There’s something magical about leaving Uzbekistan with more than photographs. Whether it’s the feel of hand-woven ikat silk, the shimmering tiles of a ceramic bowl, or the fine stitch of a suzani embroiderer’s needle, each souvenir carries a story. Here’s a guide to the most unforgettable keepsakes and where to purchase them, city by city, with a few tips for finding authenticity and value.
Textiles in Uzbekistan are more than cloth, they are living heritage. The ikat (locally called abr and atlas) fabrics from Margilan in the Fergana Valley are among the finest: dyed threads, hand-woven, with characteristic blurred edges, used for robes, scarves or chapan coats.
Equally luminous are suzani pieces – large embroidered panels historically made for dowries. Today, you’ll see them adapted into wall hangings, cushion covers, curtains. The craft of kashtachilik (embroidery) flourishes in Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Tashkent, and the towns of Fergana.
Also look for doppi (or tyubeteika) caps — richly embroidered skull-caps with regional patterns. Pocket-friendly, charming, and easy to pack, these make excellent travel gifts.
Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent: Has whole sections for national handicrafts and textiles.
Workshops and bazaars in Margilan (for ikat), Bukhara, Samarkand. Small shops away from the main tourist sites tend to offer better prices.
Many craftspeople sell directly in madrasas (in old towns) around Bukhara, Khiva.
Uzbek ceramics are among the most beautiful souvenirs: the pottery of Rishtan and Gijduvan is famous for rich cobalt, turquoise and earth-tone glazes, often with floral or geometric patterns.
Wood carving is another craft to watch: doors, panels, trays, decorative boxes from walnut, mulberry or elm, often with relief patterns. The old khanate cities (Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand) showcase masterwork pieces.
Metal art—engraved trays, jewellery boxes, teapots—is widely available. Bukhara and Khiva are good sources for silver and copper work, sometimes inlaid or decorated with niello or filigree styles.
Ceramics: Rishtan pottery workshops; shops in Samarkand, small ceramics stores in market districts.
Metal workshops: In the old trading domes of Bukhara, in artisan quarters of Khiva. Ask if pieces are hand-engraved or machine-made.
If you want something lighter and easier to pack, Samarkand’s historical paper-making is a gem. Handmade paper from Konigil (and similar local workshops) uses mulberry bark, and forms the base for postcards, bookmarks, or brush paintings.
Miniature paintings, often lacquered, inspired by Persian and Central Asian motifs, are another fine souvenir. Scenes of local life, legends, gardens, architecture—these make small art you can display.
Other quirky items include puppets dressed in Uzbek costume, small wooden utensils, knives from Chust (Chust is particularly known among locals for good blades) and even small embroidered blankets or palak.
Markets are best: Chorsu in Tashkent, Siyab in Samarkand, Toky-Zargaron in Bukhara are good starting points.
Go off the beaten path: Shops away from major tourist monuments often offer both better quality and more reasonable prices. Bargain politely.
Ask about the craft’s origin: If buying ikat, ask if it’s truly Margilan; check whether embroidery was done by hand (which costs more); for ceramics, whether it’s glazed traditionally and whether dyes are natural.
Pack smart: Ceramics need padding; textiles should be clean; small art and paper works should be protected. If you’re taking metal or wooden items, check customs rules back home.
1. What are the best souvenirs to buy in Uzbekistan?
The top souvenirs include hand-woven ikat and suzani textiles, Rishtan ceramics, doppi caps, miniature paintings, and metal or wood crafts from Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, and Tashkent.
2. Where can I buy authentic Uzbek handicrafts?
Authentic crafts are best purchased at local markets and bazaars like Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent, Siyob Bazaar in Samarkand, Toky-Zargaron in Bukhara, and artisan workshops in Khiva.
3. How can I ensure the souvenirs I buy are genuine?
Ask the seller about the origin of the craft, whether embroidery is hand-made, or if ceramics are traditionally glazed. Small workshops often sell more authentic items than touristy shops.
4. What souvenirs are easiest to pack from Uzbekistan?
Lightweight items like paper products from Samarkand, postcards, bookmarks, miniature paintings, small textiles, and doppi caps are travel-friendly and easy to carry home.
5. Are there any special tips for buying Uzbek souvenirs?
Bargain politely, shop away from major tourist spots for better quality and prices, protect fragile items like ceramics, and check customs rules for exporting metal or wooden goods.
