The best souvenirs from Uzbekistan and where to buy them

Uzbekistan’s crafts are not museum pieces: they are made today, often in family workshops, using techniques passed down for generations. Buying a souvenir here usually means meeting the person who made it, seeing how it was made, and supporting a living tradition. Here are the best things to bring home.

Large embroidered textiles with flowers, pomegranates and sun motifs, traditionally made for a bride’s dowry. Small pieces, cushion covers and bags are easy to carry; large wall hangings are spectacular. Where: Bukhara’s trading domes, Samarkand, and the Sunday bazaar in Urgut. See suzani embroidery.

Shimmering atlas silk and adras silk-cotton with blurred "cloud" patterns, sold by the metre or as scarves, dresses, cushions, bags and jackets. Where: Margilan, at the Yodgorlik factory and the Kumtepa bazaar; also Bukhara and Tashkent. See Uzbek ikat silk.

Blue and turquoise plates and bowls from Rishtan, warm brown and yellow wares from Gijduvan, and blue-and-white tiles inspired by Khiva. Where: the workshops in Rishtan and Gijduvan, and craft shops everywhere. Wrap well and carry in hand luggage. See Uzbek ceramics.

Hand-knotted wool and silk carpets, from small rugs to large pieces, in Bukhara, Turkmen and Persian-inspired designs, or patterns inspired by Khiva’s tiles and carved doors. Where: carpet workshops in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, where you can watch the weavers. Ask for the certificate showing the carpet is new, needed for export. See Uzbekistan customs rules.

Bukhara blacksmiths make knives with decorated blades and the famous stork-shaped scissors, traditionally used for embroidery. Chust, in the Namangan region, is famous for its knives. Where: blacksmith workshops in Bukhara’s old town. Remember to pack knives in checked luggage.

Samarkand was famous for its paper in the Middle Ages. At the Konigil paper mill, paper is made again from mulberry bark, and sold as notebooks, cards and sheets. Miniature paintings, inspired by old manuscripts, are painted in Bukhara and Samarkand workshops, often on silk paper.

Khiva is famous for its carved wooden doors and columns. Small carved boxes, Quran stands (lauh), spoons and panels make beautiful souvenirs. Where: wood-carving workshops in Khiva’s Ichan-Kala. See shopping in Khiva.

The doppi, the embroidered skullcap, varies by region: the black-and-white Chust doppi with pepper motifs is the most famous. Ikat robes (chapan), embroidered waistcoats and modern clothes made with ikat or suzani fabrics are also popular. Where: bazaars and craft shops.

Bukhara’s puppet makers create colourful papier-mâché and wooden puppets of characters from Uzbek folklore, such as Nasreddin Hodja. Clay whistles and figurines are made in Samarkand and other cities. Where: workshops in Bukhara’s old town.

• Dried fruit: apricots, raisins, figs and melons.
• Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and apricot kernels roasted with salt.
• Spices: cumin, barberries, red pepper, and spice mixes for plov.
• Sweets: halva, navat crystallised sugar and parvarda.
• Tea and Samarkand bread, which keeps for days.

Where: bazaars such as Chorsu in Tashkent and Siab in Samarkand. Check your home country’s rules on importing food.

• Bargaining is normal in bazaars and many shops; start lower and settle with a smile. In workshops with marked prices, bargaining is less usual.
• Hand-made or not: look at the back of embroidery, the edges of ikat and the details of ceramics; machine-made imitations are common.
• Pay in som; larger shops accept cards. See money in Central Asia.
• Keep receipts for valuable items, and certificates for carpets.
• Antiques need an export certificate; avoid buying old items without one. See Uzbekistan customs rules.

For the best choice, combine the cities on your route: Bukhara for suzani, knives and puppets; Samarkand for paper, carpets and the Urgut bazaar; Khiva for wood carving and carpets; Margilan and Rishtan for silk and ceramics; Tashkent for everything in one place. See our crafts route and shopping in Bukhara.

• Tashkent: everything in one place at Chorsu bazaar and craft centres; modern design shops selling ikat clothing and accessories.
• Samarkand: silk paper from Konigil, silk carpets, Samarkand bread, dried fruit at the Siab bazaar, wine from the local wineries.
• Bukhara: suzani, gold embroidery, knives and stork scissors, miniatures, puppets, carpets and spices, mostly in the trading domes.
• Khiva: carved wooden boxes and Quran stands, hand-knotted carpets inspired by Khiva’s tiles, suzani and fur hats (chugurma).
• Fergana Valley: ikat silk and adras in Margilan, ceramics in Rishtan, knives and skullcaps in Chust.

When you buy directly from a workshop, more of the money goes to the craftsperson and their family, and you often learn the story behind the object. Many workshops train young apprentices, so your purchase helps keep a tradition alive. Ask who made a piece and how long it took; artisans are usually proud to explain. If you cannot carry a large item, ask whether the workshop can ship it. Avoid buying items made from protected animals or plants, and be cautious with "antiques" without documents.

Plan space in your luggage: textiles fold well, but ceramics, wood and bottles need care. Wrap ceramics in clothes or bubble wrap and carry them in hand luggage. Knives and stork scissors must go in checked luggage. Large carpets can be folded tightly by the shop and tied for transport; some shops ship them abroad. Keep all receipts and certificates together in case customs asks. See Uzbekistan customs rules.

If space is limited, look for small, light gifts: silk scarves from Margilan, embroidered cushion covers, small Rishtan bowls, skullcaps, silk-paper notebooks from Samarkand, miniatures painted on paper, spice mixes for plov, bags of dried apricots and almonds, and packets of green tea. Children love the clay whistles and puppets of Bukhara. These are affordable, easy to pack and still hand-made, and they make thoughtful presents for friends and family at home.

Forgot something? Tashkent airport has a few souvenir shops, but the choice is small and prices are higher, so buy before you leave the city.