This Soviet Country Was Closed Off To Foreigners (Until Now...)

[@MattandJulia]

Join us on an epic journey across this country in October 2025 😍 Email us at: [e-mail] 🇺🇿

[@Gunavati1]

Was in Uzbekistan in 1979 at USSR times. Really unforgettable journey it was, we did Moscow - Transsib - Nowosibirsk - Irkutsk - Alma Ata - Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara, then on to Baku - Yerevan - Tbilisi and back to Moscow. By train, bus and old Aeroflot planes. Amazing trip, memories are still alive after 45 years 👍😊

[@jilllangman9343]

I went to Uzbekistan when it opened up and was blown away! Australians travel a lot and l keep recommending it as a destination but still, few people l know, have been there. Perhaps you can tempt them. I loved everything about Uzbekistan, especially the feeling of safety. The ballet was world class and so were the classical concerts, both costing almost nothing. The beautiful public parks are tended by the community, everyone taking their turn with great pride. The best trip ever and there are few places l havent been.

[@alanbuckingham8788]

I'm a Brit who lived in Tashkent 2020-2021. Wonderful people. Such a positive feeling about the people compared with the British.

[@robertawitty1533]

Yes! Go to Uzbekistan. I went on Matt & Julia’s first trip to Uzbekistan and I can’t rave more about it. First, they are great travel guides. Second, I felt completely safe in the country as a single woman. The food - really - is great. I came home and made plov which is the same as Chinese pilaf. The suzani fabrics are fantastic. The yurt stay is an experience. The mountains were a nice change from all the historic sites. Have no doubts about this trip and go.

[@leilagomulka5690]

The places you explore are not only exotic but fascinating. Thank you for bringing us with you , safe travels , always.

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you for your support! ❤️

[@lindathalman3506]

Such a wonderful memory of our trip with Matt and Julia in Uzbekistan in 2024. This video just shows it how it is. And this is just Tashkent! The whole trip was stupendous. Fabulous memories. Do sign up for their 2025 trip. You will be astounded by the beauty, variety, sights, modern, historic... and plov, of course! Thank you again and again Julia and Matt for the Uzbek experience! Linda from France

[@robertawitty1533]

Also. The local tour company Matt & Julia use is wonderful. They speak English perfectly, and are young and fun. I’m a 68 year old woman and highly recommend this trip. GO!!!

[@alejandroheld9527]

Ahh so many memories! For me it was yesterday too that I was there...although it was in April. The Plov Center, the Chorzu market and those underground stations!! The stations are magnificent but I was a bit depressed by the fact that every time I got on a subway car someone wanted to give me their seat. I'm not that old, I'm only 63....On the London Underground nobody insulted me like that! haha ​​ I wish you all the best for your new tour of Uzbekistan in October. Love to both of you from hot Buenos Aires.

[@diane2454]

I always thought of November babies as Valentines babies. February is 9 months before November. Was it comforting or odd feeling reverting back to Russian from Mandarin? My condolences,Matt, on the loss of your grandfather. As I told Julia, the good memories are what help you to the other side of grief once your mind and heart are ready. Love watching you two not being afraid to show affection to one another.

[@Mario_AndroID]

When the video part with Missing File! appeared I thought there was some unexpected nudity going on. :) Great video yet again guys. Cheers!

[@mariafalc]

😂😊

[@cathiecollins7320]

I absolutely LOVE your visits to the Stans and Julia's home!❤

[@jvstcu76]

Thanks for highlighting once again, this beautiful and fascinating city. I am so eager to visit it now, especially if I can have "plov" every day 😋🤣.

[@RiseFromTheDead]

Excellent channel, you two. I found you a few weeks ago and haven't been able to stop watching. I enjoy everything about the channel, from the traveling/ content to the editing to just you two as human beings. Keep up the great work! Stay safe!! - Jase

[@MattandJulia]

Hey Jase! Thanks so much, that means the world! 🙌🏼 Welcome to the channel ❤️

[@JimHarja]

We were just in Uzbekistan last August for four days before we crossed the border into Kazakhstan on our way to Taraz. We loved our time in Tashkent and the day trip we took to Samarkand.

