Live Your Best Lives
Do you remember the visa-free agreement signed between my country and Uzbekistan on December 1st of last year? When the news broke, our Central Asia product manager was absolutely blown away… ahem, no, he took off!
Some tourists may also be confused, "Hasn't visa-free travel been implemented for a long time?" and "When will this agreement be officially implemented?"
To answer these questions, Xiaoxia invited Xiao Biezhi, our Central Asia product manager who had just finished leading the team in [Explore the World · Secrets of Central Asia] not long ago, who is thoughtful, meticulous, dedicated, mature, handsome, kind-hearted, capable, and has clear ideas.
ps: Xiao Chizhi, known as the "Little Prince of Central Asia", calls himself "the only man who walked out of hell in China-TravelNote"
Before answering, let's review his experience of leading the team this time~
Q: According to official information, hasn't Uzbekistan already implemented a 10-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese citizens? What's the difference between this mutual exemption?
A little special note: Previously, Uzbekistan unilaterally implemented a 10-day visa-free policy for my country, but with the restrictive condition that one must fly in and out.
After the signing of the mutual visa exemption agreement, there are no restrictions on the means of transportation into Uzbekistan, and the visa-free days have been extended from 10 days to 30 days!
Q: So is the visa-free period now 10 days or 30 days? Has the mutual visa exemption agreement been officially implemented?
A little special: Currently, the 10-day visa-free policy still applies to fly-in, fly-out, and the mutual visa exemption agreement hasn't officially been implemented. However, I have a wide network of contacts in Uzbekistan (I'm just pretending, don't listen to his nonsense, haha), and I've heard rumors and rumors that it will be officially implemented in April or May of this year.
Last question: Why did I have to add “thoughtful, meticulous, dedicated and mature, handsome, kind-hearted, capable, and clear-minded” when introducing you?
Xiao Chic: I really didn’t mean to add this! That’s what customers say, pictures speak louder than words!
Xiaoxia: Okay, you are useless now, go work overtime (just kidding)
Then again, where exactly is Central Asia?
As Liu Zichao said in The Lost Satellite: A Journey into the Central Asian Continent: “The charm of Central Asia lies in its secrecy and unknownness. It is like a lost satellite, quietly floating on the edge of the world.”
When talking about Central Asia, most people probably only know a few “stans” whose full names are difficult to pronounce.
If you take a closer look, you'll find that Central Asia is our neighbor right at our doorstep! (The most familiar stranger is confirmed)
The concept of Central Asia was first proposed by German geographer Alexander von Humboldt in 1843. At that time, it was just a geographical scope: from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Greater Khingan Range in the east, from the Himalayas in the south to the Altai Mountains in the north.
In the 20th century, Central Asia received "official recognition" from the Soviet Union and also carried out a series of "Soviet-style romantic" operations:
1. Promote Central Asia as the "crossroads of Eurasian civilization" (in other words, a repeatedly taxed passage along the Silk Road).
2. Each country has a unique "Stan" suffix (good news for those with OCD)
3. Promote Russian as a common language (leaving some locals still struggling with the question of "Did my ancestors speak a Turkic or Slavic language?")
The Central Asia we often refer to today refers to the five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Here’s another piece of trivia: What does Stan mean?
"Stan" comes from Persian and originally means "land". For example, "Uzbekistan" means "the land of Uzbeks". Doesn't it make sense now?
We are serious about developing quality products for Central Asia! In the past six months, Xiaoxia has sent product teams to Central Asia three times for in-depth field research.
Product team in Central Asia
We have left our footprints in every popular tourist attraction in the four ancient cities of Uzbekistan. We have even visited some cities you have never heard of, such as Nurota and Jizhiduvan, to help you avoid them.
Nurota "Snow Mountain" Landscape
We are also well aware of the limited hotel resources in Central Asia. Whenever we arrive in a city, we spend a lot of time personally testing various hotels, just to find an accommodation experience that suits our products, fits our tone, and meets the needs of tourists.
The product team personally tested hotels in Central Asia
Of course, the very important local guide visits and negotiations are also indispensable. We review and optimize the route itinerary with the local guides, implement the route details, and repeatedly polish and optimize the products, so that everyone can experience more of being a local on vacation rather than just a tourist sightseeing.
After the above efforts, we have currently released a total of 2 Central Asia independent tour products, namely the Uzbekistan route and the Uzbekistan + Turkmenistan dual-country route, so that you can have a worry-free trip!
What? Anyone else want to go to other Central Asian countries? Don't worry, I'll definitely talk to our product managers and get products from other Stan countries up and running as soon as possible.
Let’s first talk about the highlights of our Uzbekistan route!
1️⃣China Southern Airlines offers direct round-trip flights, with nationwide connecting flights available, including a domestic flight, for worry-free travel!
2️⃣ Select local four-star hotels in Tashkent and Samarkand, and stay directly inside the ancient cities of Bukhara and Khiva. Stay two nights in all three places without moving, which is comfortable and convenient!
3️⃣ The tour guide will explain the whole trip in Chinese, taking into account the explanation of the attractions within the itinerary and the local customs and practices outside the itinerary, making the trip truly worthwhile!
