Bukhara Travel Guide

Bukhara is a famous Silk Road city on a desert-edge oasis in south-central Uzbekistan. With over 2,000 years of history, it is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, deepest in Islamic heritage, and best preserved in its medieval townscape; its entire historic center is a World Heritage Site, like a living museum of an ancient city. The climate is most pleasant in spring (Apr–May) and autumn (Sep–Oct), while midsummer is scorching. Unlike Samarkand's splendid imperial grandeur, Bukhara is a rustic, tranquil and complete medieval city — its earthen alleys are densely lined with millennial minarets, mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, caravanserais and domed bazaars. The most famous is the Kalyan Minaret, built in the 12th century, about 47 m tall, with majestic brickwork, which has stood through wars and still stands today; beside it are the Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i Arab Madrasah. There is also the exquisitely brick-built Samanid Mausoleum, the Ark Fortress, the pleasant Lyabi-Hauz Pool square and traditional bazaars. Mosques are solemn, so dress modestly.