The capital of Uzbekistan suffered greatly during the 1917 revolution. In fact, it was practically destroyed and little of its architectural heritage remains, unlike the other cities you will visit. However, what remains is precious: The Madrasa of Kukeldash, the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, among others. With its modern, European air, the city has had to move on, and is an exciting place to explore.
As your exploration of Tashkent continues, you find that despite its modernity, it is a city well rooted in its past. An important trading hub, the bustling Chorsu Bazaar attests to that heritage. In the evening, fly to Khiva.
Khiva is a beautifully preserved city with dozens of monuments and well-preserved old houses. This gem of architecture will soon have you dreaming of the tales of the 1001 Arabian Nights.
Bukhara is a city that lives in legend. Your journey mimics the daring of the ancient traders along the Silk Road. You travel through the Kyzylkum Desert, with its red sands and foreboding landscapes.
Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara was one of the most important posts along the Silk Road. Once the trade route dwindled in commercial importance, it remained a conduit for ideas and religions. As you walk the enchanting streets you think of the Ancient World, which you usually believe long gone: it turns out it remains with us.
After a morning tour of Bukhara, you undertake the long transfer to Samarkand, the Rome of the East.
Probably one of the most ancient cities in the world, Samarkand holds many beautiful sights and, throughout its long history, has accumulated a patina that can only be described as magic. The city has cultivated its heritage through craftsmanship, and many of the ancient arts that gave it prominence in the heyday of the Silk Road are still practiced today. This curious “acting out” of the past is no pastiche, as it happens in so many other destinations. On the contrary, this is a city that clings proudly to a time when it was centre of the world.
After another day of exploring Samarkand, you take the train back to Tashkent. Entering the capital, it becomes obvious that you had been travelling not only across Uzbekistan, but across time.
The gem of Central Asia enchanted you with its turquoise adornments and warm people. The echoes of the Silk Road can still be heard along the ancient routes. As the plane takes off and you attempt to commensurate the enormous extension of this regions, you realise that there is so much more to explore in the ancient crossroads of the world.
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