As someone used to the Mediterranean sun and sea, I’ve always had a curiosity for destinations that felt far removed from life in Malta. Central Asia had long intrigued me—those names from old Silk Road tales, the faint echoes of Soviet history, and cities few people from my part of the world ever seemed to talk about.
So I decided to go, and over the course of ten days, I travelled through Almaty, Bishkek, and Tashkent. What I discovered were three remarkably different cities that shared a deep warmth, surprising beauty, and a unique rhythm I’d never experienced before.
Almaty: Where the Mountains Meet the Metropolis
I began my journey in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital. Flying in, the first thing I noticed was the breathtaking sight of the snow-capped mountains that seemed to cradle the city. Almaty felt green, grand, and modern—with wide boulevards, parks at every turn, and a café scene that wouldn’t look out of place in Western Europe.
I wandered through Panfilov Park, where locals were out enjoying the sunshine and playing chess on makeshift boards. The Zenkov Cathedral, with its vibrant colours and wooden structure, was a striking contrast to the Soviet-style buildings around it. I also took a cable car up Kok-Tobe Hill for a panoramic view of the city that reminded me of our own Upper Barrakka Gardens—though with far more mountains in the background.
Food-wise, I was surprised by how refined things were. I ate besbarmak and shashlik at a restaurant near the Green Bazaar, where spices, fruits, and endless varieties of nuts were being sold in a lively mix of Russian and Kazakh.
Bishkek: A Quiet Charm and Gentle Pace
From Almaty, I took a bus to Bishkek, which was an experience in itself. The journey was long but scenic, passing open plains and mountain vistas that gave me a chance to see the vastness of the region up close. Arriving in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, I found a city that felt immediately different—more modest, more relaxed, and with a kind of laid-back authenticity that was hard not to like.
I spent my days walking under tree-lined avenues, exploring Ala-Too Square, and watching people relax in the city’s many parks. The Victory Monument, shaped like a yurt and guarded by an eternal flame, stood as a poignant reminder of the country’s Soviet past. While the city centre wasn’t flashy, I appreciated its honesty—it was lived-in and real.
One of my favourite moments in Bishkek was getting lost inside Osh Bazaar, where I was offered everything from dried apricots to knock-off Adidas trainers. I also tried laghman—thick hand-pulled noodles in a rich broth—which I’d never heard of before but now genuinely miss.
Tashkent: Where Old Meets New in Uzbekistan
My final leg involved an overnight bus from Bishkek to Tashkent—a long but practical way to cross the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Arriving in the Uzbek capital, I was immediately struck by a different energy: bigger, busier, and more layered than the previous cities. I learned that much of it had been rebuilt after a 1966 earthquake, which explained the broad avenues and Soviet-era blocks mixed in with newer, glassy architecture.
Still, I found plenty of tradition. In the Old City, I visited the Khast Imam Complex, where I saw one of the oldest Qurans in the world. At Chorsu Bazaar, I found myself bargaining over pomegranates and pistachios with stallholders who were more curious about where Malta was than what I was buying.
I also took the Tashkent Metro, where every station was uniquely decorated—one had mosaics, another chandeliers. It was as impressive as any gallery, but underground. My final evening was spent in a rooftop restaurant where I tried plov, the national rice dish, while looking out over a city lit by neon and soft minarets in the distance.
Reflections from the Silk Road
Coming from a small island like Malta, I found Central Asia to be refreshingly vast, both geographically and culturally. What struck me most was the openness of the people—I was constantly greeted with curiosity and kindness. There were very few other tourists, and for much of the time, I felt like I was discovering something that hadn’t yet been fully placed on the map.
Each city had its own soul: Almaty was sophisticated and scenic, Bishkek was humble and human, and Tashkent was vibrant and full of contrasts. I left feeling like I had touched just the surface of a region with stories stretching back millennia.
For any fellow Maltese traveller looking for something completely different, these cities are a world away—but absolutely worth the journey.
