Uzbekistan’s tourist attractions all the famous ancient places to visit in Uzbekistan

holy cities of Islam. It was a large religious center in the Middle Ages, with over 350 mosques and 80 madrasahs (Islamic colleges), many of which survive. All the streets in Bukhara lead to the central historic complex Lyab-i Hauz (also spelled Lyab-i Khauz, Lyabi Khauz, Lyabi Hauz), where besides magnificent architectural monuments by a hauz pond a number of cozy restaurants and teahouses are located. Among the numerous attractions in Bukhara stand out the famous Kalyan Minaret (also Minorai Kalon, Minara-i Kalan), the impressive ancient Ark Fortress, functioning medieval bathhouses and domed shopping arcades. There over 140 architectural monuments in the city!

SIGHTSEEINGS OF KHIVA

 

Khiva, once a major city of ancient Khorezm (also spelled Khwarezmia, Khwarizm, Khwarazm, Khwarezm, Khoresm, Khorasam, Harezm, Horezm, and Chorezm) features an almost intact medieval Central Asian historic city being preserved as it was in the past - Ichan-Kala (‘inner city’). Although protected by the state and having the status of a museum reserve, Ichan-Kala is populated with real people, mainly artisans. You can occasionally smell frying meat and onion there, for instance, or see children running about. It is real pleasure to stroll along its cobbled streets, visiting Juma Mosque with its 112 wooden pillars covered with beautiful carvings, Kunya-Ark Fortress with its most interesting exhibits, or Islam Khodja Minaret where you can climb narrow spiral stairs to have a terrific Ichan-Kala panoramic view.

Kunya-Ark Fortress Pakhlavan Mahmud architectural complex

SIGHTSEEINGS OF SHAKHRISABZ

 

Shakhrisabz (‘green city’; also spelled Shahrisabz, Shahr-i Sabz), the home town of Tamerlane (Timur), features a number of architectural monuments built in his and his dynasty times. They are the grand remains of the summer palace Ak Saray (‘white palace’; also spelled Aq Sarai, Aksaray, Aqsaray, Aksarai, Aqsaray) dating from 1380, the memorial complex Dorus Saodat (‘seat of power and might’; 14th c. - 15th c.; also spelled Dorussaodat, Dorus Siadat, Dorussiadat, Dar al-Sayadah; also known as Hazrat-i Imam Complex) where two Tamerlane’s sons were buried and where a crypt intended for him was built, the memorial complex Dorut Tillavat (‘contemplation place’; 14th c. - 15th c.; also spelled Doruttillavat, Dorut Tillyavat, Doruttillyavat, Dar al-Tilavah) where Tamerlane’s father rests, and the Friday communal prayer mosque Kok Gumbaz (‘blue dome’) built by order of Ulugbek, Tamerlane’s grandson, in 1437. Thoroughly restored and reconstructed, these architectural monuments are perfect examples of Central Asian Islamic architecture of the Timurid times. They were meant to contribute to making Tamerlane’s home town and the second capital of his huge empire as beautiful as Samarkand.

SIGHTSEEINGS OF MARGILAN

 

Margilan is situated in the southern part of the Fergana valley, 9 km from the city of Fergana, the administrative centre of the province. The city of Margilan which is over 2,000 years old was one of the earliest urban communities that sprang up in the Fergana valley (Old Margilan) and an important point on the Great Silk Road (Route).

SIGHTSEEINGS OF TERMEZ

 

There are a lot of historical and architectural monuments around the southernmost Uzbekistan city of Termez. They date back to various times, with the earliest of them having lasted since the Kushan Kingdom of the 1st century. Among them stand out the ancient settlement site Dalverzintepe - the oldest Buddhist structure in Uzbekistan, Karatepa Complex and the Buddhist stupa Zurmala, and the monuments showing the expansion of Islam in Central Asia: Kyrk-Kyz Fortress showing great medieval architectural mastery, the khanqah (Sufi monastery and hospice) Kukildor-Ota - one of the most venerated Termez sights, the splendid architectural ensemble Sultan Saodat, and Khakim-at-Termezi Mausoleum, which is worshipped by Muslims all over the world.