[@carolmeysenburg9675]

Metro is so clean

[@ElwoodAndersonNV]

I just discovered your channel and it fits right in with the way I'm using KZbin now. I traveled all over the world back when there was no such thing as the internet, a cell phone or good video equipment, hence no KZbin nomads. So when I traveled it was either with a tour or cruise. Since I'm 85 now and don't get out much any more, I watch the nomad's videos of places I visited, where they aren't limited to a few destinations wherever the cruise or tour stops. I watched your Uzbekistan video today and was amazed by all the places in Tashkent that you were able to visit. I visited Uzbekistan on a month long visit to the Soviet Union in September of 1989, about a year before the USSR fell apart. The Russian guides actually told us it was going to fall apart within a year. The extent of my photography equipment was an old Magnavox shoulder held video camera that recorded to a standard VHS cassette. I was traveling with a tour that the Cal, Berkeley Alumni Association put together for about 50 alums and friends. I managed to capture some video, but not without a lot of unwanted motion and dropouts. The tour covered all of the USSR across all eleven time zones, included a train ride on the Trans Siberian railroad from Khabarovsk to Irkutsk. Now I tell all the stories about the trip to my friends and family, and there were indeed a lot of stories you wouldn't believe. If you want to see the video, I can send you a link via your email.

[@GouganeBarra-u4t]

Welcome back. I missed you. Uzbekistan is an interesting spot.

[@MattandJulia]

Thanks! Great to be back ❤️

[@Invad3rDiz]

honestly i think i found a new channel to binge, such a relaxing episode

[@donovandavidsonAlton]

Fab journey thanks for the ride Matt and Julia it was a very interesting video

[@halojones1153]

Fruit in savoury dishes is a big hark-back to medieval cuisine. Now mostly found in Moroccan foods and, as I’ve discovered in your vid, Uzbekistan food too. Thanks for sharing your experiences; I appreciate the education 🫶

[@aaaa.7897]

The former Soviet Republics are all full of so much beauty and offer pretty much everything you can wish to see. Central Asia, in particular, feels like a place that is a must visit for any geography and nature enthusiast like myself.

[@waywrdsun]

It's so good to see you two again. Loved this tour. I won't be able to join your tour this year, but I would love to see it in person someday. Thank's for allowing us to tag along with you!

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Tashkent looks so vibrant. Thank you for taking us along. Harriet, Jim and Yuki

[@lorichristineflorida3020]

I love watching your videos you guys have come so far and now you tell us about each and every city country. I love it!! And you both are so pleasant and kind..following !!

[@bobsachs9831]

We watched Julia on the Great British Baking Show and loved her. We always try to see what the contestants are doing since the baking show and that is how we found Matt and Julia traveling around the world and we love it. It has changed my minds about other countries that I once thought were very scary places. It's nice to see that people throughout the world are basically the same. Thank you and good luck with your travels 😊

[@majorkade]

I have traveled there three times. Taught English in Tashkent in the 90s.

[@agneswatson9592]

I remember seeing you there previously enjoying plov. Great video once again. ❤❤

[@jenniferw1595]

The metro center is so clean! The under Train station is beautiful.

[@seabeejohn]

Thanks for taking us around the world. I've been to iraq but not as a visitor. You 2 rock!

[@lindauhrig1513]

Very cool! We live in southern Arizona in the high desert. You should see those stunning sunsets and sunrises. Unbelievable!

[@jkrueger7725]

The market in Tashkent reminded me of Izmailovski Park market just outside Moscow, although this market looked larger. Great stuff M & J! Greetings from Ventura California!

[@TheAnneishere]

Your videos are so interesting! Watched all your videos while you were in China too and before. I am learning so much from following you both! I almost at times feel I am with you 🤣 . Love you both. You are such a beautiful couple.

[@regrigby1401]

Matt and Julia, Love your travel blogs - we have been to many places that you have visited - last was a trip through Krygystan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This video was particulary exciting as we went to everywhere you went in Tashkent, inlcuding the exact same Metro trip from Cosmonaut station to the 'Plov' centrre as well as to the Hazrati Imam complex into the Mosque and to see the old Koran (We left Tashkent the same day that Vladimir Putin arrived to 'open' the centre), Amir Temur Square and the memorial in the park. I presume we will be looking forward to other Silk Road cities and etc, ?, which will be great. Keep up the great work

[@Svobodnyi-Chelovek]

3:55 Thank you for the truth about the Uzbek Koreans !! Many people in Russia don't like to recall or talk about The Deportations of many nations. The Deportations which were carried out by their EMPIRE..

[@i_am_blur]

November is my FAVORITE month of the year!

[@ThongvanNonsithanh]

Thank you. Very beautiful video.

[@arnika61]

Another great trip, thanks. 💖

[@ashleyupshall7641]

Nice vid kids. Thanks for posting.

[@MrCirviuke]

Finally, a new video, i was checking daily! 🤭

[@davidchung4691]

So you are following the Silk Road adventure! Nice to see you both again. I was surprised they serve fried rice with boiled egg instead of frying with the rice which would be more tastier!

