The best place to experience Central Asia is in the
bazaars. The bazaars of Tashkent and Samarkand offer goods ranging from herbs and spices to Central Asian
carpets. In the Alaiski Bazaar in Tashkent, it is possible to buy decorated Uzbek
knives.
Silk is still produced in the country and well-priced silks can be bought at large
department stores.
Many
museums have small shops which sell a variety of modern reproductions and some original items. It is possible to buy carpets and
embroidered wall hangings. Bukhara is famous for its gold embroidery,
and visitors can buy elaborately embroidered traditional Uzbek hats. Visitors should be aware that it is illegal to export anything more than 100 years old or items which have a cultural significance.
Shopping hours Food shops open 0800-1700, all others open 0900-1900.
Currency Information:CurrencyUzbek Sum (UZS; symbol лв) = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of лв100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn.
Currency ExchangeTourists and businesspeople without special status have to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable. All bills are normally settled in cash. It is illegal to change money on the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureaux in major hotels will change at the official rates.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAcceptable in some of the major hotels in tourist centers. Uzbekistan has said that it intends to introduce its own Visa card in the near future.
Traveller's ChequesLimited acceptance.
Currency RestrictionsRestrictions apply.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0900-1800. Some banks open Sat 0900-1500.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | лв2,115.10 |
| $1.00= | лв1,388.30 |
| €1.00= | лв1,899.96 |
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