SIGHTSEEINGS OF KHOREZM

 

The civilisation of Khorezm, the most ancient in the territory of Central Asia, appeared in the lower course of the Amudarya River at the border with the Kyzylkum desert in the mid-2nd millennium BC. The civilisation of Khorezm gave birth to the unique Khorezmian culture, which is sometimes considered as significant as that of Egypt and Babylon and which left after it priceless heritage - cities lost in sands, majestic fortresses and one of the most ancient world religions, Zoroastrianism. Avesta, the holy book of the Zoroastrians, had been written in the territory of Greater Khorezm, where the scouts from the Ahnenerbe were searching for the mythical Asgard and Soviet archaeologists found a series of fortresses and a network of interconnected ancient irrigation canals buried under the sands of the Kyzylkum. The territory of Ellikkala District features over 200 archaeological sites, the largest and most famous of which are Toprak-kala, Ayaz-kala and Mizdahkan. In total, there were over 1,000 fortresses in ancient Khorezm, most of which, situated in inaccessible areas amidst white-hot sands and lifeless solonchaks remain almost unstudied today. Wrapped in numerous legends, the enchanted realm of silent ruins and tumbledown towers attracts crowds of those who like antiquity and search for historical truth.

UZBEKISTAN BAZAARS

 

It is impossible to think about Asia without bazaars - just like the sky without moon or a teahouse without tea. Asian bazaars were the Great Silk Road crossroads stars, cultural melting pots. They were not only trade locations; they were centers of attraction and development of various cultures, interaction of peoples, exchange of ideas and languages. Asian bazaars - like the crystallized grape sugar navat - are the locations where the nation’s soul is concentrated. Their facets reflect the gist of Central Asian life and existence.

Uzbekistan bazaars differ in designs and layouts. They are open or roofed, with parallel, perpendicular, round rows of stalls, or one-line rows along a city’s major road or a river. The sale spots are as various as cloths on the ground, stalls and shops, and even luxurious illuminated shop windows for some of them.
Only in Asia you can see how one of the oldest economical principle saying ‘trade is the engine of civilization’ works. Besides anything else, the key to start this engine is bargaining. You can take an active part it; bargaining is always welcome. It is bad manners to shop at a bazaar without bargaining. One Thousand and One Nights Sheherazade still holds a lot of miracles in store for you. Asian bazaars is one of them.

Ancient cities of Uzbekistan - Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List delight tourists with historical architectural monuments that inhaled spirit of the Great Silk Road caravans. Though sights of Uzbekistan are not only about monumental madrasas and minarets, mausoleums of rulers and spiritual leaders.

Nature of Uzbekistan, its traditions, culture, cuisine and handicrafts are amazingly diverse.

National crafts of Uzbekistan deserve a separate story: silk fabrics and carpets, bright ceramics and oriental knives, wood carving and metal coinage, lacquered miniatures and golden embroidery, famous suzanes and old styles of embroidery ‘basma’ and ‘iroqi’, paper production according to an ancient technology and construction of seismic-stable houses from clay.

Uzbek cuisine that at the behast of destiny turned out to be at the crossroads of the culinary preferences of civilizations and absorbed the best of centuries in itself. Talk about the sights of Uzbekistan is impossible without touching gastronomic attractions. Plov (also known as polo, pollo, pilav, pilau, plov, pulao, polu and palaw), bread, sweets - the list is endless. Besides, there is a specialization in dishes: there are centres of plov, or lagman (homemade noodle soup with seasonal vegetable topping) places, shashlik (local barbeque) spots and samsa (also known as samosa) stalls. Each city has many chayhanas (tea-houses), every chayhana has quails singing in it, canals with honey melons cooling in them, and gardens are there with ripe peaches, pomegranate and grapes.

Natural landmarks of Uzbekistan are so that in winter one can do mountains sports; in summer eco tours on camels in the desert and swim in a mountain lake; and in autumn practice some paragliding in Chimgan mountains or have a walk on the shrinking Aral sea bed in Karakalpakstan.

You should definitely find some time to visit museums: Savitsky Museum in Nukus, Local History Museum in Kokand, “Afrosiyab” Museum in Samarkand, House-Museum of Fayzula Khodjaev in Bukhara and Locomotive Museum in Tashkent. There are dozens of them - choose to your interests.

