Broadway (Sayilgoh Street)

Broadway, formally Sayilgoh Street, is a pedestrian promenade in central Tashkent, Uzbekistan, running close to Amir Timur Square. Locals use the English nickname for the stretch, which is lined with cafes, benches, fountains and, above all, street artists. The shopping here is informal and artistic rather than commercial: portrait painters and caricaturists work at easels, and stalls and tables sell paintings, prints, miniature art, lacquer boxes, ceramics, magnets and assorted souvenirs. The mix leans toward tourist-oriented gifts, so mass-produced trinkets sit alongside original canvases; visitors who want authentic work should look for artists painting on site and ask whether a piece is their own. Prices are moderate, and original paintings range widely depending on size and artist. Bargaining is accepted and expected for paintings and souvenirs, usually with a polite counter-offer, while portrait fees are normally agreed before the artist begins. Cash in Uzbek som is the main payment method, and some artists accept transfers or foreign currency informally; card terminals are not typical at street stalls, and there is no tax-refund scheme for these purchases. The atmosphere is leisurely, with families, couples and students walking in the afternoon and evening, and it becomes liveliest after work and at weekends. Food options are plentiful, since cafes, ice-cream stands and small restaurants line the street, making it easy to combine browsing with a break. The street is short and straight, so the whole length can be walked in under an hour, with the artists clustered along the central section. Visitors should confirm the price of a portrait or painting before it starts, check how a painting will be packed for travel, and be aware that unframed canvases are easier to carry home than framed ones.