Beshariq, Uzbekistan

Capital City

The population of Beshariq is just over 10,000, a figure that hasn't budged much since the late Soviet era. This sleepy provincial town in Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley offers a quiet, unglamorous existence far removed from the glitz and energy of the country's capital Tashkent. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with locals citing the hassle of navigating the local administration. Still, for those seeking a slower pace of life away from the crowds, Beshariq could be a comfortable option.