Charming Places To Visit Near Tashkent With Scenic Mountains, Historical Towns And Nature Trails

Chimgan Mountain scenic view with green hills, among peaceful places to visit near Tashkent.

Places to visit near Tashkent offer day trips where you can see more of Uzbekistan without leaving the region. You can head into the mountains, visit a working solar furnace, walk through a village market, or stop by a lake popular with locals. Some are quiet, some are busy on weekends, and each serves a clear purpose beyond sightseeing. The road networks make access easy, and most locations are active parts of daily life in the countryside. You do not need a guide, just time and curiosity.

10 Best Places To Visit Near Tashkent

Here are the most well-known and easily accessible places to visit near Tashkent. Each one offers something specific, be it outdoor activity, local craft, or natural scenery.

1. Charvak Reservoir

Charvak Reservoir with turquoise water and snowy mountains, top places to visit near Tashkent.

Photo: Arina Pan / Wikimedia Commons

One of the most popular places to visit near Tashkent, Charvak Reservoir, draws both locals and regional tourists throughout the year. The artificial lake lies in a natural basin framed by the Ugam, Pskem, and Chatkal mountains. Its shoreline is lined with small resorts, local cafés, and private homes offering short-term stays. In summer, the area sees a rise in water activities like jet skiing, paddle boating, and parasailing. Nearby Beldersay offers a cable car that runs along forested slopes, giving you panoramic views of the reservoir.

Distance From Tashkent: 95.6 km
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
Cost: UZS 10,000 – 50,000 / ₹70 – 400
Major Attractions: Paragliding, jet skiing, mountain views, cable car ride at Beldersay

2. Chimgan Mountains

Snow-covered Chimgan Mountains with the sun setting and highlighting the scenery.

Photo: Галиев Ярослав / Wikimedia Commons

The Chimgan Mountains remain among the most active and scenic places to see near Tashkent, especially for outdoor activities throughout the year. Located in the western part of the Tian Shan range, the area features well-known peaks like Greater Chimgan and accessible trails that suit both casual walkers and experienced hikers. In winter, the slopes attract those coming for snowboarding, skiing, and tubing. During warmer months, horseback riding and trekking routes open up through meadows, pine forests, and rocky paths. The Chimgan cable car, which starts near the village, provides an aerial view of the valley and serves as a starting point for higher climbs.

Distance From Tashkent: 92.8 km
Timings: 24*7
Cost: UZS 30,000 / ₹200 (ski lift)
Major Attractions: Skiing (winter), hiking trails, snowboarding, horse riding

3. Beldersay Resort

Beldersay Valley in spring with green hills and snowy peaks, scenic places to visit near Tashkent.

Photo: German Stimban / Wikimedia Commons

Beldersay is one of the most developed alpine places to visit near Tashkent for winter sports and mountain hikes. The resort area sits at an elevation of over 1,500 metres and includes a chairlift stretching more than three kilometres along the slope. The upper section of the lift connects to high-altitude walking trails and seasonal ski routes that stay in use between late December and early March. The landscape is quieter than Chimgan but more suited to those looking for longer climbs or less-crowded skiing zones. In summer, the hills are used for trekking and field camping.

Distance From Tashkent: 89.8 km
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM (ski lifts)
Cost: UZS 40,000 / ₹270 (ski lift)
Major Attractions: Advanced ski slopes, forest trails, mountain cafes

4. Parkent Solar Furnace

Huge structure of the Parkent solar furnace with its design made of several mirror panels.

Photo: German Stimban / Wikimedia Commons

The solar furnace near Parkent remains one of the few operational sites of its kind, built during the Soviet period for scientific use rather than public tourism. Built during the Soviet period, the site houses the world’s largest solar concentrator. It uses over 10,000 mirror panels to direct sunlight onto a central receiver to produce high temperatures without using gas or electricity. The facility is still active, though limited parts are open to the public by advance permission. Local science groups and universities often organise guided access.

Distance From Tashkent: 52.2 km
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Saturday)
Cost: UZS 25,000 / ₹170 (guided tour)
Major Attractions: Giant solar concentrator, guided science tours

5. Aksakata Waterfall

A narrow waterfall from rocky cliffs into a distant water body, hidden places to visit near Tashkent.

Photo: Arina Pan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Aksakata Waterfall is one of the quiet, natural tourist attractions near Tashkent, set within the Ugam-Chatkal mountain area. To reach the falls, you follow an unpaved path that starts near the roadside and climbs gently through woodland and shallow stream crossings. The waterfall flows strongest during spring and early summer when mountain snow begins to melt. Though the drop is modest, the setting is peaceful, with plenty of shade from overhanging trees. You come across flat rocks where people usually sit, rest, or prepare simple meals using small gas stoves.

Distance From Tashkent: 90 km
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Major Attractions: Hiking route to falls, photography spots, small picnic areas

6. Hodjikent Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs carved on a stone with unique carvings and a shadow covering half of the rock.

