The Tashkent Metro opened in 1977 as the first metro system in Central Asia.
Planning began after a devastating 1966 earthquake reshaped Tashkent's urban development. Construction of the first, Chilanzar Line, began in 1972, and the initial section opened on November 6, 1977, with nine stations. The network was built during the Soviet period, when Tashkent was the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.
The metro is known not only for its regional first but also for its elaborate station interiors. Many stations feature themed mosaics, chandeliers, marble, and decorative designs reflecting Uzbek history, culture, space exploration, or Soviet symbolism. These artistic interiors helped make the system a landmark rather than merely a transport network.
A common mix-up is confusing Tashkent with Almaty or Bishkek, which also became major Central Asian cities with metro or rapid-transit systems. Tashkent's distinction is its opening date: it was the region's first metro, decades before Almaty's metro opened in 2011.