Things to Do at Amir Timur Square
Complete Guide to Amir Timur Square in Tashkent
About Amir Timur Square
Amir Timur Square sits at the geographic and symbolic heart of Tashkent, a broad circular plaza shaded by rows of mature plane trees whose canopy filters the Central Asian sun into dappled pools on the pavement below. At its center, a bronze equestrian statue of the 14th-century conqueror Amir Timur rises from a granite pedestal inscribed with his motto in four languages.
The statue was unveiled on the 31st of August, 1994, on the eve of the third anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, replacing a succession of earlier monuments that had stood here since the square was first laid out during the Imperial Russian period. The air around the fountains carries a fine mist in summer, and in winter the bare branches frame the turquoise dome of the Amir Timur Museum just across the road.
What strikes you first is the scale. The square opens outward toward some of Tashkent's most recognizable buildings: the Soviet-era Hotel Uzbekistan with its massive concrete lattice facade, the pale blue dome of the Timurids museum, and the glassy modern sweep of the Palace of Forums. Pigeons wheel overhead, children chase each other across the paving stones, and elderly men sit on benches reading newspapers or watching the foot traffic with unhurried patience.
For whatever reason, this particular square tends to feel quieter than its importance suggests, on weekday mornings when the surrounding avenues hum with trolleybus wires and car horns but the plaza itself absorbs the noise under its tree cover. It is a useful starting point for exploring central Tashkent on foot, with the metro entrance just steps away and several of the city's major landmarks within a ten-minute walk.
What to See & Do
The Amir Timur Equestrian Statue
The bronze figure of Timur mounted on a warhorse catches the light differently through the day, turning from dark olive in morning shadow to a warm amber glow by late afternoon. The pedestal carries an inscription sometimes translated as 'Strength is in justice,' rendered in four languages. You'll notice local couples posing for photos at its base and, interestingly, tour guides delivering competing histories of the man himself, each version slightly more dramatic than the last.
The Amir Timur Museum
Impossible to miss thanks to its striking turquoise dome, this museum opened on the 18th of October, 1996, and houses collections dedicated to the Timurid dynasty. Inside, the rotunda echoes with footsteps on polished stone, and the walls are lined with reproductions of miniature paintings, weapons, armor, and manuscripts. The interior feels cool even on the hottest Tashkent afternoons, making it a welcome escape from the heat.
The Palace of Forums
Erected in the autumn of 2009, this sweeping modern structure hosted the SCO Summit and continues to serve as a venue for state events. Its glass and steel facade reflects the surrounding greenery, and the contrast with the older Soviet architecture nearby gives you a compressed sense of Tashkent's layered history. You can walk right up to its perimeter gardens, where the smell of freshly cut grass and blooming roses tends to linger through spring and early summer.
Hotel Uzbekistan
This Soviet-era tower with its distinctive concrete-lattice exterior has become a landmark in its own right. Whether you find it brutally handsome or just brutal likely depends on your taste. But there is no denying its presence on the Tashkent skyline. The ground-floor lobby retains some of its original mid-century grandeur, all marble floors and oversized chandeliers, and even if you are not staying here it is worth stepping inside to feel the cool marble under your feet.
Fountains and Plane Tree Alleys
The fountains ringing the central statue send up jets that catch the breeze, misting anyone who stands too close on a windy day. The plane trees, some of them likely a century old judging by their girth, form a dense overhead canopy that hushes the surrounding traffic noise. Benches beneath them fill up around sunset, when the light goes golden and the temperature finally drops to something comfortable.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Amir Timur Square is an open public plaza accessible around the clock. The Amir Timur Museum nearby keeps regular daytime hours and closes on Mondays, though it is worth confirming seasonal schedule shifts before you plan a visit around it.
Tickets & Pricing
The square itself is free to enter at any time. The Amir Timur Museum charges a modest entry fee, with a small additional charge if you want to take photographs inside. Tickets are purchased at the museum entrance, and queues are rarely an issue outside of national holidays and school group visits.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning is surprisingly pleasant: the square is quiet, the light is soft, and you might have the statue to yourself for a few minutes. Late afternoon into early evening brings the best atmosphere, with families strolling after work and the western sun turning the buildings warm orange. Midday in summer is punishing, with the concrete plaza radiating heat back at you from every direction, so plan accordingly.
Suggested Duration
The square itself takes maybe twenty to thirty minutes to walk and photograph. Pair it with a visit to the Amir Timur Museum and a slow loop of the surrounding gardens and you could comfortably spend an hour to ninety minutes before moving on to the next stop.
Getting There
The easiest approach is by metro. The Amir Temur Hiyoboni station on Tashkent's metro system exits directly onto the square, and using the metro is both the cheapest and fastest way to reach it from most parts of the city. Bus routes 38 and 58 also stop nearby if you prefer to travel above ground and watch the city go by.
Taxis from the old town or Chorsu area are inexpensive by most standards and take roughly fifteen minutes depending on traffic. If you are already exploring central Tashkent on foot, the square is an easy walk from Mustaqillik Square or the Alisher Navoi Grand Theatre, both within about ten minutes at a comfortable pace.
Things to Do Nearby
Tashkent's Independence Square sits a short walk south. Pair it with Amir Timur Square for a morning exploring the city's monumental core. The wide promenades and memorial gardens feel different. More formal. More spacious.
Uzbekistan's principal opera and ballet house sits within easy walking distance. Visit for the exterior alone. Soviet neoclassical architecture blends with traditional Uzbek decorative motifs. Evening performances cost remarkably little. Time it right.
These towers frame one avenue leading from the square. Photograph them at dusk. They light from below. Use them to orient yourself in central Tashkent. Simple. Effective.
Chorsu lies farther out, reachable by metro. It is the sensory opposite of Amir Timur Square: loud, fragrant with cumin and dried apricots, packed with vendors selling fresh bread to handmade knives. A perfect counterpoint. See the city's lived-in side after the square's manicured calm.
This 19th-century building sits directly opposite the square. It dates to the Turkestan governor-general era. Walk past and you might miss it. The facade rewards closer inspection. Period detailing survives.
Tips & Advice
Tours & Activities at Amir Timur Square
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