Uzbekistan Tours

Our Uzbekistan group tours, private trips, and travel packages take you to the greatest cities of the Silk Road: Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara. The centres of these cities are intact versions of ancient Silk Road cities, where you can wander through alleyways and monuments and see these cities as they looked centuries ago. Recognizing their impressive architecture, atmospheres, and value to humanity, UNESCO has designated them to be World Heritage Sites.

As part of our Uzbekistan tours and holiday packages we offer a wide range of activities in addition to visiting historical sights: you can ride a camel in the Kyzylkum Desert, stay in a yurt, taste (or even cook) the best pilaf, or meet master-craftsmen as they make silk fabric in Margilan or pottery in Gijduvan. If you prefer an active holiday,

мUzbekistan Cultural Tours

Explore local culture and traditions of the Uzbek people and discover ancient cities of Uzbekistan with private tours tailored to your interests and schedule. Enjoy Uzbekistan’s hospitable culture, medieval architecture and delicious cuisine.

Uzbekistan Religious Tours

The itineraries of religious tours in Uzbekistan include, but are not limited to, Buddhist monasteries, Sufi medieval mansions, Zoroastrian monuments, and Islamic architecture in Central Asia.

Central Asia Tours

Explore Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in one trip or create a trip to any combination of these countries. We will gladly arrange a tailored Central Asia tour or offer existing tours that meet your needs.

Uzbekistan Mountain Tours

From deep canyons to towering waterfalls, broad meadows to rock carvings, choose a mountain tour to create an unforgettable adventure. Spend your days hiking and your nights around a campfire, or try something out of your comfort zone!

Tashkent - Capital of Uzbekistan

General information about Tashkent

Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and is a metropolis of over 2.5 million people. The city is set out as a grid of straight, wide streets and avenues, interspersed with many green areas (parks, squares, and gardens) and fountains.

This marvelous city embodies the modern elegance of many other capitals of the world; at the same time, as an eastern city, Tashkent has its own unique flavour. It tastefully combines medieval buildings that look like they’re from the pages of ancient oriental tales, with elegant European architecture from the time of the Turkestan governorship, concrete ‘blocks’ from the Soviet era and, finally, sparkling high-rise commercial buildings made of glass and concrete that represent a new era of independent Uzbekistan.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Pictures

Alisher Navoi Theater

Tashkent Chimes

Amir Temur Museum

More pictures of Tashkent, Uzbekistan

History of Tashkent

Tashkent is one of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road between China and Europe. The earliest references to Tashkent as a city settlement appeared in written sources in the 2nd century BC. In the Chinese annals the city is called Yueni or Shi; in the records of the Persian king, Shampur, it appears as Chach; and in other Arabic sources, Shash. The name Tashkent first appeared in Turkish documents of the 9th to 12th centuries.

From ancient times, a favourable geographical position and mild climate made Tashkent one of the main Silk Road cities. In the 14–15th centuries it was the part of the Timurid Empire, and in the 16th century it was under the control of the Sheibanids dynasty. In 1865, after the conquest of Mikhail Chernyaev, Russian military leader, the city became under the rule of the Russian Empire and Russian government was established here. In 1930 Tashkent was declared the capital of Uzbekistan, former Uzbek SSR.

What to do in Tashkent

Tashkent sights

Many of Tashkent’s tourist sights are concentrated in the Old City, which is one of the few districts that has preserved its traditional culture in the rapidly-changing metropolis. The spirit of old Tashkent lives here, in the cozy courtyards of the hospitable mahallahs, the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, and the blue domes of the Khast Imam complex. In this part of the city there are artisans, teahouses, and bakeries.

Other Tashkent sights worth visiting include the Tashkent TV Tower, the German Church, the Polish Church, Amir Temur Square with the famous Tashkent astronomical clock, Independence Square, and the former residence of Prince Romanov, which was designed by architects Benoit and Heinzelmann.

Tashkent also boasts the first metro system in Central Asia. The Tashkent metro is not only a fast, affordable, and comfortable way to move around the city, but also an architectural monument. Each of the 29 stations has an original design - such as the Cosmonauts station, designed in a space theme, to the Alisher Navoi station with its walls artfully decorated with stories and characters from the works of the poet.