For the itinerary, our product manager has carefully selected the highlights of the four ancient cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. You will feel the collision of faith and dynastic changes in front of the ancient mosque, encounter the eternal beauty of the Shah-i-Zinda Tombs, and take an exploration tour of the Registan Square at night.
Our first stop will be the National Museum of Uzbekistan, where experienced and professional guides will help you understand Uzbek history and gain a clearer understanding of your future itinerary.
National Museum of History of Uzbekistan
We'll offer more than just a quick glimpse of the sights; we'll also provide in-depth explorations. For example, we'll take you up the watchtower of the Khan's Palace, where you can admire the panoramic view of the ancient city at sunset, just as the khans did. At Samarkand's most valuable museum, the Afroshab Museum, you'll discover the exchanges between my country and Kang State during the Tang Dynasty.
Mural of Tang Dynasty Envoys in Afroshaber Museum
Of course, I know that everyone will get tired of seeing the same old madrassas, mausoleums, minarets and mosques, so I decided to dig deep into the local special experiences to make your cultural trip less boring!
In Central Asia, many ancient buildings are decorated with colorful mosaic tiles. After admiring so many mausoleums, madrasas, and mosques, and seeing such intricate and exquisite tiles, why not draw your own memories of the Silk Road on the tiles with your own hands!
We will directly book the entire Puppet Museum for you and meet the time craftsmen hidden deep in the ancient city of Bukhara.
We will pay special attention to the buildings restored by China and Uzbekistan, retrace China's restoration path, and witness the oriental craftsmanship of the ancient city of Khiva.
This visual feast was only released in 2018. You can travel through the underground art palace and decipher the Soviet aesthetic code of Tashkent.
The Uzbek national dish, cooked in a 3-meter-diameter cauldron, will give you a double impact on your visual and taste senses. The place is always packed at mealtime, so join our tour group to get a good seat.
Our Uzbekistan + Turkmenistan dual-country route is also full of high energy and excitement!
Don’t believe it? Let’s take a look at the small details in the following product designs:
First, most common itineraries on the market require entering Turkmenistan through the Shavat border crossing near Khiva. The drive from there to Hell's Gate takes at least six hours. I can't even begin to imagine how bumpy the road is, and how complicated the immigration process is! Arriving at Hell's Gate late at night, bleary-eyed, and even the most beautiful scenery is greatly diminished. It's such a waste!
Our small loop route, crossing into Turkmenistan from the Farap border crossing near Bukhara, passes through Mary and Ashgabat, and finally reaches Hell's Gate. This way, you can perfectly time your trip and capture both the sunrise and sunset at Hell's Gate! It's a fantastic photo op!
In addition, we have specially arranged a domestic flight in Uzbekistan, with the terminal in Tashkent, which makes it more convenient for everyone to explore freely and has more round-trip flight options.
Secondly, those who have been to Hell's Gate will definitely know how bad the road conditions are along the way! It is definitely a true "iron butt cultivation story".
In order to protect your safety, we do not use the 7-seater business cars of the low-priced tour groups. Instead, we use specially upgraded 5-seater off-road vehicles from Ashgabat to Hell's Gate and then to the Turkish-Uzbek border. Each off-road vehicle can only seat 3 people, which is comfortable and shock-absorbing.
Finally, in Turkmenistan, where information is scarce, meals are included throughout the trip, saving tourists the inconvenience and potential pitfalls of unfamiliar surroundings. We even arranged a small barbecue in a desolate area like Hell's Gate! Imagine savoring kebabs while feeling the blazing flames—how delicious!
When talking about Central Asia, one cannot avoid mentioning the Silk Road. The ancient Silk Road connected these five "Stans," stretching from grasslands to deserts, from mountains to lakes, from ancient cities to urban areas...
Merchants, believers, and emperors have walked this road. People of all kinds have written legends here, and the flowers of diverse civilizations have blossomed on this land.
🏷️10-day visa-free travel
As early as 2018, Uzbekistan was rated as the best travel destination in Asia by Lonely Planet. Among the five countries in Central Asia, it is our product manager's favorite and has visited it no less than five times in total.
As a vital transit point between the East and the West, Uzbekistan has witnessed a brilliant blend of cultures. Numerous dynasties have left behind stories brimming with mystery and legend, along with 7,400 invaluable cultural heritage sites.
If you come to Uzbekistan, you must visit these four ancient cities with a long history to make your trip worthwhile: Tashkent, a Soviet city where time seems to have stopped; Samarkand, where Timur put all his efforts; Bukhara, which retains the original appearance of the Silk Road; and Khiva, an open-air museum with a history of thousands of years.
A few things you must do in Uzbekistan
✅️Visit Qiongsu Bazar and experience the local people's life under the dome
✅️Taste the national dish pilaf cooked in the world's largest pot at the pilaf center
✅️Walking along the most beautiful Avenue of the Dead in Shah-i-Zinda is like stepping into "One Thousand and One Nights".
