go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Bukhara

Advertisement

Introducing Bukhara

Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara has buildings spanning a thousand years of history, and a thoroughly lived-in old centre that probably hasn’t changed much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan.

Advertisement

Most of the centre is an architectural preserve, full of medressas, a massive royal fortress and the remnants of a once-vast market complex. The government has pumped a lot of money into restoration, even redigging several hauz filled in by the Soviets. Although the centre has become a bit too clean and quiet (‘Ye Olde Bukhara’ as one traveller put it), the 21st century has still been kept more or less at bay, and the city’s accommodation options go from strength to strength.

Until a century ago Bukhara was watered by a network of canals and some 200 stone pools where people gathered and gossiped, drank and washed. As the water wasn’t changed often, Bukhara was famous for plagues; the average 19th-century Bukharan is said to have died by the age of 32. The Bolsheviks modernised the system and drained the pools.

You’ll need at least two days to look around. Try to allow time to lose yourself in the old town; it’s easy to overdose on the 140-odd protected buildings and miss the whole for its many parts.

Last updated: Mar 24, 2009

Tips & articles

  1. Top sights of the Islamic world

    12 June 2012

    The Islamic world covers some of the greatest treasures of the natural world as well as some of the finest...

    Read more

  2. Where to escape the daily grind

    27 March 2012

    Perhaps all you want from your honeymoon is a brief escape from the modern world. Look no further than these...

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Bukhara

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels in Bukhara

See all hotels and hostels in Bukhara

Travel Insurance

Going to Uzbekistan? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement