Uzbekistan should be your favorite place in case you are fond of shopping and exploring new cultures. Out of the old fashioned open-air markets to the centuries old craft markets, this Central Asian jewel is a genuine experience to every tourist. You can kick off your Uzbekistan tourist visa application before you plan your trip so that you can go around the markets without any inconvenience.

Uzbekistan is not only the legacy of the Silk Road and Islamic architecture but also a paradise of the shopper, whose history and tradition shine on the handcrafted goods and fabrics, ceramics and jewels. And now we are going to see the most wonderful shopping streets and the wonders that you can take home.

Here are the Best Bazaars and Local Crafts in Uzbekistan.

1. Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent -The Uzbek Mall.  

There is no shopping spree in Uzbekistan without the Chorsu Bazaar that is a staple part of Tashkent. This millenarian market, under a giant blue dome, is an olfactory, auditory, and visual saturation of colors, sounds, and smells.   
Fresh fruit, fruit nuts, spices, handwoven fabrics and embroidered skullcaps (doppi) are all here. Sample local delicacies or haggle with the welcoming sellers; they are happy to meet people travelling.  
The Indian travelers would be able to purchase genuine Uzbek fabrics and decorative items that are excellent gifts.

2. Siab Bazaar, Samarkand - Ancient Market with Eternal Beauty.  

Siab Bazaar is situated close to the ancient Bibi -Khanym Mosque and it has been a trading post since the Silk Road. The market deals with smelly spices, dried fruits and the well-known Samarkand bread.  
You will also discover hand made ceramics with traditional blue and white designs- searches out as gifts or decorations. When one goes through the bazaar, it is like entering a living museum, and where ancient trade traditions have been preserved.

3. Toki Zargaron and Toki Telpak Furushon, Bukhara -The Treasures of The Old City.  

The city of Bukhara has two well-known domes Toki Zargaron (dome of jewels) and Toki Telpak Furushon (domain of hat makers). Toki Zargaron is adorned with gold, silver, jewelry, and gemstones which are handmade by talented workmen. Toki Telpak Furushon features classic head wear- fur hats and embroidered turbans. Visit divisions with miniature paintings, silk scarves and complex wooden carvings - all of them the products of regional art.

4. Urgut Bazaar, Samarkand Closeby - A Secret of Handicrafts.  

To see the real local handicrafts at local prices, go to Urgut Bazaar that is 40km away in Samarkand. The market is not so touristy and devoted to the local life. Locate hand made carpets, old jewellery and embroidered wall-hangings. Artisans tend to demonstrate them the process, which will provide a glimpse into the traditions of Uzbekistan. It is also one of the best places to buy suzani, which are colourful embroidered fabrics, telling a narrative in terms of the patterns and symbols.

5. Khiva Craft Shops -Traveling Back a Notch.  

The Khiva Itchan kala, which is listed in the UNESCO, resembles an open-air museum. Streets have small stores, which offer wood work, ceramics, leather goods, and metal decorations. Khiva is a special place to shop since you were likely to find craftsmen at work in small workshops and hence each souvenir is memorable. One of the items that must be bought would be the wooden doors/boxes carved by hand that display the skills and beauty of Khiva.

6. Margilan- The Uzbekistan capital of silk.  

In Fergana Valley, Margilan has been producing silk over centuries. The Yodgorlik Silk Factory is open to the tourists and allows them to see the process of handmade silk manufacturing, dyeing and weaving. Purchase quality silk scarves, ikat fabrics and dresses- colorful, long-lasting and can be used either personally or given away. To get a real experience, one can go on a Thursday or Sunday when the market is running.

7. Rishtan- Blue Ceramics.  

Rishtan, in the Fergana Valley, is known to produce distinctive blue ceramics produced with natural clay and traditional glazes, which, however, provide each piece with distinct allure.  
Floral and geometric designed plates, bowls, and tiles are available to purchase. These are very light weight and long-lasting ceramics that are good souvenirs of Indian tourists.  
This is by assisting local artisans in preserving this age old art that has been in existence since time immemorial.

8. Where to Shop with Confidence.  

It is easier to get around the country by being guided by the locals. The reliable Indian agency Go Kite Tours can design your trip to Uzbekistan, transport, accommodation, and sightseeing in the most interesting bazaars and craft villages of the country. It is more rewarding to shop in the cities of Silk Road when you are able to support the old artisans and take some history with you.

Shopping Hacks among Indian Travelers.  

• Negotiate with respect- bargain is a part of the culture yet be friendly.  
• Bring cash-cash is the most popular payment in bazaars, and there are few card machines.  
• Get to know some words: even a simple Rahmat (Thank you) can help a lot.  
• Shop with artisans- this way it is authentic and localized craft is pleasant.  
• Pack smart-pack delicate ceramics or glass materials.

Conclusion

Shopping in Uzbekistan is not just a shopping process; it is a trip back in time, culture and history. Every purchase in the bustling markets of Tashkent or silent workshops of Khiva has a story of the spirit of the Silk Road.

Make sure to apply to your Uzbekistan visa before you embark on your shopping spree to have a relaxing and memorable holiday. Bringing home silk scarfs, ceramics, silver jewelry, or whatever you want, the bazaars in Uzbekistan will offer you memories as bright as the treasures you will see there.