The Zangiata Mausoleum, where one of the Muslim saints, Sheikh Ai-Khoja, and his wife, Ambar Bibi, are buried, is located 15 kilometres from Tashkent. This is one of the religious sites visited most frequently by residents of and visitors to Tashkent.

Tashkent museums

As Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent is also the country’s cultural centre. It boasts many interesting museums and exhibition halls with a variety of collections and expositions.

The exhibits of the State Museum of History trace Uzbekistan’s history from the early Paleolithic period to the present day. The Museum of Applied Art showcases an impressive collection of Uzbek carpets, ceramics, textiles, and other handicrafts. The State Museum of Art, the Amir Timur Museum, and the Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment also offer interesting collections. In the Polytechnical Museum, visitors will find displays on automotive history, and many unusual interactive exhibits. Lovers of literature will be interested in the house-museums of Sergei Yesenin and Anna Akhmatova. 

Tashkent theatres

A highlight of Tashkent’s cultural life is the Ilkhom Theatre, which is known for experimental performances and its unusual interpretations of classical works. This theatre also hosts concerts, exhibitions of young artists, and festivals, the most famous of which is the Ilkhom Rock Fest. The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre named after Alisher Navoi, and the Academic Russian Drama Theatre, host more traditional productions of ballets, operas, and music. Tashkent, like many other Uzbek cities, also has a strong tradition of puppet shows. Performances are held at the Silk Road Marionettes Theatre and the Republican Puppet Theatre.

Entertainment, parks, and shopping in Tashkent

Entertainment in Tashkent is diverse, with something to suit everyone.

Parks of Tashkent

Walkers will love Tashkent’s parks, which are particularly beautiful in spring, early summer, and autumn.

Ecopark was the first park in Tashkent to embody the principles of “green” construction in its layout and architecture. There are no fairground rides, but visitors can avoid the hustle and bustle of the city as they walk along neat paths, picnic on the grass, or do yoga.

The refurbished Central Park (formerly Telman Park) offers shady alleys with benches, and modern European attractions for children and adults - including the first authentic French carousel in Uzbekistan. Central Park regularly holds free public festivals and other events.

Ankhor Lokomotiv Park boasts the highest ferris wheel in Uzbekistan, which offers a breathtaking view of the capital.

Shopping in Tashkent

To combine shopping and entertainment, visit the Samarkand Darvaza, Mega Planet, Next, Parus, and Compass shopping and entertainment centres. These offer modern facilities including food courts, cinemas, children’s play areas, and many shops selling international brands.

The charm of shopping oriental style—with friendly sellers and stalls laden with fresh vegetables and fruits, fragrant spices, hot lepeshka (non) bread, and all kinds of goods—lives in Tashkent’s vibrant bazaars. Chorsu and Alay Bazaars are the most popular among tourists.

Food in Tashkent

Tashkent’s numerous cafes and restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines including European, Russian, Asian (such as Korean, Chinese, and Indian), Middle Eastern, Caucasian, and, of course, Uzbek.

Uzbek cuisine

On almost every street there are teahouses and cafes (“Milliy Taomlar”, which means “national dishes” in Uzbek) serving traditional dishes  like shashlik, shawarma, samsa, plov, naryn, manti, lagman, and shurpa. These venues offer high-quality, delicious, local foods at reasonable prices.

At the Chorsu Bazaar are another gastronomic highlight on the map of Tashkent: many food stalls serving all the famous Uzbek dishes at very low prices.

The most delicious plov (pilaf) in Tashkent is served at the Central Asian Plov Centre (Osh Markazi). People from all over the city come here to eat, and in just a couple of hours the huge cauldrons become empty.

Vegetarian restaurants

Tashkent does not have any dedicated vegetarian restaurants, but several restaurants serve vegetarian dishes such as delicious salads, vegetable dumplings, samsa, pizza, and pasta.

Coffee houses, bakeries, and patisseries

Recently, Tashkent has become a very comfortable city for coffee lovers: there are now many western-style coffee shops in the capital.  Café-bakeries where customers can buy freshly-baked bread, baguettes, croissants, cakes, and pastries, are also flourishing.

