Sayilgoh Street Souvenir Shops

Sayilgoh Street, known informally as Broadway, is a pedestrian promenade in central Tashkent, Uzbekistan, lined with souvenir shops, small galleries and artists who display paintings along the walkway. The street is the city's most convenient place to buy gifts in one spot, and its shops concentrate on items popular with visitors: suzani embroidered textiles, ceramics, miniature paintings, wooden items, silk and cotton scarves, doppi skullcaps, chapans (traditional robes), magnets and postcards. The mix includes genuine handmade pieces and mass-produced souvenirs, so the ratio of authentic craft to tourist trinkets is mixed and quality varies considerably between shops. Magnets and small items start from around 15,000 UZS (about $1.25), while suzani pieces start from around 300,000 UZS (about $25) and rise sharply for large, hand-embroidered work. Bargaining is common and expected at artists' stands and in small shops, and a discount of a modest percentage is often possible, particularly when buying several items. Cash in Uzbek som is widely used, and a number of shops accept cards. No general tax-refund process applies to small souvenir purchases, although some larger shops may handle VAT refund paperwork if asked. To judge authenticity, visitors should look for irregular hand stitching on suzani, natural dyes and weight on ceramics, and ask whether an item is hand-made or factory-produced. The atmosphere is relaxed and strollable, with street performers, cafes, ice cream stands and benches along the promenade, so food and drink are easy to find. Shops generally open around 10:00 and close around 21:00. For a deeper craft selection, visitors can compare prices here with the craft cells of the Barak Khan Madrasa and Chorsu Bazaar before committing to a larger purchase.