It is the legends of the past and the mythical name of Samarkand that have guided the steps of most visitors to Uzbekistan. The country owes much of its unique character to the turbulent history that has made Central Asia a crossroads of civilizations. From the empire of Alexander to that of the Tsars, through Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, the "Turan" has seen the birth, the confrontation, the cohabitation or the death of the most vast empires that the sun has ever shone upon. Throughout the centuries, the Silk Road ensured, until the advent of the great maritime routes, the commercial and cultural links between China and Europe. From its military, economic, religious and architectural past, Uzbekistan has kept thousands of traces, testimonies and customs. The magic of this past bewitches the modern traveler who finds himself confronted with a myth all the more mysterious and seductive because it has remained inaccessible for a long time.

The fascinating monuments of the Silk Road

The first reason to travel to Uzbekistan is undoubtedly the fact that it is a place of great beauty. The stories of the great travelers, first and foremost Marco Polo, the great desert caravans, the axis linking China to the West... So many subjects of dreams and wonder that Uzbekistan, thanks to its architectural and archaeological heritage, allows to approach more closely.

The Samanid, Karakhanid and Timurid dynasties have left us with a legacy of magnificent monuments, such as the incomparable Reghistan or the gigantic Bibi Khanum mosque in Samarkand, the Poy Kalian complex and its impressive minaret in Bukhara, or the small city of Khiva, a unique example of oriental architecture that is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The historical sites are even more numerous: the citadels of the desert in Khorezm and Karakalpakstan, the hill of Afrosyab in Samarkand, the vestiges of Buddhist temples in the south, around Termez, the petroglyphs of the desert... There is hardly a village which does not offer a mosque, a madrasa, a mausoleum or the ramparts of an old citadel to be discovered.

Tashkent, a mythical capital

Tashkent, the capital located in the western foothills of Tian Shan, is the most important economic, scientific and cultural center of Central Asia. It is also an essential stop on the Silk Road. During a visit to this city, one should stroll on the Tamerlane Square to admire the equestrian statue of the great conqueror and the architecture of the Congress Palace. You should also visit the International Museum of Peace and Solidarity and the Chorsu Bazaar. Many travelers do not consider Tashkent as an essential city on the way to the oases of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. However, the capital has many treasures that are worth a visit and should convince more and more curious people, ready to get in touch with another image of the country.

Samarkand, the majestic city of the empire of Amir Timur

Legendary city of the Silk Road, one of the most beautiful that ever existed under the sun, capital of one of the greatest empires in history, Samarkand can not leave indifferent. The Timurid city, as old as Rome or Babylon, is a universe apart and, if along the great boulevards dug by the Soviets and more recently by the Uzbeks, the ringing of cell phones and pop music bring us back to the 21st century, the imposing monuments inherited from the reign of Tamerlan (1336-1405) plunge us into a completely different era.

Samarkand has retained many of its architectural treasures, including the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the largest in Central Asia, the monumental Reghistan Square, the Gur Emir's Mausoleum and the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis complex, to name a few. Of course, all of these monuments have undergone numerous destructions and degradations through the ages, but they have nevertheless come down to us. It is this miracle that particularly touches the visitor to Samarkand.

Bukhara, the "Noble

Bukhara-i-Sharif, the Noble Bukhara", was a famous center of the Islamic world. Bukhara was also the birthplace of Sheikh Bakhaouddin Nakchbandi, the main figure of the Sufi mysticism of Islam and its philosophy. More than 350 mosques and 100 centers of Islamic teachings testify to the religious importance of the city.

Any traveler to Uzbekistan must stop in Bukhara, whose name also evokes all the splendors of the East. The city has so many treasures that three days will not be enough to discover it. And the tourist infrastructure is developing rapidly, which will make your stay more pleasant and make you want to stay longer. However, you should not forget the surroundings of Bukhara, which offer the opportunity for day or half-day excursions. You can visit the ruins of Varakhsha or the mausoleum of Naqchband, one of the most important holy places of Islam. For the amateurs, the Avicenna museum in Afshana traces the career of this father of modern medicine. More than Samarkand, Bukhara is often considered, by those who have traveled to Uzbekistan, as the most pleasant city to visit, the concentration of sites (in addition to their splendor) offering beautiful walks.

Khiva, the mysterious city

Khiva, which is more than 2500 years old, is a unique curiosity. The glittering renovations have given it a movie set look, all the more unreal as the inner city was emptied of its inhabitants by the Soviets. Today, Khiva has 40,000 inhabitants, but only 1,500 families have, since independence, recovered their house inside the first wall. Architecturally, it is a real trip back in time, even if most of the monuments are not older than New York. Until the 17th century, Khiva had no economic, political or military power. But it is precisely its peculiarity, to have been frozen in time without undergoing major changes. We will visit the dazzling medersa Mohammed Rahim Khan, the Tosh Hovli palace and the funeral complex of Pakhlavan Mahmud.

Smart info

When to visit? There are two recommended periods: mid-March to mid-June and late August to early November. The low tourist season, during the summer heat wave, offers pleasant stays in the mountains. In the middle of winter, road conditions are sometimes difficult because of ice. Rarely, even during the Ramadan period, many stores and restaurants remain open during the day.

Getting there. There are many flights between Paris and Tashkent between 520 and 620 € on average with Uzbekistan Airways (direct flight), Aeroflot or Turkish Airlines; the counterpart is a stopover in Istanbul or Moscow. Count about the same price between the different companies, a little more expensive but more convenient with Uzbekistan Airways.

The specialist. To prepare your trip as well as possible.

Karavan Travel is run by the three Sanakulov brothers, originally from Samarkand. They are French speaking and specialize in tailor-made tours (for groups or solo travelers). With a great experience as guides and lecturers, they founded in 2008 this human-sized agency and propose trips close to the locals, to discover traditions, cultures and gastronomy.

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