✅️Tour the Registan Square at night and experience the splendor of the heart of Samarkand
✅️Watch the sunset over the Kalon Minaret in the ruins of the Yak Castle
🏷️Visa on arrival + invitation letter
Known as the "North Korea of Central Asia," it's the most closed, conservative, and secretive of the five Stan nations. Reaching here is incredibly difficult, with visas incredibly challenging. It's a hidden gem that few in your circle of friends have ventured into.
But this low-key country hides many "world's best": one of the world's ten most spectacular geological wonders, the world's largest Ferris wheel, and the birthplace of the world's oldest horse breed...
Among them, the one that cannot be missed is the "Gate of Hell", which is hidden deep in the Karakum Desert. It is a deep pit with a diameter of more than 70 meters, with blazing flames burning, which is very spectacular.
After a torturous 6-hour drive, a huge pit that was burning red and glowing with heat came into view, and all the feelings of fatigue disappeared.
Product manager Xiao Biezhi said: "After seeing the fire pit, everyone rushed towards the light like a death squad with adrenaline."
Indeed, no matter how many grand scenes you have witnessed, you still cannot control yourself in front of this world wonder that burns tens of thousands of dollars every day.
Standing by the fire pit, the whirlwind blowing through the fiery flames, carrying with it a hint of gas, the only feeling I had was, "It's so warm!" (What a great place to keep warm in winter!)
At first, everyone was shooting life movies at the best spot; in the end, because of the large temperature difference in the desert, everyone was following the wind direction to ensure the "best warming position".
Unfortunately, compared with before, the flames of the Hell's Gate have been getting smaller and smaller. It is very likely that one day in the future the last flame will be blown out by the wind. Tourists who want to see this spectacle really need to hurry!
A few things you must do in Turkmenistan:
✅️Stand in front of the "Gate of Hell" and overlook the flames that have been burning for more than 50 years
✅️Go to the horse farm to admire Turkmenistan's rare national treasure "Ahkhar Ferghana"
✅️Check out a series of magical buildings in Ashgabat, the white city of love
✅️Find the hidden stories of the Seljuk Empire in the ancient city of Merv
🏷️Visa-free
The largest of the five Central Asian countries, it boasts vast grasslands, the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, and red canyons resembling those of Mars...
This giant spanning Europe and Asia perfectly blends nomadic spirit with modern ambitions.
Charyn Canyon
Some people say: "Whatever Kazakhstan has, Xinjiang has too!"
Our product manager believes: "Here, you can find the shadow of every country in the world."
The mountain scenery of northern Xinjiang, the unique Yadan in the northwest, the futuristic buildings of Dubai, the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, the golden desert of Africa... Entering this country is like opening a door to different worlds.
PS: There are really many beauties in Kazakhstan (manual dog head)
Kaindi Lake
A few things you must do in Kazakhstan:
✅️Take the sunset cable car up Koktobe Mountain and overlook the panoramic view of Almaty
✅️Hike in Alatau National Park, where the natural scenery is comparable to that of Altay
✅️Take a trip to Charyn Canyon and experience the red wonders of Mars
✅️In Turkestan, the "Second Mecca", look up at the blue and green dome of the Timurid Empire
🏷️ Visa-free for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong and Macau, conditional visa-free for mainland Chinese citizens (holding valid visas for the US/UK/EU)
A country you may have never heard of! Our product manager predicts: This country will be very popular in the coming year!
From the vast blue waters of Lake Issyk-Kul to the ancient ruins of the Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan boasts pristine natural beauty and a profound nomadic culture.
Lake Issyk-Kul
This is a country on horseback. Today, some locals still lead a traditional pastoral life. The smoke from yurts still rises on the grassland, and the cry of eagles echoes in the canyon.
Altun Alxa Valley
A few things you must do in Kyrgyzstan:
✅️Circle Issyk-Kul Lake and see the blue water reflecting the snow-capped mountains
✅️Visit Tokmak Suiye City and unlock Li Bai's former residence
✅️Hiking in Alxa League, the Central Asian version of Switzerland deep in the Tianshan Mountains
✅️Take a walk around Osh Bazar and experience the lively and exotic atmosphere
Burana Tower
🏷️Electronic signature
It is the smallest country in Central Asia. Initially, our product manager had no interest in it. But after visiting, he discovered that “it’s so interesting!”
Every place is full of surprises: the Pamir Plateau, which is closer to the clouds and more desolate than the Pamirs in Xinjiang; the capital Dushanbe, which has a huge contrast with its well-developed urban infrastructure and strong Soviet atmosphere; Khujand, where you can fully experience the local life and warm smiles of the Tajik people; and the Wakhan Corridor, which faces Afghanistan across the river and has a strong sense of contrast.
A few things you must do in Kyrgyzstan:
✅️Ride the Pamir Highway and experience the cloud-top road that conquers the roof of the world
✅️Hike in the Fann Mountains and encounter snow-capped peaks and beautiful glacial lakes
✅️Visit the ancient city of Panjakent and trace the Sogdian civilization in its ancient ruins
Central Asia, a region often considered understated compared to other regions, hides magnificent natural scenery and rare cultural treasures. While the camel bells of yesteryear are long gone, Central Asia is now more accessible than ever. Why not experience the beauty of these "Stans" for yourself?
