What to see, what to do Uzbekistan?

Most shops close on Sundays, but street vendors work seven days a week. In the worst case, it will be enough to go to the nearest bazaar. In the very touristy areas of Bukhara and Samarkand, some shops are open every day and do not close until late in the evening. Also, souvenir stores are usually open every day, with some exceptions. During the Ramadan period, some store owners may decide to close their stores. During the off-season, it can also be difficult to find the artisans, but a simple phone call will open the door. Points of interest are generally open every day, but most museums have a weekly closing day, usually Monday.

Reservations are rarely necessary, unless you are in a group with a large number of people. French-speaking guides, on the other hand, should be booked well in advance of the tourist season as they are rare and crowded.

Uzbekistan applies a double entrance fee to major monuments and museums, with tourists paying much more than locals. In spite of this, the prices of visits are very accessible compared to France, but beware: you will often have to pay a supplement to take pictures, another one to film, and still another one to benefit from a guided tour or an audioguide. In cities like Samarkand or Bukhara, where the visits follow one another, the bill can climb quite quickly.

Uzbekistan does not shine by its festive and cultural agenda, but here again, the situation tends to evolve. In Samarkand, the Registan sound and light show is now a well-established spectacle, every evening in high season. In Bukhara, the Silk and Spice festival is now well established in the Uzbek festive landscape. But most of the other events on the cultural agenda are a little too young to be sure of their durability.

In high season, most monuments and museums in major cities can offer you the services of a guide to enrich your visit. But most of the time, they will be English-speaking guides. French-speaking guides are indeed rarer and are usually quickly hired by local agencies to cope with the recent success of the destination with the French public. Moreover, the guides working in public buildings are rarely the best and are often content to recite official texts learned by heart.

Anti-smoking laws have not yet been passed everywhere in Uzbekistan, and many Uzbeks still smoke in restaurants, in chaikhanas... without worrying about their surroundings. Nevertheless the situation is changing and smoking is forbidden in trains and long-distance buses as well as in some of the more upscale restaurants.

In tourist spots like the Registan in Samarkand or the Liab-i-khaouz in Bukhara, many young independent guides will come to you to offer you guided tours of the city. It's up to you to judge the person, because some of them come honestly to earn some money during their vacations to finance their studies, others are clearly there only for the money and are satisfied to accompany you. In any case, set a price before you leave and do not hesitate to fire your guide if you are not satisfied with his or her behavior.

When visiting historical and especially religious monuments, women should make sure to cover their heads and wear proper attire (no shorts or tank tops). Islam in Uzbekistan is quite tolerant, and respecting local customs will help to ensure that it remains so.