Welcome to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. You arrived yesterday after a long flight, but today you’re refreshed and looking forward to exploring the fascinating city. Hotel Uzbekistan is likely to be high on your list of places to visit. There’s no need to check in, book a room or even pretend you’re considering an overnight stay. Your camera is all the reservation you need.
Standing proudly beside Amir Temur Square, this seventeen-story landmark is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. Opened in 1974, Hotel Uzbekistan became one of Tashkent’s best-known hotels during the Soviet era. It welcomed foreign visitors, official delegations and international guests, making it an important part of the city’s image as a modern Soviet capital.
And what a showcase it is. The curved facade is often compared to an enormous open book, as if the building is inviting you to read a few chapters of Tashkent’s history. Its distinctive concrete screens create a repeating geometric pattern that provides shade from the fierce Uzbek sun. The design combines Soviet modernism with elements reminiscent of traditional Uzbekistan geometric patterns. Think communist-era ambition meets Central Asian style, with a generous helping of concrete.
Of course, time has moved on. Hotel Uzbekistan is still operating as a hotel, but its glory days as one of the region’s premier luxury addresses are long gone. Renovations have changed parts of the building, particularly around the entrance and interiors, and some of its original architectural features have disappeared. The exterior, however, retains much of its distinctive character, making it a fascinating reminder of Tashkent’s Soviet past.
When I visited Tashkent, Hotel Uzbekistan was the first stop on my first day in the city. I wanted to see its distinctive architecture for myself and, naturally, take that classic Instagram photo in front of the hotel.
My advice is to take your time and photograph the building from different angles. Start with a full shot of the sweeping facade, then zoom in on the geometric concrete screens. You can also experiment with views from Amir Temur Square, which provides an interesting foreground. Just be careful when crossing the road to find your preferred viewpoint!
You don’t need to be an architecture enthusiast to appreciate this quirky landmark, although you might find yourself taking more photos than expected. And the best part for me was that I could admire Hotel Uzbekistan entirely from the outside without spending a single som.
It’s an easy first-day stop, a great introduction to Tashkent’s architectural contrasts and a photo opportunity worth adding to your itinerary before exploring the rest of Tashkent, perhaps with a visit to the Islamic Civilization Center.
Find Hotel Uzbekistan on Google Maps.
When I visited Tashkent, I stayed at the very impressive Intercontinental Tashkent by IHG.
Otherwise consider other accommodation options in Tashkent by clicking in the box below.
Consider reading other posts on Uzbekistan by Two Passports Packed.
(Visited in August 2026)