Uzbekistan has one of the youngest populations in the world – more than 60% are under 30. Being surrounded by a sea of young people on Tashkent's metros, which double as art museums with Soviet-era mosaics, you can see a new generation taking over.

As the country strives to maintain its unique traditions and cultures, it is investing in tourism with new hotels, train routes, domestic flights and cultural attractions to grow its economy, retain its youth and attract more visitors.

Uzbekistan is getting its first major international biennial with the Bukhara Biennial in September 2025. Other major cultural developments include an expansion of the State Museum of Arts designed by Tadao Ando and the restoration and partial reconstruction of the Palace of Prince Romanov.

As of May 2024, citizens of more than 90 countries (including the UK, Canada and Australia) can visit Uzbekistan without a visa. The president has said he intends to create a Global Green Tourism Startup Lab to bring together the country's commitment to a green economy with tourism. Crossing the border with neighbouring countries has also become easier. The region's first international railway route, the Silk Road railway tour, launched in November 2024 and now connects Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. – Kathleen Rellihan

BBC Travel's list of the 25 best places to travel in 2025:

1. Dominica
2. Naoshima, Japan
3. The Dolomites, Italy
4. Greenland
5. Wales
6. Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
7. Tuscon, Arizona, US
8. Western Australia
9. Sri Lanka
10. Panama
11. Rif Mountains, Morocco
12. Bradford, England
13. Jordan
14. Haa Valley, Bhutan
15. Hawaii
16. Uzbekistan
17. Haida Gwaii
18. Emerald Coast, Nicaragua
19. Isle of Man
20. Pakistan’s Gilgi-Baltistan region
21. Azores
22. Kansas City, Missouri, US
23. Bolivia
24. Botswana
25. Oslo, Norway