You may know the word Jizzax, pronounced Jizzak, from street signs on the main road leading to Samarkand. It may never have occurred to you but Jizzak is a quite a DISCOVERY. Jizzak's city limits, the area around the regional capital, offers places to visit and things to see, covering a variety of interests. Jizzak lies along The Great Silk Road and has a long history - early settlements date back to the Palaeoliticum. For thousands and thousands of years the town saw nomads, traders, pilgrims, dervishes and travelers from far-away places passing through. Wares from China and Levant were carried on Camel's backs through Jizzak. The town showed great resistance against the Russian conquerors but ultimately had to surrender. Later Jizzak held a large German population until not too long ago, the old Catholic church bears witness to those days.

The Sharof Rashidov Museum

A tribute to the first President of Uzbekistan who was from Jizzak, historical overview, personal artifacts, personal documents and photos.

Timur's Gate

According to legend, Timur's army, in record time, cut a passage through the rock hill that closed off the Jizzak Valley, thus enabling troops to move rapidly to the North. As you drive through the narrow opening, even with your eyes open, you can imagine Timur's Army crashing along with caravans, resting by the river before filing through Timur's Gate towards Samarkand.

The Russians had a hard time settling in. Still today Jizzak speaks with pride of the resistance displayed 90 years ago. If the walls of the Russian Governor's residence could talk...

The village Baxmalsoy on the way to Samarkand provides on ideal stopover for refreshing yoghurt and a taste of juniper tree smoked mountain goat, called baranina, a delicacy of the region, all to be enjoyed while leaning back on the traditional tapcha.

In the old town centre, the Catholic Church bears witness to the large German population that existed until not too long ago...

Another famous son of Jizzak is Hamid Alimjan, who grew up to become one of Uzbekistan's most prolific and esteemed writers and poets, intellectual and democrat. A metro station in Tashkent is named after him.

4thing you'll love about Jizzak

1. A two hours journey from Tashkent in the direction of Samarkand an ancient city of Eastern civilization
2. Tastly Jizzak samsa
3. Cradle of outstanding figures of Uzbekistan such as Khamid Alimjan, Sharaf Rashidov
4. Picturesque landscape