 Urgench is a crossroads when traveling towards Khiva. Beyond this asset, the city has no particular appeal.

Asia

Assalomu alaykum! Welcome to Uzbekistan, an epicentre for many civilisations, a place steeped in world history and tradition, and home to rare, untainted landscapes. Once a witness to the grandeur and decadence of the Mongol and Persian Empires and a privileged step of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan still has countless treasures from its multicultural past. From the Bukhara Madrasas to the gems of Timurid architecture, we come to the Khanate of Khiva in the heart of the desert, which seems almost timeless . You can feel the weight of history pervading the whole area. The country also offers great excursions, on foot and by camel, and the opportunity to discover wildlife which, despite the drought, remains as varied as it is exotic. During walks in the steppes and mountains, you will have the opportunity to observe gazelles, scorpions, lynx, mountain sheep and even snow leopards in their natural habitats.

Uzbekistan

Urgench

Khiva is a small, fortified town located in the middle of the Uzbek desert. The town is an open-air museum with an enormous number of Islamic religious monuments that are open to visitors.

Khiva

 Bukhara is considered to be the holiest city in Central Asia. It's a key stop on a  trip to Uzbekistan between mosques, madrassas (Islamic schools), and even mausoleums that have been here for thousands of years. 

Bukhara

Tashkent is a nice city to visit - Uzbekistan has some economic development here, far from the traditions of the East and very touristy cities of the West.

Tashkent

 Shakhrisabz is authentic! I really enjoyed walking around here. The architectural heritage has not yet been renovated and it is far from the tourist crowds.

Shahrisabz

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I really liked the palace that let us see the condition of buildings before being renovated and also how magnificent they were in their time. Jehangir's tomb and Timur's crypt also are places that deserve mention, joined to a mosque in the shade of various trees. The place isn't only visited by tourists. It is used by the locals, who make the atmosphere very authentic and pleasant. When I went there, the city was doing some major construction between Ak Sarai Palace and the Kok Gumbaz mosque. So the city will be getting a face lift in the years to come. Pending the completion of this construction, it isn't very nice to go for walk in the rest of the city, especially along Ypak Yoli. The bazaar has been moved further south. Despite the construction, I really enjoyed walking around birthplace of Timur Lang: beautiful monuments that aren't yet overly renovated and friendly people, all in all a beautiful trip.

Shakhrisabz is authentic! I really enjoyed walking around here. The architectural heritage has not yet been renovated and it is far from the tourist crowds.

Located around 100 kilometers south of Samarkand, at first glance, Shakhrisyabz looks like any other medium-sized Uzbek town with a population of around 50,000 and no major points of interest. Shakhrisyabz thoroughly deserves its entry on the as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revealing historical wonders that date from a time when the city's influence eclipsed that of Samarkand: the palace, mosques, and tombs date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and it's impossible to pick a favorite from this incredible, historic complex. I particularly liked the small town's restful atmosphere, even though I wouldn't stay there for an extended period, and I enjoyed the ability to take long walks through the nearby mountains. It's certainly an interesting stop on a <a href="/uzbekistan/">journey through the heart of Uzbekistan</a>.

The small Uzbek town of Shakhrisyabz reveals an incredible and historic palatial complex.

Shahrisabz Vacations

Shahrisabz: How to get there?

Shahrisabz: See when to go ?

Shahrisabz: For how long?

Shahrisabz: What to see nearby?