistan an enjoyable read and the perfect companion both before and during a trip to Central Asia's most populous country and the heart of the historic Silk Road."--Amazon website.

The strict prohibition in Islam on the representation of the human form has channeled artistic creation into architecture and architectural decoration. This book is a magical tour through Central Asia - Khirgizia, Tadjikistan, Turkmenia, and Uzbekistan - a cradle of Ancient civilizations and a repository of the Oriental arts inspired by Buddhism and Islam. There are magnificent, full-color photographs of the abandoned cities of Mervand Urgench, Khiva, the capital of the Kharezm, with its mausoleum of Sheikh Seid Allahuddin, and the Golden Road to Samarkand, the Blue City, a center of civilization for 2,500 years.

Culture Smart! Uzbekistan will take you beyond the standard descriptions of minarets, kebabs with vodka, embroidered skullcaps, and Soviet-style bureaucracy. It will make you aware of the value systems, attitudes, and behaviors of the different cultural groups in the country, and offer an insider's view of Uzbekistan's fascinating history, national traditions, various cuisines, and cultural scene. It will tell you what the peoples of Uzbekistan are like at home, at play, and in business, and give practical advice on how to behave in different situations so as to make the most out of your visit. Uzbekistan is a land of paradoxes, both enjoyable and surprising for foreign visitors. It is famous for its fabulous architectural monuments and the exotic spirit of the Great Silk Road, the ancient trade route connecting East and West. Uzbekistan is a multicultural society where old and revived traditions coexist with modernity.