Angren Yangiabad: Taking a Silent Towns Day Trip

Thinking about a trip that’s a bit out of the ordinary? Maybe you should think about Angren and Yangiabad in Uzbekistan. A day trip to these towns is more or less a peek into history. Both towns used to be Soviet mining communities. Now they are mainly abandoned. You will find remnants of a time long since passed. The location of both destinations is a picturesque valley that’s approximately 150km away from Tashkent.

The Allure of Angren and Yangiabad

What makes Angren and Yangiabad special, that is what it really boils down to. The towns stand out since both tell stories from the past. You’ll feel it when you’re visiting. It isn’t just the scenery either. Angren is pretty much a mining town still and is rather known for its rather harsh environment. Yangiabad is almost completely deserted. Here you can see abandoned buildings. So too it offers amazing mountain scenery.

You can think of the day trip as exploring both of these drastically contrasting places. You can basically examine the changes brought about by time. You get to connect with history in such an obvious way. It’s like stepping back in time. Then too it offers a great experience. Getting away from the more well known Uzbek destinations can also be interesting.

Planning Your Trip to Angren

Before going to Angren, there are some things you might want to look into. Transport is a big factor to consider, it seems. There are public options, of course. However, those can be slow. Very often they’re less comfortable than just taking a taxi. Maybe think about a private car, or even hire a driver for the day. Doing this will give you much more freedom. Also you can actually enjoy the landscape, too.

You have to take the time to explore Angren’s town center to find it enjoyable. It is what it is though. A functional mining community first. It’s not specifically created to entice tourists. Visit the bazaar and take a good look at everyday life, right. You can also find pretty affordable places to grab lunch. In other words sample the local food.

Exploring Yangiabad’s Ghost Town

Next, it is time for Yangiabad. A complete contrast is almost staring you in the face when you are there. Yangiabad feels completely isolated. So too it shows this isolation very strongly. The crumbling Soviet era buildings will probably capture your imagination as you explore them, right. Some buildings still contain old furniture or personal belongings. Basically those tell tales of a population that moved on rather abruptly. Exploring this town requires you to pay attention to safety precautions. The structures might just be rather unstable. This is an important safety tip!

If you hike up one of the slopes, you’ll discover truly breathtaking views, that’s for sure. Just like your, almost your, reward for completing a rather exciting hike. You can glance over the whole valley and the mountains almost. Seemingly these landscapes serve as rather a somber contrast to the man made remains of the ghost town. The combination of nature and what it reclaims might just give you pause. A real opportunity for thought!

Practical Considerations for the Day Trip

For a day trip like this, be ready for basically all types of weather conditions. Basically temperatures in the mountains can shift, you see. They can fluctuate dramatically through the day. Bringing layers, for instance is crucial, really. Basically you should pack sunglasses and sunscreen because you are exposed when you hike, after all.

It can get a bit dangerous going off-road. You definitely require the right vehicle to drive it, after all. That, I’d say is what it really amounts to. When arranging for transportation, find out whether your taxi driver is able to go on dirt roads. That could save you from some troubles. Pack lots of water. Basically you might get dehydrated otherwise!

Respecting the Local Culture and Environment

As with every travel adventure, remembering the importance of behaving ethically is key, seemingly. Consider it the cornerstone of responsible traveling. Treat locals and the local traditions respectfully at all times, you know. In those areas it’s pretty important, really.

When you are exploring the abandoned structures be kind, OK. Very probably preserve their existing conditions for those who come later. Stay on already created paths to prevent ruining the local plant life. Leaving no waste helps retain the area for those who might come visit at a future time. Every action to take the nature into account helps sustain this somewhat less known attraction so others may come and find value for many years, you know.

Photography Tips for Angren and Yangiabad

Angren and Yangiabad have a wealth of photography possibilities, almost, that you can bet on. If photography is on your schedule it’s very simple to locate great photograph ideas. Consider sunrise for capturing the stark appeal of Yangiabad, it appears. The initial light can set off the deserted construction’s feel in very stunning detail.

Look for wide perspective pictures with the landscape too, just to present the range of scenery too. Test out shooting in monochrome for Yangiabad’s scenes. That is a terrific tool to bring out its bleak grandeur that comes by nature.