Culture & History
Khorezm: The Civilisation Before the Khanate
Khorezm before Khiva: the Afrighids, the Khwarazmshahs, al-Biruni and al-Khwarizmi, the Mongol catastrophe of 1221, and the desert forts you can still visit.
330 guides · page 13
Every guide
Things to Do
Nurullaboy Palace: Khiva's European Experiment
Nurullaboy Palace in Khiva: Isfandiyar Khan's Russian-influenced reception hall, the tiled throne room, the separate ticket and whether it's worth the walk.
Travel Tips
The Khiva Combined Ticket, Explained
What the Khiva Ichan Qala combined ticket covers, what it doesn't, how long it lasts, and why published prices disagree. Read this before the ticket booth.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat in Bukhara: An Honest Guide
Where to eat in Bukhara: the Lyab-i-Hauz terraces, the rooftops, the places locals use, plus price bands, opening hours and what the city does differently.
Things to Do
Bukhara's Craft Workshops: Where to Watch Things Being Made
Blacksmiths, miniaturists, embroiderers, puppet-makers and weavers in Bukhara: which workshops are real, who to ask for, what to pay, and how to behave.
Culture & History
Bukhara Gold Embroidery: Zardozi Explained
How Bukhara's zardozi gold embroidery is made, what a real hand-worked piece costs, and the three checks that separate hand stitching from machine work.
Things to Do
The Zindan: Bukhara's Prison and the Bug Pit Story
Bukhara's Zindan jail, the bug pit, and what's actually verifiable about Stoddart and Conolly. What to expect from the museum, fees and how long to allow.
Itineraries
Three Days in Bukhara: An Hour-by-Hour Plan
Three days in Bukhara, paced hour by hour: the old town core, the outlying shrines and palaces, and a craft day. With fees, walking times and heat tactics.
Culture & History
The Tomb of Saint Daniel, Samarkand
Samarkand's Tomb of Saint Daniel holds an 18-metre sarcophagus, a growing-body legend and a healing spring. What's history, what's story, and how to visit.
Things to Do
Eternal City, Samarkand: An Honest Review
Samarkand's Eternal City is a purpose-built version of old Uzbekistan on 11 hectares. What's there, what it costs, and whether it earns an evening.