ATM's and Currency Exchange - Tashkent
by amcintyre
Have been back to Tashkent about 4 times over the past year for work. Regarding currency exchange - any of the hotel's have a good exchange place - normally open 24hours a day - apart from meal breaks - they will even provide a box for the bricks of cash they give you. The Dediman and Intercontinenetal are the best. Also you can exchange in the Bazaar's but obviously won't get receipts for your exit. Have never come across anywhere not having enough Soum - bucket loads everywhere - the sticky bit is the quality of the USD notes - too old, or marks on them - and suddenly they have no exchange.
For cash advances - The Intercontinental and Uzbekistan Hotel have ATM's dispensing USD cash using Mastercard - with a 1% commission. The Asaka Bank (Abdulla Kakhara Street) also does Mastercard cash advances for 1% commission - very friendly there - but a little out of the way (2000 soum taxi from centre). Visa card US cash advance is possible at the UZKDB bank (formerly UZDaewoo), next to Uzbekistan Hotel. They charge 2% commission. There are a few other banks doing Visa. The remaining ATMs' around town will accept visa but give soum notes - not sure of the maximum.
One thing to be aware of is if you are using a visa or mastercard debit card - ie loaded up with cash. This is a fairly new way of carrying cash - and does not work in Uzb yet except at ATM's - not at the banks. Something to do with it not having any embossing on it. If you are short of things to do in Tashklent - particualry inteh summer - get to Bobor park - great food, entertainment and fun - lovely people - try the waterfall restaurant - ask at a hotel - this is one of the most amazing places to eat at the base of a man-made waterfall in the back streets of town; great western food at the J Smoker up near the university; and of course broadway (every taxi driver knows).
How to exit Tashkent Airport
by Nuclei
Despite the size and importance of Tashkent, the airport is terrible. The customs check is old fashion, luggage claim is very small and so crowded. If you landed with few more airplanes, now the nightmare starts. The luggages are checked strictly, you need to declare how much money you carry, etc so exiting the airport becomes a real pain. It took 2 hours for me to leave the airport. Run friend run, for the front place in queue.
Capital of Uzbekistan
by nepalgoods
Tashkent has more than 2 mill inhabitants. It is the capital of the Republic Uzbekistan. Its wealth and importance comes from the ideal location. It is the HUB for most airlines going to Central Asia. Major trainroutes cross in Tashkent: to Moscow (3360km), to Novosibirsk (2630km), Turkmenbashi (1864km) and Duschanbe (1069km). Of course already in the times of the Big Silkroad Tashkent was a center of trade and cultural exchange. In a way you can say, that Tashkent is located at the old border between an area of nomadic people and settled urban population.
Today Tashkent is still an important city of trade and industry. The first university in Centralasia was founded 1920 in Tashkent. Now the city has about 30 science institutes, 18 universities, 30 colleges, 200 libraries, 11theatres and more. since 1999 Tashkent also has an Islamic University. There are also many museums, a zoo and a botanical garden, which are worth a visit.
It is a pity, that Tashkent always looks a bit underrated compared with the famous cities of Smarkand and Bukhara.
Uzbekistan Airways city sales office
by Trekki
I place this under “General”, as it is more than just a sales office.
Uzbekistan Airlines city sales office is a very convenient place, as it does also have an exchange office.
Of course you can get all your national (or international or CIS) tickets here. It is a tiny bit complicated or better buerocratic, but well….. First you have to go to a ticket counter, tell where you like to go. The girl will write down a payment note, which you have to bring to the separate cashier to pay. Then bring back your payment note with verification stamp of your payment, and you will get your ticket.
But the personnel is both helpful and efficient. However, not much English spoken.
Exchange office is right hand side after entrance.
Flight map of Uzbekistan Airlines The sales office is located at the big crossing of Rustavelli and Konaev - opposite of Hotel Mir (Hotel Mir - see picture)
Wild strawberries
by TheWanderingCamel
Wild strawberries growing along the side of footpaths in Tashkent's streets and parks sum up the charm and abundent goodwill of the people we met everywhere we went in Uzbekistan. Little red jewels with a tart sweetness nestling among the leaves, growing naturally wherever they can let their runners spread, untroubled by the modern city all around them, just getting on with what they have always done through the ages. Earthquakes, invasions, tyrants have come and gone, the strawberries, like the Uzbek people have prevailed.
leyle
Malika Chai Khana
Cupola and TV Tower
In Memorium
Independence Park
