Uzbekistan: How is the mysterious Central Asian country trying to entice Western tourists?

Uzbekistan: How is the mysterious Central Asian country trying to entice Western tourists?

Among its UNESCO World Heritage recognised towns and cities, Uzbekistan has some of Central Asia’s most incredible sights along what was the Silk Road, the ancient network of trading routes that linked China with Europe, writes euronews.travel.

This year marks Uzbekistan’s 30th anniversary of independence, with a calendar of Covid-friendly celebrations taking place in the capital Tashkent as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.

Travelling between these cities is now easier than ever thanks to new high-speed rail links that have reduced the journey time from Tashkent to Bukhara to three hours 40 minutes, two to Samarkand and from 19 to eight to Khiva, a distance of nearly 1,000 kilometres.

To entice foreign visitors back during the coronavirus pandemic the Uzbek government is offering anyone who catches COVID-19 while on holiday $3,000 (€2,558) to cover medical bills as long as they are travelling as part of a tour group.

Entry is visa-free for trips under 30 days and you’ll need a negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before arrival even if you’ve been fully vaccinated.

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