In most guide books, Andijan gets a brief mention. It’s sad because Andijan is considered the most Uzbek city in the country because of its language and culture. Andijan’s dialect of Uzbek is the closest to Uzbek’s literary form (the standard version of the language). While Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent include architecture and culture influenced by Persia and Russia, Andijan’s architecture and culture is completely Uzbek. After living in Andijan for ten months, here are my picks of the most interesting spots in the city. Some of these spots appeared on my blog post about Andijan’s Old City. Please enjoy this comprehensive tourist guide to Andijan. I hope you love this city as much as I do.
Bogishamol Park
Supposedly, Bobur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India, was born here. At the park, there is an Uzbek amusement park, a museum dedicated to Bobur and some hiking trails. Once you enter the park, I recommend walking up to and looking around the museum. It has a museum dedicated to Bobur’s life and features stunning artwork and a comprehensive library. It costs 6,000 so’m. After walking through the museum, continue walking up the hill, following the path. On the top, you will see a boat and a ferris wheel. It is an hour hike to the ferris wheel but the views of the Andijan Region and the Osh Region are spectacular. If you are brave, you can take the tram up to the top.
(Get there by using Damas 14 from Yangi Bazaar or get a private taxi)
Andijan Regional History Museum
Every major Uzbek city has one but Andijan’s is the best. The entrance features stereotypical Soviet artwork. The second floor has a magnificent puppet display and artwork from Andijan. The third floor has the eclectic taxidermy display of all animals that ever lived in the Andijan Region including snow leopards. It costs 5,000 so’m.
(Get there by using Damases 3, 33, 222 or any saying Эски шахар or hail a taxi and ask to go O’zbegim Trade Center. The museum is across from the Trade Center)
Registan
While Samarqand’s Registan is more famous, Andijan’s Registan is quaint. Next the history museum and across from the O’zbegim Shopping Mall, the Registan demonstrates how important Islam is to Andijan and how important Andijan is to the history of Central Asia. The ensemble is decorated with traditional Muslim patterns and imagery. In the center, the Minaret stands. Grab some ice cream and walk around the square.
(Get there by using Damases 3, 33, 222 or any saying Эски шахар or hail a taxi and ask to go O’zbegim Trade Center)
Jome Mosque
This is the biggest mosque in the most religious city in Uzbekistan. Currently under reconstruction, the Jome Mosque is the Friday mosque in Andijan. It is massive. After strolling around the Registan, I recommend walking towards the mosque, passing by Bobur’s literary museum where Bobur lived in Andijan. Walk into the entrance, read the information and take photos of the gorgeous designs. The reconstruction made enormous progress while I was there so it might be almost done if you go now.
(Get there by using Damases 3, 33, 222 or any saying Эски шахар or hail a taxi and ask to go O’zbegim Trade Center)
Cho'ntak Choyxonasi
This choyxona (tea house) is recommended by Islam Karimov. Located in the suburb, Asaka, built on top of an old palace, Chuntak is the best Uzbek food in Uzbekistan. If you are skeptical about Central Asian cuisine like myself, you will be convinced by Chuntak’s plov and beef. While choyxonas are normally for men, Chuntak is fine for women to attend. I recommend walking around and admiring the views of the Andijan Region.
(Get there by taking a Damas from Andijan’s Yangi Bazaar labelled Asaka then transfer to Damas 5 or you can always ask a taxi in Yangi Bazaar to take you to Chuntak)
Section: Travel
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