[@madmousetales]

No waaay - I was there at the same time as you! I was in Uzbekistan the whole of November 😅 would have been mad to bump into you guys 😂❤ looking forward to your travels this year

[@janariviik2634]

Liechtenstein is also doubly landlocked.

[@aidaovasapyan9951]

Such a clean beautiful country I never been ,next I go

[@espectacularrrrrrr]

The Savitsky Museum in Nukus is really great, and not too far from Khiva. Worth the trip, for sure!

[@MattandJulia]

It’s been on our list for years, alongside Moynaq ❤️

[@espectacularrrrrrr]

@@MattandJulia Renting a taxi for the day in Nukus and doing a day trip to Muynaq is not too expensive

[@peterbushby9009]

Hoping to travel to Uzbekistan later on this year

[@paulawebb700]

Happy 2025 ..❤❤ Great video ,very informative. I'd love to visit ..Stay safe and happy..❤❤

[@MattandJulia]

Happy new year! 🎉 You definitely should, it is an incredible country 😍

[@myrabenson1603]

Just catching up with your channel 2nd video some fresh scenery not seen thank you for sharing your life 😀

[@jolicoeur007]

I love it when you show us posts-soviet countries. Your mastery of the Russian language probably helps. These are your best videos in my opinion! Have fun! xx

[@trevr10]

Tashkent used to have a very well known aviation VOLMET (weather) broadcast on 3, maybe 4 shortwave frequencies. It is now defunct, but as well as being useful to long-range aircraft flights, it was also popular amongst amateur radio listeners. If they sent a reception report to the station, eventually, you would get a picture postcard from Tashkent (QSL card) back. This was the case during the cold war until maybe 2010-11.

[@atharalitalpur8071]

BEAUTIFUL CITY ❤ LOVE FROM PAKISTAN 🇵🇰 🎉

[@call_in_sick]

Love your vids

[@MattandJulia]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@Rackham_Raccoon]

Such an interesting country and video (as usual)! Definitely one of my favorite KZbin channel, I never feel rushed (or bored) and always discover so many interesting things. And I really like your dynamic, how you’re kind with everyone and to each other! Keep up the amazing work! 😊 PS: I noticed some artificial lights are often flickering in your videos since China. By any chance did you change a setting on your camera for the anti-flickering mode? Maybe set on 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz or something similar?

[@christiansvensson3571]

Sizga yaxshi kun tilayman! - Greetings from Sweden. 🙂

[@PoppinC-l3w]

Islom Karimov was president of Uzbekistan from 1991 to 2016. Uzbekistan started opening up a year later. Karimov was an isolationist and an Islamophobe. There was a short window in the early-2000s when Uzbekistan started opening up, at least diplomatically, but that didn't last long either. Uzbekistan joined OTS in 2019.

[@ReneSaldivar-x7x]

I'm surprised to see so many Chevrolets in Uzbekistan!

[@ZeeWatcher1000]

I love your videos

[@kellydiaz]

I'm a November baby, too!

[@martinquinn9007]

What I see how clean it is

[@rubricen]

Good to see you out of China in one peace. (remebered) hoping for 4k soon?

[@JackHarry369]

Hello I m new to your channel

[@IndigoJo]

It's not only naan that Uzbekistan and South Asia have in common; pilau, as they call it, is commonly eaten in Pakistan especially. The decline of that region from when it was a centre of science and philosophy did not have to do with the Silk Road so much as with the raids by Genghis Khan. They destroyed much of what they found and were notorious for slaughtering scholars. That went on for two or three generations until the Mongols that went out to raid converted to Islam and the ones that stayed at home calmed down somewhat. Anyway, it's great to see people exploring Uzbekistan. It's a beautiful country with a lot of history and architecture.

[@RuralScents]

❤❤❤ great

[@LL-qj5vg]

The food looks divine.

[@eoint2524]

Thank you so much for these videos guys. I have a passion for two places: Russia and Japan. I have been lucky to visit Japan but as yet not Russia.

[@davidjenkinson7459]

Fabulous Market. How much more pleasing and beneficial than Tesco etc

[@Kristina-k5u]

Thank you for taking us along with your fascinating travels. I note that it appears most people featured in this video are young (under 40😏) is this the average?

[@JM-vh7oc]

Enjoy all your travels. Any chance you will be able to do the US anytime soon?

[@GarthGoldberg]

I think what they were calling saffron from Samarkand is actually safflower.

[@michaelsmith9590]

Oh-oh-oh! Was that "horse sausage" that was said?

[@Svobodnyi-Chelovek]

Yes, horse 🐎 sausage 😅

[@andrewrobinson2565]

That credit card code story 😮🤣.