Photo: G Edward Johnson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

The Hodjikent Petroglyphs are one of the oldest known attractions near Tashkent, located close to the Chatkal River in a wooded area near the village. The site includes carvings made directly into large, flat stones spread across a sloped hill. These markings show animals, hunters, and human figures, most likely created several thousand years ago. The walk to the site follows part of the riverbank, then continues along a dirt track through rocky ground and sparse bushes. Local residents sometimes guide people to the trail or sell seasonal fruit and tea at roadside stalls near the entrance.

Distance From Tashkent: 55 km
Major Attractions: Ancient rock carvings, river trails, nearby village bazaar

7. Akhangaran Gorge

Akhangaran Reservoir with turquoise water and sandy shores, best places to visit near Tashkent.

Photo: Carpodacus / Wikimedia Commons

Akhangaran Gorge is one of the less-developed places to visit near Tashkent, southeast of the city near Akhangaran town. The gorge runs along a dry stretch of the river, with exposed rock faces, narrow ridges, and shallow gullies. Footpaths used by locals and students cut through the slopes and continue toward open hill tracks. The area is not marked or fenced. From higher ground, the view opens to the steppe beyond. Herbs grow wild along the base, and livestock graze nearby during dry months. Access is possible via local roads through the Akhangaran industrial zone, with the final stretch turning into unpaved gravel.

Distance From Tashkent: 50 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Rock formations, fossil-rich layers, narrow ridges, quiet hiking routes, and riverbed trails

8. Khumsan Village

Town with similar looking buildings surrounded by greenery and hidden in between valleys.

Photo: Stephen Burton / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Khumsan is one of the few places to visit near Tashkent where rural life continues without alteration. The village lies in a shallow valley, bordered by hills and open forest edges. Several homes still use handlooms, and fabric can be seen drying on ropes tied across courtyards. Bread is baked in clay ovens outside the kitchens. Meals are served in small teahouses that cook with local meat, onions, carrots, and garden vegetables. There are no formal shops in the village. Families sell dried apricots, mountain herbs, and woven cloth directly from their porches or wooden tables.

Distance From Tashkent: 80 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Traditional Uzbek homes, weaving workshops, rustic food spots

9. Tuyabuguz Reservoir

Tuyabuguz Reservoir with gentle waves and sandy shores, beautiful places to visit near Tashkent.

Photo: Carpodacus / Wikimedia Commons

Tuyabuguz Reservoir, also known as Tashmore Lake, is one of the most frequented places to visit near Tashkent for local families on weekends. It functions as a water supply but is also used for swimming, fishing, and outdoor meals. The lakeshore has flat, open ground where groups set up mats or small tents. Some bring their own grills; others buy food from stalls near the main entrance. Fresh non-bread, skewered meat, and tea are sold from makeshift setups. The road to the dam is paved, and cars park close to the edge.

Distance From Tashkent: 52.6 km
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
Major Attractions: Lakeside picnic spots, boating, local food stalls

10. Suffa Plateau Observatory

Suffa Plateau Observatory with a large telescope dome surrounded by vast open landscapes.

Photo: Kelly / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Suffa Plateau Observatory is one of the highest-altitude places to visit near Tashkent, though access is restricted and must be arranged through research institutions. The observatory sits on the Suffa Plateau, near the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border, at over 2,500 metres above sea level. It was originally designed for space and atmospheric research during the Soviet era and includes a large radio telescope dome. Though construction was never fully completed, the site remains active for specialised observation projects. The surrounding plateau is barren and wind-exposed, with no trees or permanent settlements.

Distance From Tashkent: 100 km
Major Attractions: Astronomical research dome, remote mountain views

The places to visit near Tashkent offer a blend of natural beauty, history, and authentic local life, all within a few hours’ journey. These spots are not tourist traps—they are living, breathing places where people farm, work, and relax. Walk through vibrant villages, rest by peaceful reservoirs, or hike scenic mountain trails used by locals. Discover the charm beyond Tashkent with TripXL and experience Uzbekistan’s rich culture up close.

Cover Photo: German Stimban / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Charvak, Chimgan, Kibray, and Tuyabuguz can be reached on your own. Parkent Solar Furnace accepts visitors only through prior contact. Suffa Plateau is off-limits without written clearance. No official guides are stationed at any of these places, including heritage or nature sites.
UZS 50,000 to 100,000 per person usually covers fuel, food, and activity costs like ski lifts or boat rides. Mountain areas may cost more if you rent gear. Most places do not accept cards, so carry cash in small denominations.
Chimgan and Beldersay remain in use during winter, mainly for skiing and snowboarding. Access roads are cleared but can be icy after snow. Tuyabuguz and Khumsan are open but less active, and most outdoor paths become muddy or frozen after December.
Charvak Reservoir and Tuyabuguz Reservoir are best for swimming, boating, and water sports during the summer season, with rental options available on-site.
No permits are required for Akhangaran Gorge or Hodjikent Petroglyphs, but access to the Suffa Plateau Observatory requires special permission from authorities.

Recommended Articles

Leave a Reply

Top Travel Destinations by Month