Central Asia Guide

Two new UNESCO Sites for Central Asia

Anssi — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:28:40 +0000

The Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (Central Asian depression) in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan and the Tigrovaya Balka Tugan forests near Amu Darya in Tajikistan were added to the UNESCO World Heritage site list. The transnational property of Cold Winter deserts of Turan (including Kyzyl Kum and Kara kum deserts) comprises fourteen component parts found across arid areas of Central Asia’s…

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Flights to Almaty and Tashkent from Mumbai

Anssi — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:50:44 +0000

Direct Mumbai–Tashkent and Mumbai-Almaty routes have been reinstated after a period of suspension. IndiGo Airlines will start 4 times a week nonstop flights from Mumbai to Tashkent as of 1.9.2025 and also Mumbai to Almaty 4 times a week from 2.9.2025. This provides Indian travelers an easy way to travel to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan without transfers.

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Bishkek airport changing IATA code from FRU to BSZ

Anssi — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:34:35 +0000

The Manas international airport serving Bishkek has changed its IATA code from FRU to BSZ. The old code referred to the old name of Bishkek which was Frunze. The new designation aligns the airport’s identity more closely with the current name of the Kyrgyz capital. The new code is already appearing on boarding passes of airlines and has been fully updated across all carriers internationally.

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Border between Alai and Pamir is open

Anssi — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:45:16 +0000

The special border permit for tourists to enter Pamir from Kyrgyz Alai region (Kyzyl Art / Bordobo) and vice versa is no longer required. The closure of border that took place after the border clashes between the countries in 2021 has come to an end and the locals from both sides of the border can also cross the border with their cars. The opening of the border for the nationals of Kyrgyzstan and…

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First Tourist Train from China to Kazakhstan Launches as Trial Run, Not Yet Operational

nargiza.zhetigenova — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:48:22 +0000

A cultural tourism train journey between Xi’an (China) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) launched on May 29, marking a symbolic step in bilateral ties. The train departed from Xi’an, carrying approximately 234–246 passengers, including a Kazakh delegation, cultural figures, and business representatives and arrived in Almaty for a five-day tour rich in local events and organised visits.The route does not…

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Centrum Air now offers twice-weekly direct flights between Nukus, Aktau, and Almaty

nargiza.zhetigenova — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:34:40 +0000

Uzbekistan’s Centrum Air has introduced new direct flights linking Nukus (Karakalpakstan), Aktau, and Almaty, boosting connectivity across Central Asia and supporting regional tourism and trade.As of July 3, 2025, flights now operate twice weekly between Nukus and Aktau (Thursdays and Sundays) and between Nukus and Almaty (Thursdays and Saturdays). Additionally, Tashkent–Almaty flights are…

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Tanzhen Border, Aktau-Nukus Link Closed for Repairs Until September 2025

nargiza.zhetigenova — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:42:16 +0000

Kazakhstan has temporarily closed the Tazhen border crossing with Uzbekistan starting February 1, 2025. The checkpoint, which connects the Uzbek city of Nukus with Beyneu and provides a key route to Aktau in Kazakhstan, will remain closed until September 1, 2025. The closure affects individuals, passenger vehicles, buses, and light cargo transport under 3.5 tons. This decision…

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Almaty – Issyk-Kul Direct Flights

nargiza.zhetigenova — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:25:20 +0000

Starting in June 2025, regional travel between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will get a major boost with the launch of direct flights between Almaty and Issyk-Kul. Operated by Kyrgyz Asman Airlines and Fly Arystan, these new routes will run four times a week and significantly reduce travel time from 7–8 hours by road to just 75–80 minutes by air. Kyrgyz Asman began flights on June 27…

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Tashkent to Khiva in Half the Time – New High-Speed Train by 2026

nargiza.zhetigenova — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:53:38 +0000

Uzbekistan is launching a high-speed train from Tashkent to the ancient city of Khiva by 2026. Travel time will be cut from 14 hours to just 7 hours and 40 minutes, making it much easier and faster for tourists to explore this Silk Road destination.The 465 km rail line through Bukhara and Urgench is already electrified. Six new Hyundai Rotem trains from South Korea, fast, modern, and comfortable…

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AirAsia X Launches First-Ever Direct Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent

nargiza.zhetigenova — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:33:07 +0000

AirAsia X has announced the launch of a brand-new direct service connecting Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, marking a significant expansion into Central Asia.Starting October 15, 2025, the new route will operate three times weekly: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using the airline’s widebody Airbus A330 aircraft. This move not only strengthens AirAsia X’s growing network…

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