[@cmconley33]

One thing I have noticed about the subways (metros) in post-Soviet countries on videos is how unbelievably clean they are compared to the big American ones (specifically, NYC, Philly and DC) Boston, Chicago, and Pittsburgh are better, but not to post-Soviet standards. In NYC, Philly and DC I do not touch handrails of any type because they’ve probably been urinated on recently, or touched by people who have a pathological aversion t washing their hands.

[@943rob]

I see you left China. It seemed you really liked it there. How are you both doing now?

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Can you exchange United States dollars for their currency? I can't pay with my phone because it doesn't have that feature.

[@tanman7627]

I❤Julia 😊

[@DLeadVox]

💛💛💛

[@Jack-lw2tw]

I was in Uzbekistan 5 years ago and it was not so closed off back then so until now is not quite correct :)

[@martinquinn9007]

Sun sets in north Scotland

[@martinquinn9007]

That's some market

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Do you know if Americans need a visa?

[@lucybrebner1529]

Hi. I am trying to add trip but getting a blank page, Is it full now? xx

[@GlobalLatitude]

💜

[@dalejirschele1299]

No Cash in TashKent

[@galeparker1067]

🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for this......👍👍 BUT, once again, I look around, and TRULY cannot figure out where my high taxes, on ALL levels, go!! WHAT is it spent on! Each year more is demanded and, "their" slogan is, "The best place on Earth". 😢🇨🇦

[@trottiscliffe]

If you buy a magic carpet, you can travel all over!

[@BigkevdawgNSLBC]

Juss curious and love the channel but why don’t you guys go to some AFRICAN COUNTRIES? You know where there are darker shaded people like myself? Just wondering….

[@marinavlady6922]

It said missing file halfway through the vid. 🤔

[@joeshmooo5327]

Probably not the best use of "Until Now" since its been over a decade

[@MattandJulia]

The policy was changed at the end of 2019, so around 4 years ago 🙂

[@joeshmooo5327]

@@MattandJulia Uzbekistan has allowed American citizens to visit since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The US established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan in 1992, and since then, American citizens have been able to travel to Uzbekistan, albeit with some visa requirements. Specifically regarding visa policies: Uzbekistan introduced an electronic visa system for a maximum stay of 30 days in July 2018, making it easier for Americans and other eligible nationalities to visit for tourism or business purposes.

[@Worldofourown2024]

A proper market with real food stuffs from real farms. This is what so many of us over in America yearn for nonstop as we don't have real markets with real food from real farms today due to corporate monopoly. Some decent quality exists as, 'organic food,' but are way over priced and often just GMO corporate produced still lacking in nutritious and heirloom old world quality. For a country and people to thrive, they need to flourish not only in the arts, but in industries centering around small business based economy loyally committed to the people to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. The other sides of the world is looking truly beautiful and next level, but we know diversity doesn't work so I can't just trounce off to be a new resident in a far off land. After about a month, locals are wondering, 'when is this American going to leave to return home to his family and job or is he gay or perhaps criminal?' Of course tourism is a luxury allotted only for a well monied few from each country having nothing to do with looking for a new country, job , and way of life.

[@charmersify]

Уэбекистани помогает Английский хорошо?

[@hcdup8707]

Who needs an ✈️, just buy a carpet and fly/ travel лол

[@-DC-]

I've got an Uncle Stan I'll send him a 🔗 x

[@vard301]

Why don’t you guys go to Armenia

[@shinwaramin8582]

i thought maybe an eastern Europe country

[@knopkaplay0507]

Come on... Closed off to foreigners... When? In the Soviet times, when Samarkand and Bukhara were tourist destinations? After the revolution, when they invited thousands of foreigners to help with cotton industry (including, for instance, the American grandfather of Elena Khanga?) Before it became part of the Russian empire? Back when it was part of the Silk Road?

[@minime7375]

Given the population is predominantly Muslim, did the Koreans also convert to Islam? Or do they practice any religion in particular?

[@Svobodnyi-Chelovek]

Koreans in Uzbekistan practice Christianity!! They have own churches in Uzbekistan.

[@Fahadtheofficial1]

I miss china now

[@Dr._S_Brule]

Never was closed lol

[@teresamc7630]

🩵

[@isotropisch82]

I went to Uzbekistan around 8 year ago. It was... OK. The historic places are very sanitised and quite like museums and the non historic places are kind of dusty and soulless. I didn't like the food at all. The Registan in Samarkand is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen, equivalent to the Taj Mahal in beauty, and the old architecture is very evocative. The people are nice, although a few tried to scam us. In all, I'm glad I went, but I have no desire to return.