Hospitable Tashkent is truly a city of parks. I’ve spoken with many travelers who have visited Uzbekistan, and many of them were surprised by the abundance of green recreational areas in the country’s capital. Today, let’s take a walk through Navruz Park — a modern space that offers a closer look at the history and culture of Uzbekistan
Strolling Through Navruz Park
Navruz Park opened in August 2019. The initiative to create this green space came from the country’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. One of the park’s highlights is an ethnographic town filled with colorful buildings and local craft shops. Here, you can buy traditional clothing, souvenirs, art, carpets, and many other interesting items. Prices vary. I visited a few shops, and the cost of souvenirs and pottery was comparable to other stores in the city.
The streets of the ethnographic complex are named after cities and regions of Uzbekistan. In addition to the shops, there are eateries serving local dishes. I visited one of them — a café called "Loza" — where the menu included plov, various soups, and kebabs. Upon request, tourists can also order wine or beer. In the center of the complex, there’s an area used for concerts and open-air movie screenings.
In the southern part of the park stands the large Ferris wheel “Star of Anhor,” which rises 72 meters high. I was told it is the tallest of its kind in the city. Nearby, you’ll also find several installations with miniature models of the country’s architectural landmarks.
The northern area of the park features a few more attractions. According to online sources, these are scheduled to be removed, and the land will be redeveloped for residential and commercial use.
One of the park’s exits leads to the Bridge of Happiness. If viewed from above, its shape resembles the infinity symbol. The Bridge of Happiness is a gift to Tashkent. The structure was designed by the St. Petersburg-based institute Giprostroymost.
How to Get There by Metro
I walked to the park from Paxtakor metro station — the walk took about 25 minutes. It takes roughly the same amount of time to walk from Mustaqillik Maydoni station. You can plan your route using an app like Yandex Maps.
Entrance to Navruz Park is free of charge.
For those planning a trip to Tashkent, I recommend checking out my collection of articles about the city’s landmarks and interesting spots.
Have a nice trip!