City transport in Tashkent

Tashkent’s transport infrastructure is quite well-developed.

Public transport

Buses and minibuses are the cheapest way to move around Tashkent, with routes to almost all parts of the city. For now, there is no convenient, complete system or website for tracking routes and bus schedules in Tashkent.

Tashkent’s metro system is a fast, affordable, and comfortable way to travel. However, the existing network is limited mainly to the central areas of the city. Trains depart from the stations every 3-4 minutes during rush hour and about every 20 minutes in the evenings.

All public transport in Tashkent operates until 22:00.

Taxis

Taxis are also a popular way to travel around Tashkent. It is easy to flag down taxis on the road or order them through one of the official taxi services. Smartphone apps such as Yandex or MyTaxi are very convenient.

Car rental

Car rental services exist in Tashkent. Cars should be ordered at least a day in advance. It is advisable to book further in advance during the peak tourist season, when there may be a shortage of cars.

Other modes of transport

Bicycles can also be rented, but there is no system of bicycle lanes yet.

How to get to Tashkent

Flying is the most convenient way to get to Tashkent from other countries. The city is served by several international airlines, such as Aeroflot, Air Astana, Asiana Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Korean Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Somon Air, and Turkish Airlines. The national airline, Uzbekistan Airways, offers regular flights to many European, Asian, and North American cities including Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, London, New York, Paris, Seoul, and Tel Aviv. It also flies to many CIS countries, as well as within Uzbekistan.

Although most international visitors arrive by air, Tashkent can also be reached by train from Russia or Kazakhstan. Trains are mainly used for travel within Uzbekistan, with regular trains between Tashkent and Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, and other cities.

Languages spoken in Tashkent

Uzbekistan’s national language is Uzbek, with Russian used in Tashkent for international communication. Maps, tourist information, restaurant menus, and signs in Tashkent are mainly in Russian, and guides in museums are Russian-speaking. 

English is not as common as Russian, although more and more people, especially young people, are learning it. Most hotels, restaurants, and other tourist sites in Tashkent have someone who can speak at least basic English.

Currency in Tashkent

The main currency used in Tashkent is the Uzbek som. The most popular foreign currency is the US dollar, and the second most popular is the euro. The Russian ruble is less widely-used and may suffer from a poor exchange rate.

Foreign exchange bureaus operate at hotels, as well as in all banks. Many ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard.

Security in Tashkent

Tashkent is a peaceful, welcoming, and safe city for travelling alone, as well as for family or group holidays. Nevertheless, all visitors should take standard security precautions and avoid leaving belongings unattended.

In busy public areas, such as metro stations, parks, shopping centres, and bazaars, there are many law enforcement officers. Be prepared to be stopped by police on the street and asked for your passport and registration documents (although such requests are now less frequent than they used to be).

Links Related to Tashkent Uzbekistan

We can find many things around us, from mountains and oceans to plants and animals. The earth in which we live is made up of several things. These “things” can be categorized into two different types – Living and Non-living Things.
All living things breathe, eat, grow, move, reproduce and have senses.
Non-living things do not eat, grow, breathe, move and reproduce. They do not have senses.
Living things have “life,” though some might not show its evident signs. For instance, a tree would probably not react the same way a human would. It would not react when we hit it, and it might not be able to walk around. Though the signs of life displayed by them are not very observable, it does not make them non-living.
Let us have a detailed look at the important characteristics of living and non-living things and the difference between the two.
Living things
Living things exist and are alive and are made of microscopic structures called cells. They grow and exhibit movement or locomotion. They experience metabolism, which includes anabolic and catabolic reactions.
Living things are capable of producing a new life which is of their own kind through the process of reproduction. Living things have a particular life span and are not immortal.
Cellular Respiration enables living organisms to acquire energy which is used by cells to perform their functions. They digest food for energy and also excrete waste from the body. Their life cycle can be summarised as follows – birth, growth, reproduction and death.
Examples of living things are animals, birds, insects, human beings.
Also Read: Living things
Characteristics of Living Things

