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| Tashkent Province |
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A week-end to spend in Tashkent? Waiting for your flight back home with time to spare? Looking for a day trip with your kids? Then Tashkent Province is where you should turn to. We will take you on a tour to the sites no one knew of within a radius of 80km max of Tashkent city center. Part I takes you to the Southern region of Tashkent Oblost, towards the foothills of the Tjen Shan Mountains. Rolling hills, golden wheat fields, sunflowers as far as the eye stretches, grazing cows, quaint villages and last but not least, vineyards that produce some of the famous red wines of Uzbekistan. The drive beyond Tashkent Golf Club is most scenic, whether along country lanes or along the main road to the Ferghana Valley. 
 ParkentNo, you have not driven straight into the 23rd century, though this site may well have you believe so. You are standing in front of one of the world's few Astrophysical Solar Furnaces whose 62 staggered heliostats reflect the skies many times over though their purpose is of course not to mirror the clouds but to capture sun rays at the optimal angle which is below a 1 degree error margin in order to conduct solar research and to create the highest possible temperatures in a perfect ecologic manner for the production of, and here we site the website "multifunction ceramics (high temperature heaters, thermocouple, transformers, gas burners); - constructive ceramics (printing circuit board, tubes, ferrules, cutting tools); - fire proof ceramics (elements for ceramic engines, restorative surfaces); - optical, superconductivity and other types of ceramic materials for electronics, chemistry and other fields". This complicated optomechanical complex and the institute have been established in 1994.  ZarkentBy the time you have driven further South and have just about recovered from your high-tech experience, get ready to make a left turn as you utter the word "Champagne". Indeed, that is where you will find yourself, in a village where in 1915 French Winemakers fell for the fine quality of local grapes, remarking how closely these resembled the grapes from the French Champagne region. Rows upon rows of trellised wines yield about 180 tons of grapes each year. From the time a seedling is planted to harvesting its fruits takes 4 years. Farmers are solely reliant on rain for irrigation The hills behind Krasnagorsk are a favorite of "nomadic" honey producers throughout the summer. Their movable bee-hives are parked along the road in flower filled fields, the air, otherwise without a sound, is buzzing as you approach. Often, 1l glass jars with fresh honey are sold right off the wagon. Krasnagorsk In the heart of the Tashkent wine country. There was a time when major industry around town provided employment for everybody but these days are part of the past. Nowadays Krasnagorsk is a sleepy town where time somehow seems to have stood still 20 years ago. That alone is worth a visit; no cars running up and down the shady alleyways, the local population gets about on foot, no supermarkets, just a few main street stores. In the summer it is quite a few degrees cooler than Tashkent city, the air is pure and fresh under the canopy of green leaves. The clean hotel is surprisingly hip and could make it into the pages of Walllpaper magazine or some trendy design monthly for its original 70's funky furniture. The lake above town is a really nice pick-nick spot. You can drive right up to its shores on a gravel road. Sunwine is the equivalent of the famous "Wine Cooler" drink popular in the US. Visit the production site of the Uzbek version and enjoy the wine tasting of various red and white wines. Stock up on your supply for your next garden party BBQ.   AkhangaranAt the local Hokimyat, the local Business Women Association have their headquarters on the 3rd floor. These dynamic and spirited ladies who are all farmers are supported by international organizations and have documented their wide ranging activities in a big album. Press clippings, photos of seminars, workshops and get togethers. It is possible to visit an association member on her farm and in this way get to know more about rural life. Various arts & crafts items are on display and for sale, produced by local members of the Meros Crafts Association, beautifully painted gourds and "toumor" good luck charms amongst others. You will be most welcomed to step by and find out more on women's life in Akhangaran.  AngrenThis thoroughfare on the way to Kokand and the Ferghana Valley certainly doesn't count "charming' among the words to describe it. However, two, three points of interest could make this a stop over on a long drive. The Museum shows displays from the Stone Age through to the present. The miniature showcases on early settlements and the coal mine have been modeled with great care and love for details. Several maps give you an overview over the pre-historic sites of the area Hand made reed furniture is produced by a very nice husband and wife managed small enterprise. Woven baskets and trays make for nice and useful home accessories or gifts and the range of chairs and tables is ever expanding, as they are eager to experiment with new styles Turn left off the main road at the GEOLOG sign and follow the track up to the mine and around the 270 degree bend until you see the lake on your left side. From here a foot path leads past the farm through meadows with striking Central Asian alpine flowers in spring and early summer to a rock face with petrogrlyphs. Climb up to have a closer look at them, even with kids it is not dangerous. You can continue your hike down to the lake. |
