In the heart of Central Asia lie Khiva and Buchara, two enchanting cities along the legendary Silk Road where history is not only visible, but palpable.
Fairy tale city of Khiva
Within the city walls of Itchan Kala, Khiva's Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will walk through a virtually intact medieval setting. Narrow streets lead past centuries-old mosques, minarets, mausoleums, madrassas and palaces where the khans of Khiva once resided with their harems. Many buildings are richly decorated with colorful mosaics and glazed tiles. Highlights include the striking turquoise Kalta Minor, the stately Kunya Ark, once the city's power center, and the serene Juma Mosque, famous for its "forest" of wooden columns. Khiva is compact and intimate, making it effortless to imagine yourself back in time here.
Caravan city of Buchara
Buchara, one of the oldest caravan cities in Central Asia, was for centuries a crossroads of trade, science and culture. At the same time, the city played a role in the power play of the legendary The Great Game, where spies and diplomats sought to expand their influence. The city still exudes that mysterious atmosphere, with its impressive blue domes and slender minarets. The lively bazaars are full of vegetables, fruits and spices, while madrassas, mosques, caravanserais and hidden courtyards define the street scene. The imposing Po-i-Kalyan complex with its iconic Kalyan minaret dominates the skyline. Daily life plays out around the atmospheric Lyabi-Hauz, where tea is sipped under mulberry trees. Also visit the impressive Ark of Bukhara and the sophisticated Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest structures in Central Asia. Just outside the city are the emir's summer palace, Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, as well as the Chor Bakr spiritual complex and the sacred Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Complex.