Characteristics of Living Things

Following are the important characteristics of living things:
Living things exhibit locomotory motion, they move. Animals are able to move as they possess specialized locomotory organs, for example – Earthworms move through the soil surface through longitudinal and circular muscles. Plants move in order to catch sunlight for photosynthesis
Living things respire. Respiration is a chemical reaction, which occurs inside cells to release energy from the food. Transport of gases takes place. The food that is ingested through the process of digestion is broken down to release energy that is utilized by the body to produce water and carbon dioxide as by-products.
Living things are sensitive to touch (and other stimuli as well) and have the capability to sense changes in their environment.
They grow. Living things mature and grow through different stages of development.
One of the striking features is that living things are capable of producing offsprings of their own kind through the process of reproduction, wherein genetic information is passed from the parents to the offsprings.
They acquire and fulfil their nutritional requirements to survive through the process of nutrition and digestion, which involves engulfing and digesting the food. Some living organisms are also autotrophic, which means they can harness the sun’s energy to make their food (also known as autotrophs).
The digested food is eliminated from the body through the process of excretion.
Also Read: Characteristics Of Organisms
Non Living things
Non-living things are not alive. They do not possess life. They do not have cells and do not grow or show locomotion/movement. They do not undergo metabolism with anabolic and catabolic reactions. They do not reproduce.
Non-living things do not have a life span. They do not respire as they do not require food for energy and hence do not excrete. They do not fall into any cycle of birth, growth or death. They are created and destroyed by external forces.
Examples of non-living things include stone, pen, book, cycle, bottle, etc.
Characteristics Of Non-living Things
The important characteristics of non-living things are mentioned below:
Non-living things are lifeless. They do not have cells, and there is no protoplasm which forms the basis for life to exist.
Lack of protoplasm leads means no metabolic activities.
They do not have a definite and certain size of their own. They take the shape of the substance they are contained in, for example, a liquid takes the shape of its container. Stones, rocks and boulders are moulded by the changing environment and landscape. The change in the state of a non-living thing is due to an external influence.
Non-living things “grow” by accretion. It occurs through adding materials externally. For example, A snowball may increase in size due to the accumulation of smaller units of its own to its outer surface.
Non-living things never die as they do not have cells with a definite lifespan. Immortality is a distinguishing factor.
Fundamental life processes such as reproduction, nutrition, excretion, etc. are absent in non-living things.
Difference between Living and Non-living things
Here are some of the major differences between living and non-living things:
Living ThingsNon-Living ThingsThey possess life.They do not possess life.Living things are capable of giving birth to their young one.Non-living things do not reproduce.For survival, living things depend on water, air and food.Non-living things have no such requirementsLiving things are sensitive and responsive to stimuli.Non-living things are not sensitive and do not respond to stimuli.Metabolic reactions constantly occur in all living things.There are no metabolic reactions in Non-living things.Living organisms undergo growth and development.Non-living things do not grow or develop.They have a lifespan and are not immortal.They have no lifespan and are immortal.Living things move from one place to another.Non-living things cannot move by themselves.They respire and exchange of gases takes place in their cells.Non-living things do not respire.Example: Humans, animals, plants, insects.Example: Rock, pen, buildings, gadgets.
Criteria for Differentiating Living things from Non-living things
For easy differentiation between living things and non-living things, scientists have come up with traits or characteristics that are unique to them.
The criterion for classification is necessary to avoid the wrong grouping. Hence, science developed a basis for classification. Anything that has life is considered as living beings.
For example– humans, trees, dogs, etc.
Things which have no life in it are considered as non-living.
For example– stone, mountain, watch, etc.
Scientists have discovered a few criteria for differentiating living things from non-living things.
Here are some of them:
Living beings can grow and develop.
Living beings obtain and use energy.
Living beings adapt to their environment.
All living beings are made of one or more cells.
Living beings respond to their environment or stimuli.
All living things excrete to remove waste material from the body.
Living beings have the ability to give birth to their young ones through the process of reproduction.
All living beings require energy to perform different metabolic activities, and they gain energy from food/ nutrition.
All living beings, apart from plants, move from one place to another. This type of movement is called locomotion.
All living beings, including humans, animals, plants, birds, and insects, require oxygen gas to breath and produce energy.
If something obeys a few of the rules, it cannot be categorized as a living thing. It has to follow all the given rules stringently. For example, an icicle, although it grows (increase its mass or length), is still a non-living thing since it cannot reproduce, or respond to stimuli.
Non-living things do not have any of the life processes, unlike living beings.
Also Read: What is Living
Learn more about living things, non-living things, characteristics of living and non-living things and the difference between living and non-living things at BYJU’S Biology.

