Destination 》Asia 》Central Asia 》Uzbekistan 》Bukhara
Year Visited: 2019 – September
I visited Bukhara during my 3+ weeks backpacking trip across Uzbekistan. After admiring Timurid Renaissance in Samarkand for 4 days, I took a very comfortable fast train to arrive in Bukhara, another major trading post on the ancient Silk Road.
Bukhara, “The city of museums”, contains more than 140 architectural monuments of the Middle Ages. Some of them were built 1300+ years ago. Entire ancient town is under protection of UNESCO World Heritage. Bukhara is a perfect place to get lost in, wander around in it’s narrow streets, there is a lot to see. Bukhara is one of the three iconic Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan, other two must visit ancient cities are Samarkand and Khiva.
Po-i-Kalyan Complex is the most impressive architectural complex, it houses the Kalyan Minaret, the Kalyan Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa. By the way, Sarbast Original is a very refreshing Uzbek beer.
The Kalyan minaret built in 1127 to summon Muslims to prayer five times a day. When Genghis Khan arrived around 100 years after the minaret’s construction, he ordered it to be spared when all around was destroyed by his army. The minaret is also known as the Tower of Death, because until as recently as the early twentieth century criminals were executed by being thrown from the top.
Kalyan Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, part of Po-i-Kalyan Complex, built during early 16th century. For the best sunset view of the Po-i-Kalyan Complex, visit a bar/restaurant across the square, they have a terrace overlooking the complex.
Ancient town of Bukhara has many buildings with very impressive architecture, many of them are also protected under UNESCO World Heritage.
After wandering around in narrow streets of Bukhara for 4 days, I decided to take a train to Khiva, another major trading post on the ancient Silk Road. I didn’t know at that time that a very pleasant surprise was waiting for me!
Window on the World 