population: 0.32 million
extension: 200 square kilometers
If you're interested in museums and art, you should definitely visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum located in Nukus. It has a unique collection of Russian avant-garde art, as well as traditional Karakalpak art. If you want to visit other museums of a similar type near Nukus, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan in Tashkent is a good option which features a vast collection of Uzbek and Russian art.
Uzbekistan, in general, has a rich culinary tradition. Here are some of the most recommended and popular dishes to try in Nukus:
1. Plov: A rice dish cooked with meat, vegetables, and spices. It is often considered the national dish of Uzbekistan.
2. Shurpa: A hearty soup made with meat, vegetables, and herbs.
3. Manty: Steamed dumplings filled with spiced meat and onions.
4. Lagman: Noodle soup with a mix of vegetables, meat, and spices.
5. Samsa: A pastry filled with meat or pumpkin, onion, and spices.
6. Shashlik: Grilled skewered meat, usually lamb or beef, served with bread or rice.
7. Chuchvara: Small boiled dumplings filled with minced meat and onions, usually served in broth.
8. Kuksu: Handmade noodles in a vegetable or meat broth.
9. Kebabs: Marinated, grilled meats, usually served with grilled vegetables.
10. Non bread: Traditional Uzbek bread, baked in a clay oven known as tandyr, it is commonly served with meals.
These are just a few of the many delicious dishes that you can try while in Nukus.
There are a few fun activities that local people enjoy in Nukus and its surroundings:
1. Visit the Mizdakhan Necropolis - an ancient cemetery located around 6 km from Nukus, which contains intricate stone carvings and mausoleums.
2. Take a camel ride across the Kyzylkum Desert, where you can explore the sand dunes and witness stunning sunsets.
3. Visit the Ayaz-Kala fortress - a series of well-preserved fortresses built in the 4th century BC, located around 30 km from Nukus.
4. Explore the Chilpik Kala ruins - an old castle located around 40 km from Nukus. It is believed to have been built in the 4th century AD and was used as a Zoroastrian temple.
5. Enjoy traditional Uzbek cuisine at local restaurants, such as shashlik, plov, and lagman, which are all popular dishes in the region.