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Cities

Below the surface: 9 incredible underground cities

Underground cities are the fascinating foundations that uncover the secrets of life above. While many of these subterranean worlds have become obsolete, others are fully functional urban spaces
Image:
Poland's secret underground city, Wieliczka Salt Mine, is a complex labyrinth of chambers and passageways spread across nine floors

Olivia Burchea

11. February 2019 7 mins read
Hidden passageways, ancient tunnels, illicit activities, and ghastly rumors and urban legends – the underground teems with magical stories of a life that once was, and activities few people ever heard about. Check out these 9 amazing underground cities around the world.
Derinkuyu, Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia city, located in central Turkey, is home to no less than 36 underground cities, and at a depth of approx. 85 m, Derinkuyu is the deepest. Discovered in 1963, the subterranean network of tunnels and rooms include all the institutions and rooms you would find in a regular city: living quarters, stables, churches, storage rooms, refectories, and wineries – and the underground is said to have possibly held more than 20,000 people.

Opened to the public in 1965, only 10% of the underground city is accessible for visitors. Unique to Derinkuyu is the cruciform church located between the third and fourth level and the barrel-vaulted ceiling.
Since there isn’t a lot of information hanging around on-site, book a guided tour and start exploring.
Read more: Cappadocia’s cave hotels
Find a flight to nearby Konya
Shanghai Tunnels, Portland, United States

Portland has its own underground city known as the Shanghai Tunnels, or the less common name: the Portland Underground. This intricate network reportedly once consisted of tunnel passageways linking Portland’s Old Town, also known as Chinatown, to the central Downtown area. Unfortunately many of these subterranean spaces have been filled in during various public works projects, but a few of them are still there and open to explore.

Back in the day, the basements of many a downtown bar and hotel were linked to the Willamette River waterfront by way of these tunnels, allowing supplies to be moved from docked ships directly to basements for storage, thus avoiding rain and heavy traffic. Though still a controversial topic, rumor has it the tunnels have also been used for the practice of “shanghaiing”: kidnapping people for them to serve as sailors.
But, never fear, today you can take a safe and secure walking tour and explore a portion of the Shanghai Tunnels to get a sense of the complex network of tunnels, and an understanding of the seamy history surrounding Portland.
Find a flight to Portland
Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Beneath the streets of Scotland’s capital lies a dark and damp world, dating back to the 18th century. The Edinburgh Vaults, also known as The South Bridge Vaults, are a series of chambers formed within the 19 arches of South Bridge.

Opened in 1788, a period of great expansion and growth, the vaults date back to a time when Edinburgh was a superstitious place. Today, they still exude a feel of gore and ghastliness. Originally built to house taverns, cobblers, cutlers, smelters and other tradesmen, and to store illicit materials, rumors have it that serial killers Burke and Hare also stored various bodies down here, which they sold for medical experiments. Later, when the businesses moved out, the vaults became home to the city’s poorest souls, a skid row complete with pubs and brothels scattered around the wet chambers. A place so grim it would make any of today’s red light districts seem nice and snug.
Delve down beneath Edinburgh’s graceful surface and listen to the guide’s shivering stories of the ghosts still lingering around.
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Dixia Cheng, Beijing, China

Beijing’s underground city, Dixia Cheng, was built in the 1970s to serve as a shelter during invasions, bombings and nuclear attacks. The lengthy network of tunnels, often referre d to as the Underground Great Wall, included almost 100 hidden entrances and, reportedly, were built with complete services such as schools, hospitals, and sleeping halls in case citizens needed to seek refuge for a longer period of time. Fortunately there never was an occasion for this massive underground shelter to fulfil its intended purpose, and in 2000 the place was opened to the public. A tour only includes a small circular stretch of the complex, but is still attracting travelers from around the world. Dixia Cheng has been under renovations since 2008 and therefore closed for visitors, but make sure you put it on your bucket list to check out when it reopens at an indefinite date in the future.

