Silk Road Adventure: Majestic Mountains & Timeless Architecture

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is often used by travelers as a gateway to the majestic Tian Shan Mountains. The high glaciers of Kyrgyzstan’s Ala Too Mountains and the Ala Archa National Park with rare wild animals and beautiful hiking trails are also easily accessible from the city. What is less known is that the city of Bishkek also has a lot to offer in terms of culture, art, traditional bazaars and food. The State Museum of Fine Arts, the Opera and Ballet House and Ala Too Square in the center are also worth a visit. Browse the Osh Bazaar, a major landmark offering traditional Kyrgyz handicrafts as well as nomadic hats and clothing. Kyrgyzstan’s diverse culinary scene combines the cultures of the nomadic and sedentary peoples of Central Asia with those of China and India. Gourmets will find a wide selection of dishes here. Look forward to “beshbarmak”, tender lamb with noodles and broth, or the fragrant rice dish “pilaf” with refreshing tea.

Experience Uzbekistan’s ancient Silk Road heritage in the modern capital of Tashkent. Intricately built mosques with turquoise tile accents stand alongside brutalist Soviet-era buildings and contemporary structures. Aromas of fresh local ‘non’ breads waft through the air every morning, and mostly white-colored vehicles ply the roads! The region’s traditional rice dish is best tasted at the Central Asian Plov Center. Next to the landmark Hotel Uzbekistan, the fountained Independence Square dotted with its monuments and manicured gardens, is ideal for people-watching. Amir Temur Museum offers a lesson in the region’s rich history, and the expansive Hazrat Imam complex houses the world’s oldest Quran. Within a blue-colored dome in the old town, the vibrant and bustling Charsu Bazaar showcases an assortment of food and crafts stalls, while offering a glimpse into local Uzbek life. Tashkent’s plush underground metro stations from the 1960s are the first-of-its-kind in Central Asia and are individually designed with exquisite features that tell stories of the past.

In western Uzbekistan, explore the open-air museum city of Khiva, located in the southern delta of the Amu Darya River. Once notorious for the slave trade, today’s Khiva enchants with its impressive architecture, vibrant crafts, local music and distinctive food. The bustling historic center and winding streets are lined with ocher walls, many decorated with ornate tiles in various shades of blue. The Itchan Kala center is home to countless museums, mosques, mausoleums and minarets. The 218-columned Juma Mosque offers a pleasant respite from the bustling surroundings, and the towering Islam Hojja Minaret offers panoramic views of Khiva. Also visit the Tash Hauli Palace, with elements of secular Khorezm architecture, and the Pakhlavan Makhmud complex, which honors Khiva’s patron saint and his family. In Dishon Kala, beyond the inner ramparts, are more modern attractions from the 19th and 20th centuries, such as the opulent Isfandiyar Palace

In central Uzbekistan, discover Bukhara, a romantic oasis rising from the red sands of the Kyzylkum Desert on the ancient Silk Road. Bukhara is considered the holiest city in Central Asia and in times past served as an interface for ideas, cultures and religions between Asia and Europe. The atmospheric streets are flanked by heritage buildings with outstanding Islamic architecture. Discover well-preserved 16th-century mosques, minarets, mausoleums, and religious schools or “madrassas” in the Po-i-Kalyan complex. Admire the distinctive turquoise domes and intricately designed facades. Between walks in Bukhara’s Old Town, traditional tea houses around the leafy Lyab-i-Hauz Square offer the prospect of relaxing breaks while local residents play a game of dominoes and chillum pipes are passed around. Covered bazaars, especially the souvenir stalls in Chor Minor, present the region’s special products. The caravanserai hostel and the bathhouse ruins bear witness to Bukhara’s eventful travel and trading history. The Ark Citadel’s many museums, which have housed local emirs since the fifth century, provide insights into the city’s rich past. The towers of the property offer wonderful panoramic views of Bukhara.

Visit the spectacular city of Samarkand, a famous trading hub of Uzbekistan on the ancient Silk Road. This legendary jewel of Central Asia features both modern development and architectural masterpieces from the Timurid dynasty. The beautiful Registan Square is illuminated 24 hours a day and is the heart of the city. Surrounded by three religious schools or “madrassas”, the main bazaar once took place in the tree-shaded inner courtyard. Today, the dazzling Siab Bazaar is the center of local commerce, offering a variety of products from bread to spices. The pedestrian zone on historic Tashkent Street, lined with craft shops and carpet boutiques, is dominated by the expansive Bibi Khanum Mosque. The Hazrat Hizr Mosque, fascinating mausoleums such as Timur’s Gur-E-Amir and the Shah-i-Zinda mortuary, which is constantly under construction, bathe the cityscape in various shades of blue. Also explore Samarkand’s oldest ruins in Afrasiyab and the ancient Ulugbek Observatory, or enjoy a tasting at winemaker Horvenko.