 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

Located deep in the Ferghana Valley, Margilan is a town with a rich history, and which is famous for manufacturing silk. 

Marguilan

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According to legend, Margilan was founded by Alexander the Great and was a notable stop on the Silk Road. Unfortunately, Margilan now only offers a few of its treasures up to travelers as they pass through. Even though the town displays few signs of its historic past, there are nonetheless a few traces that remain, as Margilan is home to one of the most impressive silk factories, which employs nearly 2,000 people. I only passed through very quickly and Margilan doesn't feature in my memories as a particularly interesting place. There are however some beautiful mosques in the downtown area, reflecting the fairly pronounced religious conservatism of this Uzbek city of around 150,000 inhabitants. While it is far from an essential element of a <a href="/uzbekistan/">journey to Uzbekistan</a>, a stopover of a few hours can be quite interesting, particularly in relation to the production of silk.

Located deep in the Ferghana Valley, Margilan is a town with a rich history, and which is famous for manufacturing silk.

For me, Margilan is all about Uzbek craftsmanship in all its glory: traditional techniques that have been passed down through the generations, an enormous bazaar, and a few tourist buses (though not too many). I recommend that you spend half a day visiting a silk workshop, where you will find a blend of beautiful products and detailed explanations of the techniques and designs involved, all delivered with a zest for history that recall the development of the silk road. Then head for Margilan's ultra-traditional marketplace, which provides the ideal opportunity to enjoy ripe fruit and vegetables, or even a taste of "Plov", a traditional Uzbek dish served at the back of one of the many stores. Don't spend too long, however! Richtan awaits you, with its brightly colored ceramics, especially on Sundays, when the Kumtepa Market opens its doors! Located between Margilan and Richtan, this marketplace is an ideal venue to buy pieces made by Uzbek craftsmen, with a great choice and quality and, above all, prices that are far below those charged in Uzbekistan's more tourist-focused towns.

Are you a fan of handcrafted goods? If so, Margilan and the surrounding area could have been made especially for you! On the other hand, if you are more interested in monuments built to honor the Emir Timur, keep going and head toward Samarkand.

Marguilan Vacations

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