Navoi Region, Uzbekistan
Navoi region is relatively young in comparison with other regions of Uzbekistan. Its administrative center is Navoi city. The total area of the region is 110.91 thousand sq. Km; the population is 942,843 people.
A brief history of Navoi
Earlier, on the site of Navoi city, there was Karmana village, which had once been a part of the Bukhara Khanate. In 1958, according to a government decision, the construction of a mining and metallurgical plant began in the area of the village, and a new city was founded, which was named Navoi, in honor of the famous Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi.
Nature of Navoi region
The nature of the Navoi region is diverse, with the Kyzylkum desert in the northwest, the Nurata mountain range in the southeast, and rich and diverse agricultural fields in the middle of the Zarafshan River. Along with the Zarafshan River, many large water sources, such as Aydarkul, Shurkul, Todakol, contribute to the diversity of the nature of the region.
The region is rich in natural resources, including non-ferrous metals and construction raw materials. Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine is one of the world’s largest producers of pure gold. There are also large enterprises such as JSC “Navoiyazot”, the joint venture “Electrochemical Plant”, JSC “Navoi Thermal Power Plant”, JSC “Qizilqumtcement”.
Present-day Navoi
Due to its convenient geographical location, the Uzbek government established “Navoi – a free Industrial Economic Zone” in 2008. It has a wide range of activities with foreign partners such as South Korea, India, China, and Singapore. An international intermodal logistics center has been set up at Navoi Airport, which carries out cargo transportation to various countries in cooperation with Uzbekistan Airways and Korean Air.
Although Navoi is a young and prosperous region, it has an ancient and unique history that has made a significant contribution to human civilization.
Tourism and tourist sights in the Navoi region
Navoi region – along with Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm regions – is among the favorite places for tourists to visit. It has tremendous historical, cultural, and ethnographic potential. There are about 35 archaeological monuments, 71 architectural monuments, 32 monuments of monumental art, and 8 museums.
A trip to Navoi region and having an excursion of the unique nature, unique historical and architectural monuments of antiquity are really exciting: Rabat Malik caravanserai, unique Sardoba water reservoir, Kasimshaikh complex, Mavlono Orif Deggaroniy mosque, Chashma complex, the ruined fortress of Alexander the Great, the Sentob village (which is rightfully called the “local Switzerland”), Dungalak Kazakh shepherd village still leading semi-nomadic style of life, and the world-famous open-air museum – the repository of petroglyphs Sarmyshsay gorge.
Tourism is developing along Tudakul and Aydarkul lakes. So, recreational areas including beach zones and new routes are coming up on the southern coast of the Tudakul reservoir which has 65 hectares of land. Yangikazgan yurt camping, camel riding, and fishing await guests in the Aydarkul lake which has 4 hectares of land for tourism.
CBT tourism is blooming in Navoi Region, especially, in Sentob and Nurata.
List of sites to visit in the Navoi region:
- Alexander the Great fortress (IV century BC);
- Chashma complex;
- Chordara castle (V century BC);
- Dungalak village;
- Kasim Sheikh complex (XVI century);
- Mavlono Orif Deggaroniy mosque (XI century);
- Mir Said Bakhrom Mausoleum (X-XI centuries)
- Nurota/Nurata;
- Rabat Malik caravanserai (XI century);
- Sardoba water reservoir (XI century);
- Tash Mosque and Vangazi Minaret (XVI century).
We are suggesting some of our below tour programs with Navoi region’s sights:
- Two days trekking in Yangikazgan (2 days / 1 night)
- Hiking tour to Uhum (2 days / 1 night)
- Hiking tour to Sentyab (3 days / 2 nights)
- Hiking tour to Asraf & Uhum (3 days / 2 nights)
- Hiking tour to Uhum & Hayat (3 days / 2 nights)
- Hiking tour to Hayat-Uhum-Asraf (4 days / 3 nights)