Tashkent flights likely after Hong Kong–Almaty route launches in January 2027

Getting to Uzbekistan from Hong Kong currently means connecting through Shanghai, with the trip to the capital Tashkent taking 15 hours in total. That could change: direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty in Kazakhstan are slated to begin in January 2027, and Tashkent is likely to follow.

Key facts

• Route used: Hong Kong to Shanghai, then a connecting flight to Tashkent — 15 hours in total
• New route: direct Hong Kong–Almaty flights slated to begin in January 2027
• Uzbekistan: direct flights to Tashkent are likely to follow, but no date has been announced
• Entry: Central Asian countries offer visa-free entry, though no nationalities or stay lengths are specified
• Trip length covered: four days, starting in Tashkent

How do you reach Uzbekistan from Hong Kong?

There is no direct service on the route described. The journey goes from Hong Kong to Shanghai and then connects onward to Tashkent, taking 15 hours altogether. Travellers arriving in Tashkent find wide, paved roads, ample space for cars and a broad network of pedestrian streets.

Are direct flights on the way?

Direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan, are slated to start in January 2027. A direct link to Tashkent is described as likely to follow, but no launch date has been given.

Do travellers need a visa?

Visa-free entry is cited as one reason Central Asia is drawing more visitors, alongside improved transport connectivity and demand for destinations that are not crowded. The source does not say which nationalities qualify for visa-free entry, how long they may stay, or what rules apply to everyone else.

What is there to see?

A four-day trip beginning in Tashkent takes in architecture, art and food shaped by centuries of cultural exchange along the old Silk Road. Highlights include the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and other historical sites in Samarkand, described as Uzbekistan's second city, traditional suzani embroidery workshops in Tashkent, and meals featuring shashlik and cured meats.

What this means for travellers

Anyone planning a trip should check whether their nationality qualifies for visa-free entry before booking, since the source gives no detail on eligibility. Those flying from Hong Kong should also factor in the 15-hour journey with a Shanghai connection unless and until a direct Tashkent service opens.

No date has been announced for direct Hong Kong–Tashkent flights. The Hong Kong–Almaty route is slated to begin in January 2027.