Iconic landmark of Uzbek culture rises up in Tashkent

The newly opened Center for Islamic Civilization, located in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has been recognized as one of the most significant cultural projects in the country following its launch in March, according to CNN.

Designed in the architectural style of the Eastern Middle Ages, the complex is not only an architectural landmark, but also a "strategy for the spiritual and intellectual advancement of new Uzbekistan", said Firdavs Abdukhalikov, director of the center.

Past, present and future

Covering 10 hectares in the historic center of Tashkent, the complex features a 65-meter azure dome and four golden gates, which symbolically represent the unity of all regions of Uzbekistan.

Its architectural style, with attention paid to every line of the structure, reflects a harmonious integration of Timurid-era traditions and modern technological solutions.

The main pillar, reflecting the rich architectural traditions of Ulugh Beg Madrasah, a historical landmark in Uzbekistan, is adorned with a calligraphic inscription of the first revealed verse of the Quran.

The exhibition concept departs from that of traditional museums, going beyond the presentation of historical facts to immerse visitors in a living intellectual innovation.

The Wall of Civilizations, a large multimedia panel depicting humanity's intellectual progress as continuous, illustrates how the discoveries of great figures from each era are directly linked to modern high technologies.

The Time Capsule, where visitors can leave messages for future generations, is becoming an attractive interactive project.

The large-scale integration of digital technologies, such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and holograms, brings to life the manuscripts from the ninth century, ancient observatories, and other historical discoveries.

The 1001 Inventions Laboratory, designed for children, fosters early interest in engineering and natural sciences. The center is thus becoming an interactive educational platform that nurtures the nation's intellectual potential.

The center currently includes an exhibition gallery on the ground floor and an extensive library on the second floor containing more than 1 million books.

Based on contemporary urban planning and environmental sustainability standards, the landscaped grounds surrounding the complex create a spacious cultural and educational zone accessible to both city residents and international visitors.

The construction of the center was initiated by a decree of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on June 23, 2017, and the project was launched in 2018.

On Jan 29, 2025, Mirziyoyev visited the center and provided a series of recommendations and directives regarding the incorporation of scientific and innovative projects developed by more than 2,000 researchers into the exhibitions of the center.

Specialists and designers from more than 40 countries have contributed to enhancing the center's activities and enriching its exhibitions. The project has also supported the repatriation of Uzbek cultural heritage scattered abroad.

During a congress themed Central Asia: Common Spiritual and Educational Heritage — Common Future held from Nov 13 to 15 in Tashkent, the center was visited by the presidents of five countries.

In February, the International Committee of the Prix Versailles included the center in its list of the "world's most beautiful museums of 2026".

Khaled El-Enany, director-general of UNESCO, described the center as a "unique civilizational complex, integrating a next-generation museum, advanced research infrastructure, a modern library, national and international archives on the history of Central Asian civilizations, digital humanities technologies and an extensive network for global scientific and cultural collaboration".

Deepening cooperation

Cooperation between Uzbekistan and China demonstrates sustainable development dynamics in recent years, spanning political dialogue, security, trade and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Uzbek and Chinese peoples have traditionally maintained close ties in cultural and humanitarian fields. An important area of bilateral cooperation is tourism. The historical and cultural proximity of the two countries also favors the development of tourist exchanges, said Abdukhalikov.

The introduction of a 30-day visa-free policy between Uzbekistan and China in June 2025 marked a significant step toward further deepening people-to-people exchanges.

In the same year, China celebrated the Uzbekistan Tourism Year. As part of the program, numerous presentations, cultural events, and road shows were held in various cities and regions in Uzbekistan. As a result, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan in 2025 tripled compared to 2024.

"We are constantly developing our tourism infrastructure in our country. Many interesting tourism destinations are being developed. Hospitable Uzbekistan, with its distinctive ancient monuments and picturesque nature, is always happy to welcome Chinese tourists," said Abdukhalikov.

To make travel more convenient for Chinese tourists, air connectivity between cities in Uzbekistan and China is being expanded, with more than 60 flights operated weekly by Uzbek and Chinese airlines.

Overall, Uzbekistan and China have enormous potential for cooperation across all practical areas and sectors. The multifaceted cooperation between the two countries is a shining example of our close friendship and reliable partnership, both bilaterally and in the international arena, said Abdukhalikov.