By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
Tashkent, Uzbekistan—Managing Editor Lee Kap-soo of Diplomacy Journal and UN Journal, visited Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan to cover 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections at the invitation of the Uzbek government through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. Lee visited several popular tourism places, traditional market and restaurants in Tashkent. –Ed.
The writer visited some popular places in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, after finishing the polling place coverage of the 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections.
After visiting several places in Tashkent, my overall feeling is that Tashkent is a peaceful, pleasant and relaxing city. It felt like a peaceful, laid-back city with a vibe of Gyeongju City that has a quiet, quaint, and cultural scene in South Korea.
In the Alisher Navoi National Park, there was a lot of greenery, the grounds are well maintained. There are fountains. There are many things to do for kids, places to eat. You can go boating also.
I was surprised that there is Seoul Mun in Tashkent. A tour guide Ms. Sabohat explained to me, “Seoul Mun has a comprehensive set of design tools, including the maintenance of Seoul boulevard and rehabilitation of canal with surrounding facilities and public spaces including its landscape design that represent the strong relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea.”
She also said, “Seoul Mun plays a role as the bridge between South Korea & Uzbekistan and the design focuses on the collaboration of the two countries. The canal rehabilitation project aimed to enrich the relations between the two countries, service to millions of local population and create a tourism attraction for foreign visitors around the world.”
She added, “The Seoul Mun project aimed to regain an unused area to the city. In this way, it enabled this region to meet with the public, and redeveloped a design for people so that they communicate with the green and water. In this regard, the leisure activities had a vital role in design process.”
There are many retail shops, food courts, car parking lots, exhibition centers, outdoor activity areas along 650 meter-long canal. The bridges over the canal connect the two sides each other like South Korea and Uzbekistan.
The writer also visited the beautiful modern Magic City. There are castles, a musical fountain, a number of cafes. It reminded me of the Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Provice, the largest theme park in South Korea. The huge park offers attractions for children from the aquarium to games, well-stocked shops and relaxation area.
Unlike Everland in Korea, there was no entrance fee and there were not many visitors, so it was very relaxing and enriching to walk around.
The streets were clean and dotted with restaurants serving international food and atmospheric coffee shops.
The writer also visited a traditional market selling traditional Uzbek clothes, carpets, dried fish, various nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meats.
What was unusual was that vendors were selling horse meat, which is not available in Korea, and fresh vegetables and fruits were very cheap and plentiful compared to Korea.
The writer also enjoyed food at a traditional Uzbek-style restaurant. There were plenty of fresh and delicious fruits such as apples, mandarin oranges, and bananas, and the lamb ribs were especially delicious despite the low price.