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Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland

Located in the town of Wieliczka just over 9 miles outside of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine was built back in the 13th century and has produced table salt continuously until 2007.

One of the biggest tourist draws of Poland, this underground salt city has evolved from a series of dark caves to a complex labyrinth now comprising over 185 impressive miles of galleries, about 3000 chambers and nine floors, with the first three open to the public.
Once you descend the 378 steps wooden staircase, you’ll be greeted with a vast variety of guided touroptions: If you’re interested in the history of the salt mine, take the Miners’ Tour and get insights into the difficult profession of a salt miner. Alternatively, if you want to learn more about the religious aspects, join the Pilgrims’ Tour that includes a visit to the salt statue of John Paul II and a Holy Mass upon the end of the tour.
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RÉSO, Montreal, Canada

RÉSO, stemming from the French word réseau, meaning network, is one of Montreal’s cornerstones. This giant maze runs under Montreal’s streets in and around the Downtown area and houses a wide-range of shops, restaurants, hotels, galleries, seven metro stops, cinemas, a library and even apartment buildings.

The first interconnected sections were built in 1962 with the objective of easing traffic and providing a sheltered way of transportation, especially handy during the harsh winter season. Since the Montreal Metro started operating in 1966, more connections have been added and today RÉSO consists of 20 miles of tunnels with more than 120 exterior access points. Apart from going shopping, come around to check out the permanent artworks on display, public squares and cultural centers. If you want to discover all the hidden spots, book a guided tour and start walking.
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Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

Unlike some of the other places on this list, Setenil de las Bodegas, a pueblo (small town) in Southern Spain, isn’t an underground city per se, but it lies underneath massive rock overhangs. Located along a narrow river gorge that’s eroded by the Rio Trejo river, the houses are built into and under the walls of the gorge itself. People actually settled here for practical reasons: in order to keep out the summer heat and the cold in the winter, they only built the facade of the house, while the back was shielded by nature.

While it’s small in size, Setenil de las Bodegas does have some great offerings: visit the small tapas bars tucked underneath the gorge and have a taste of local delicacies such as chorizo, olive oil, honey, jam and Andalusian wine. And, if you’re a nature lover, walk down El Escarpe de Río Trejo, an area of natural diversity, or Ruta de los Bandoleros, which inspired many romantic legends.
Read more: Taste of Spain – tuck in to the nation’s best bites
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Pilsen Historical Underground, Czech Republic

The city of Pilsen, in the western part of the country, is home to Pilsen Historical Underground, a 12.5 mile long labyrinth of passageways, cellars and wells built below the city streets in the 14th century. These cellars once served as storage space for food and barrels of beer and, some say, as an escape route in case of an attack. Legend has it that there is treasure buried within the cellar walls, although looting is discouraged.

Take a guided tour and explore this ingenious underground system; highlights include the ice cellar, the water tower and the exhibit on medieval bookbinding. The tour ends at the Brewery Museum, where you can sample the renowned local Pilsner Urquell beer.
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Tunnels of Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw, Canada

The sleepy city of Moose Jaw, located in the state of Saskatchewan in Southern Canada, is home to a series of tunnels that have two separate stories.

In the beginning of the 20th century Canada imposed its now infamous head tax on Chinese immigrants due to the fear that they would steal jobs away from locals. Afraid and unable to pay the tax, illegal Chinese immigrants were forced underground. Entire families lived here and worked in the local businesses above ground in exchange for food and supplies until the 1920s, when this underground maze acquired a new purpose: Due to the proximity to the US, the tunnels were used for transporting of booze to the US through Canada during the prohibition-era. Word has it Al Capone was connected to all the bootlegging, though that has never been proven.
Book these two interactive theatrical tours and travel beneath the streets of Moose Jaw – lay low with an early Chinese immigrant and shake hands with the infamous Al Capone.
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For more travel inspiration, check out our list of best budget destinations of 2016 and discover our best European city breaks.