Introducing Khiva
Khiva’s name, redolent of slave caravans, barbaric cruelty and terrible journeys across deserts and steppes infested with wild tribesmen, struck fear into all but the boldest 19th-century hearts. Nowadays it’s a mere 35km southwest of Urgench, past cotton bushes and fruit trees.
Advertisement
The historic heart of Khiva (Uzbek: Xiva), unlike that of other Central Asian cities, is preserved in its entirety – but so well preserved that the life has almost been squeezed out of it. As a result of a Soviet conservation programme in the 1970s and ’80s, it’s now a squeaky-clean official ‘city-museum’. Even among its densely packed mosques, tombs, palaces, alleys and at least 16 medressas, you need imagination to get a sense of its mystique, bustle and squalor.
A few of the historic buildings in Ichon-Qala are functioning mosques or shrines, but most are museums. You can see it all in a day trip from Urgench, but you’ll take it in better by staying longer. Khiva is at its best by night when the moonlit silhouettes of the tilting columns and medressas, viewed from twisting alleyways, work their magic.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Re: Travelling by Taxi or Train and how many days in each city...
by daniviyana 08 September 2011
Hi, one week for Uzbekistan in not much... There is a lot to see and discover. Within this short time you will have to concentrate on…
-
RE: Savitsky Museum in Nukus
by CentralAsia_traveler 03 September 2011
Yes, Yes, Yes! Well, maybe... Let me explain. A 7-8 hour drive -- especially across the remote deserts of western Uzbekistan --…
-
Re: Uzbekistan: Safe to travel around alone as a young woman?
by trav1970 18 August 2011
Hello, I am no lady, but generally Uzbekistan is rather safe. A lot of police around, especially in Tashkent. I often saw local young…
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.
Advertisement
