3 great Uzbek destinations along the Silk Road

Our friends Ania and Jon of the Hitch-Hikers Handbook share some hidden treasures from along the Silk Road.

Hitchhiking across Uzbekistan is a veritable feast of friendly people, tasty food and above all fantastically beautiful destinations. It is the most spellbinding beauty along the ancient silk road with three stunning destinations, all of which are UNESCO listed, a must see for all those interested in the region.

Khiva

Once marking the last stop for caravans before entering Iran, Khiva is a stunning collection of over 50 monuments and 250 traditional dwellings which simply take the breathe away. The stunning Muslim architecture is among the finest on Earth and the collective effect  of the walled inner city of Itchan Kala is what leaves an indelible impression , rather than the individual buildings. Be sure, however, to check out the four city gates as well as the 21 elegantly carved wooden pillars in the Djuma Mosque but mostly just enjoy walking around the streets, occasionally looking up at the glistening domes of this remarkable place.

Bukhara

With architecture spanning from the 10th to 17th centuries, Bukhara is Central Asia’s best preserved medieval city. Famous for its beautiful madrasahs and mosques, its highlights include the 11th century Kalon Mosque, whose courtyard is big enough to hold over 10,000 worshippers and the Timurid era Ulugbek Madrasah which is the oldest madrasah in Central Asia, but they are just two examples of a host of wonderful religious buildings to visit. Furthermore, there is the stunning Kalon Minaret which was built in 1127 and stands at an imposing 47m as well as the area around the peaceful Lyabi Hauz square which is packed with wonderful buildings from across the ages. As a lived-in city Bukhara feels both contrastingly lively and tranquil at the same time and is home to a way of life that has changed little over the years.

Samarkand

Famed for its central location along the silk road and as an important centre of Islamic study since the Middle Ages, Samarkand is probably the most famous Silk Road city in Uzbekistan. Once, the capital of the Timurid Empire, the city is home to some of the most diverse constructions anywhere in the country such as Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the Observatory of Ulugh Beg and the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis which would be a draw enough in themselves. The real jewel in the crown, however, is what many regard as the single finest site anywhere in Central Asia, the Registan Ensemble. Registan, which means ‘sandy place’ in Tajik, was medieval Samarkand’s commercial heart and originally boasted an extensive bazaar. The open plan square is surrounded by three of the oldest madrasahs in the world and it is a Mecca for photographers as the colours of the façades mutate throughout the day with the changing of the light.

Watch our video to discover what hitchhiking in Uzbekistan is like:

Read more about Jon and Ania’s hitchhiking adventures on their website – HitchikersHandbook.com