Tashkent Flowers Fest: early May by the National Library

The Turkiston Palace sits on Navoi Avenue near Mustaqillik Square, a white concert hall with a large stage plus a summer open-air stage on the Anhor Canal bank. Recent programmes mixed rock, pop, orchestral shows and electronic festivals, so check what plays during your dates. Ask your hotel or a Local Friend to help…

Hotel Uzbekistan opened in 1974 and is one of Tashkent's best-known Soviet modernist landmarks, built to host diplomats. It still operates, a short walk from Amir Temur Square and the nearest metro station, so it is a handy base for the center. Choose it for the architecture and history rather than modern comfort, and…

Alay Bazaar on Yahyo Gulyamov Street is mainly a food market, with spices, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, dairy and meat, plus a two-storey jewellery building and a flea market area. It works well as a second market if you already visited Chorsu. Compare two or three stalls and ask the price of each item before it is…

The Minor Mosque stands beside the Anhor Canal, opened on 1 October 2014, with white marble walls and a blue dome. Visitors can step into the courtyard but not the main prayer hall, and should cover back, shoulders, arms and legs. The marble looks best on a clear day against blue sky, and residents come in the evening…

The Hazrati Imam complex groups the Barak Khan Madrasah, the Tilla Shaykh Mosque and the Muyi Muborak Madrasah, which is now a library of the Muslim Board and holds the 7th century Quran of Caliph Uthman. It is a working religious centre, and thousands gather for Friday prayers and major holidays, so choose another…

The State Museum of Applied Arts is in the Polovtsev House on Rakatboshi Street, a late 19th century mansion refitted in Oriental style. Its collection runs from ancient craft traditions to contemporary makers, with embroidery, ceramics, carpets, jewellery and metalwork. Step into the courtyard and touch the old oak…

Ilkhom, on Pakhtakor Street next to Pakhtakor metro, was founded in 1976 by director Mark Weil as a break from Soviet theatre norms. Its repertoire mixes contemporary plays, classics and original works on Central Asian themes, and the hall can be set up in different layouts. Book early for popular shows, since they…

Uzbek soum cannot be bought abroad, so plan to change money after landing. US dollars are the easiest foreign cash to exchange, and official booths refuse damaged or marked notes and dollars printed before 2013, so carry clean recent bills. Skip street changers, because unofficial exchange is illegal. ATMs are common…