Today, seven sites located in Uzbekistan, including three transboundary ones, are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Each of these sites plays a key role in the development of tourist routes, contributing to an increase in the flow of international visitors and opening up new opportunities for business, the hospitality sector, service industries, and transport infrastructure.
Itchan Kala in Khiva is an open-air museum city that has preserved the atmosphere of a medieval Eastern town. Walking through its streets, travelers feel as if they are stepping back in time into the history of Islamic architecture, where mosques, madrasahs, and 19th-century palaces stand side by side. Bukhara, one of the oldest cities in the region, retains the character of a true cultural hub along the Silk Road. The Ismail Samani Mausoleum, majestic 17th-century madrasahs, and historic minarets make the city a standout destination for cultural tourism. Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane), attracts visitors with monuments from the Timurid era, when the city served as a center of political and spiritual life. Samarkand, recognized as a crossroads of cultures, remains a symbol of the convergence of civilizations. The Registan ensemble, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Ulugh Beg’s observatory are widely recognized as Uzbekistan's most iconic landmarks, representing the country on the world stage.
In addition to cultural sites, several natural sites in Uzbekistan have also been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Western Tien-Shan, known for its rich biodiversity, is a popular destination for ecotourism and trekking. Here, visitors can encounter rare species of flora and fauna, and explore the natural environment where many globally known fruit trees originated. The temperate deserts of the Turan region amaze travelers with their extreme natural conditions and diverse ecosystems — this destination is becoming especially appealing to adventure seekers and eco-tourism enthusiasts. The Zarafshan–Karakum Corridor of the Silk Road, which historically connected East and West, offers tourists the opportunity to follow ancient caravan routes that for centuries served as arteries of trade and cultural exchange.
Each of these sites not only serves as a foundation for tourism routes but also plays a key role in promoting Uzbekistan’s brand on the international stage. The popularization of World Heritage sites enhances interest in the country among foreign tour operators, contributes to an increase in international visitor numbers, creates new jobs, and makes a significant contribution to economic development. Tourism is becoming more than just a service sector — it is emerging as a strategic resource for strengthening Uzbekistan’s image as an open, modern, and dynamically developing country.
Special attention is being given to the development of sustainable tourism. The inclusion of natural sites on the World Heritage List highlights the importance of preserving unique ecosystems, while cultural monuments serve as a reminder of the need to safeguard historical heritage for future generations. This approach makes tourism not only attractive to visitors, but also aligned with environmental sustainability and cultural diplomacy. In this context, it is especially symbolic that in 2025, Samarkand will host the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference. This major event will be held outside the French capital for the first time in 40 years. The forum will bring together delegates from nearly 200 countries and will serve as a unique platform to showcase Uzbekistan’s tourism potential. For the country, this event marks an important step in strengthening its status as a center of global tourism and a crossroads of civilizations, opening new horizons for industry growth and international cooperation.