28 January 2022
In her article "On Fair Plov," Olga Yakovina, chief travel expert at National Geographic Traveler, calls Bukhara the Central Asian Mecca and the mecca of modern tourists. After all, here you can get an incredible multiplicity of experiences, both emotional and gustatory, learn a lot of new and interesting, imbue with the spirit of centuries-old history, touch the shrines, to bring back from your trip amazing souvenirs and handmade things for home and friends. At the same time, travel turns out to be incredibly eventful and quite budgetary, and the level of comfort for tourists in Uzbekistan is constantly growing.
To have a good rest without excesses and problems, with maximum comfort, it is better to look in advance and pick a hotel. There are many hotels in Bukhara for different categories of tourists - adventurers and business travelers. You should book a hotel in Bukhara beforehand.
Treasure chest of ancient artifacts
Until now it was not possible to establish the exact date of Bukhara's foundation. The artifacts raised from a depth of twenty meters prove that 2500 years ago there was a great and advanced civilization. The largest gold coin of antiquity and many other valuable artifacts (buildings, jewelry, utensils and tools) were found here. Adventurers and treasure hunters, collectors of stories and philosophical truths will certainly find something to do here. Sogdian "buharak" means "happy place".
The crossroads of religions and capital of five kingdoms
More than 2,500 years ago, the Sogdian culture that gave birth to Bukhara as a fortress city originated in the Zeravshan Valley. The city became a center of the whole Bukhara valley.
The great ruler Timur elevated Bukhara to the title of "sharif," which means "sacred." The word "Bukhar" itself means "temple," a place of ascension to prayer. There are traces of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Manichaeism, and idolatrous pagans. It is not just a neighborhood of Islamic, Muslim and Christian shrines, but can be located in the same temple, for example: the Mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub. The city hosts many religious festivals every year, with religious rituals and customs.
The center of high culture
Bukhara also means "abode of knowledge". The historic center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a cultural, architectural, and historical heritage of humanity. In 2020 Bukhara was chosen as the official cultural capital of Islam. World famous fairs and festivals are held here.
In X century the great scholars and creatively gifted people gathered in Bukhara: historians Narshakhi, Balazuri, Tabari, Miskaveikh, poets Rudaki and Dakiki, physician, mathematician and encyclopedist Ibn Sina (Avicenna). There was a huge library, book depository and book market.
In the 16th century the town flourished as a Sufi monastery. Over two hundred madrassahs, with their magnificent arched facades and unique "kosh" architecture, created an incredible visual effect and a powerful aesthetic impact. The perfect symmetry, the multitude of colorful ornaments, and the doors enthralled in a dizzying kaleidoscopic effect.
A luxurious pearl of the Silk Road
The city has a rich history and cultural heritage captured in architecture and tradition. Some historians claim that the first settlers were Aryans coming from India and Iran. Legends say that the city was founded by the son of the Iranian king Siyavush. However, the city's splendor and fame came only with the opening of the Great Silk Road. To this day, only here you can buy the best oriental spices and exquisite fabrics: silk, adras, ikat and other textile wonders. Fluttering in the wind crossroads of the worlds of fabric, give the city a special atmosphere of fairy tale.
The heart of the city is the Ark fortress, the embodied in the architecture of the history of many states and dynasties, which has seen the great battles and major trade caravans. Its walls were destroyed and rebuilt anew. Now it is a museum-monument, partially restored and open to tourists.
The Mausoleums of Samanid and Ayub Bowl, Chor Minor, Sitorai Mohihosa Palace are worth special attention of the cultural tourists. It is impossible to describe the spirit that is present in these majestic structures. You have to visit them in person.
Gastronomic delights
It is an oasis for health and organic food devotees as well as gourmands, meat-eaters and vegans. The variety of oriental cuisine intertwines with European dishes, flavors, spices, fruits and herbs. Meat and vegetables cooked on live fire is incredibly delicious and healthy, baking from a tandir, pilaf from a cauldron - all this gives a lot of taste and aromatic experience, and amazingly delicious! At master-classes you can learn how to cook dishes according to ancient recipes, and in the bazaars you can buy sharp knives, unique kitchen utensils and lots of spices.
Bukharian pilaf is a special dish prepared according to Ayurvedic recipe. Avicenna recommended it for healing many diseases.
Exclusive shopping
The goods of craftsmen, presented in the bazaars and ethno stores are not only colorful, but also completely handmade. These are true masterpieces of carpet weaving, weaving, forging and other folk crafts, the traditions of which are only passed down through the family line. Each shape, ornament and material has sacred significance and is necessarily endowed with the magical powers of nature and inspiration of the creator. Handicrafts and skilled handicrafts are still respected in Uzbekistan.
Bukhara "shakhristan" - is the only open air museum-bazaar in the world. The majestic caravanserais impress with their power and elegance. The domes and enfilades are more like palaces with their exquisite decoration. The stalls are full of robes and skullcaps, carpets and suzane, handmade crockery and jewelry, leather and fur products.
Beautiful at any time of the year
Bukhara is a "must see", a place that everyone must see. It is attractive not only because of its majestic history and cultural heritage, but also because of its tradition of hospitality, shaped over the millennia. Here, every traveler has always been welcomed with affability and warmth. This genuine atmosphere attracts tourists for new impressions and a thirst for discoveries, especially their own sense of the world.
Whether in blooming spring, sunny summer, generous autumn or invigorating winter - Bukhara is beautiful in any season. The main thing is to learn to feel its beauty and blissful abundance.
Come and book hotels in Bukhara in advance.
Touch the handmade magic!