TASHKENT | The Soviet Union discouraged the ownership of private vehicles, with public transport heavily promoted. The Tashkent Metro was the seventh of 14 metro systems that were constructed across the Soviet Union. Planning began in 1968, and it was the first metro system in Central Asia when it opened in 1977.
Like the Moscow Metro, stations from this era were designed to inspire awe. Each station was designed by individual artists, featuring a distinct theme based around Uzbek and Soviet (somewhat retconned post-independence) history and culture.
Designs inspired by the great empires of the past, contrast with modernist and futurist themes. Featuring luxurious materials and intricate designs and artworks, many stations portray a utopian vision that never came to pass. The Chilonzor Line (red) and Oʻzbekiston Line (blue) are where you’ll find the majority of the Soviet-era stations, but don’t sleep on the Yunusobod Line (green).
I recommend setting aside a few hours one day, outside of peak times, to explore. Getting around on the system is easy, with signage and maps written in both Latin and Cyrillic script. Tickets cost around USD $0.16 for 60 minutes of travel (if you don’t exit the system), and you can pay using a credit card or Apple/Google Pay on your phone.
What I consider to be Tashkent’s best metro stations, in no particular order, include:
Chilonzor Line
- Cholinzor (1977). This station is all about the bright murals dotted along the walls, and giant, crown-like chandeliers that hang from the ceiling.
- Hamid Olimjon (1980). Named after a famed Uzbek poet, I love this station’s glazed, white marble light pillars.
- Mustaqilliq Maidoni (1977). Originally named after Lenin, this station is one of the city’s grandest, with huge marble pillars and intricate glass chandeliers.
- Paxtakor (1977). A relatively humble station, notable for its vibrant blue and green mosaics that pay homage to Uzbekistan’s historically important cotton-picking industry.
Oʻzbekiston Line
- Alisher Navoi (1984). Named for Timurid poet and artist, Ali-Shir Nava’I, the station features a ceiling of intricately decorated domes, and walls featuring murals inspired by the poet’s works.
- Beruniy (1991). Designed in the national traditions of Uzbekistan, the curved ceiling features simple marble patterns and crystal chandeliers. It’s named after Uzbek poet, Al-Biruni.
- Gafur Gulom (1991). Named for an Uzbek poet and writer, the station features circular hidden ceiling lighting, flanked by turquoise granite columns. The walls are covered in intricate ceramic murals.
- Kosmonavtlar (1984). A space-themed station that honours Soviet cosmonauts such as Yuri Gagarin, and Valentina Tereshkova, plus events and icons like Galileo, Sputnik, and the Milky Way.
Yunusobod Line
- Bodomzor (2001). This station features geometric patterns on its surfaces, and nature-influenced lighting and seating.
- Ming Oʻrik (2001). The station itself isn’t amongst the grandest, but I’m a big fan of its intricate, square, glass chandeliers.
- Yunus Rajabiy (2001). Named after a famous Uzbek musician, this station features large marble pillars topped by unique, gilded light installations.
Have you travelled on the Tashkent Metro before? What do you consider to be the best Tashkent Metro stations?