The cities that lie on the ancient and medieval trade route, also known as the Silk Road, still have their charm today, and in places you will feel as if you are in another century. Experience this unique atmosphere and visit the historic center of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Buchara – What To See
Bukhara can act as one large museum, full of historical monuments. Like Samarkand, Bukhara is located on the Silk Road and is one of the most beautiful places in Uzbekistan. All monuments are accessible on foot and can be seen in just one day. The city has a medieval feel and you can feel for a while as if you were traveling in time.
Samarkand – on the Silk Road
In the main square of Ljabi Hauz, sit with a cup of tea and buy souvenirs. Throughout the city there are “Karavanserais” and “Trading Domes”, where local craftsmen offer products of their own creation, such as. damask steel knives, camel leather products, large Persian rugs or silk scarves. Top sights include the 12th-century Kalon Minaret and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, which stands opposite the Calon Mosque. The Divan-begi Madrasah Madrasa is part of an architectural complex located around a square where you can enjoy the greenery. About 15 minutes walk from the square stands Chor-Minor, a small but photogenic monument with four minarets. And if you get tired all day, you can end up in the medieval hamama Bozori kord. It’s an incredible experience! Bukhara is a city you will not want to leave.
Uzbekistan is also a country of vast deserts and mountains, which are home to many ruins. If you want to enjoy the desert, stay in one of the tents, where you can try to live as a local and watch the stars in the evening.
Buchara – Transportation
The great thing about Bukhara is that all the sights are within walking distance. They are literally everywhere in the historic center, so you don’t have to deal with other transport here.
Another situation occurs if you need to get to / from an airport or train station.
The train station is located about 15 kilometers from Bukhara in the village of Kogon. From the station they fly to the town of Maršrutky (they have a stand at the end of the parking lot). On the way through the parking lot, you will have to get through a horde of taxi drivers, but you can negotiate a decent amount with them for transportation to the city. You just have to be relentless and insist on the amount you are willing to pay.
We recommend using a night bed train from Samarkand to Bukhara.
The airport is just outside the city and it is best to take a taxi – the price needs to be negotiated and if you negotiate, you will not pay much.
Buchara – Food and Drinks
The food is almost the same throughout Central Asia. Although many dishes do not originate in Uzbekistan, they are still local dishes for them.
Uzbek cuisine is dominated by Shashliks, Plov and Lagman. You can also enjoy Tabaka chicken and stuffed sachets called Manta. The soups are Chorba and Tarator.
On the street you can enjoy fresh Sams, which has various fillings (most often meat).
And even though Uzbekistan is a Muslim country, they have beer in almost every restaurant, and you can even treat yourself to chilled beer in local teahouses, so-called teas. Cognac, which is drunk along with pieces of chocolate, is also popular here.
Tip:
We recommend that you drink water from closed bottles. You should not drink tap water even in hotels!
Tip:
In Uzbekistan, it is common to change money on the street and there is no need to worry about anything. This is also done by the locals, who usually carry money in plastic bags. A worse exchange rate awaits you at the bank, and thanks to the bureaucracy, the change takes an awfully long time.
See also:
Bishkek, Ala Archa and Issyk-Kul – get to know Kyrgyzstan and its beauties
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TravelMapsGuide.com