Whether you’ve already been, or are still planning to go on a Central Asia Rally and savor the delish dishes of the region, making one of their signature national meals yourself is going to make you proud as heck, and serve as a hearty reminder of good times past or soon to come. Today’s […]
Continue ReadingTag: Uzbekistan
Ancient Settlements Discovered near Khiva, Uzbekistan
Just by to the ancient city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, the desert oasis of Khwarezm offers a treasure trove of anthropological and archaeological history. Dotting the vast desert of what used to be ancient Khwarezm are the ruins of countless towns and forts collectively known as the Golden Ring; they’re definitely worth a visit […]
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Tomb of the Prophet Daniel in Samarkand
The 18 metre long sarcophagus of the mysteriously ceaselessly growing dead prophet in Samarkand is not the only one that claims to be the final resting place of Prophet Daniel, but it is arguably the most puzzling one. Where are the others? The most widely accepted one of these places is in Susa, Iran. […]
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Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan: the Core of Central Asia
As you approach the destination of your Central Asia Rally on day 11, your path will take you past the very core of Central Asia – the Fergana Valley. We don’t just mean this in terms of geography: the valley, enclosed by the the Gissar-Alai range to the south and Tian Shan Mountains to […]
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Uzbekistan: Looking Beyond the Silk Road
Have you marveled at the magnificent turquoise domes and minarets of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, and more ancient Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan, and wondered what might lie beyond the striking mosques, and madrasas? If so, the answer is a resounding yes. There’ plenty more to see in this amazing country, such as these five […]
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The Poi Kalyan of Bukhara: a masterpiece of architecture with a dark secret
Hot on the tails of our last post on the magnificent feats of architecture that the madrashas – ancient institutions of higher education – of the Middle East are, today we turn our gaze to a particularly splendid example, the Miri-Arab of Bukhara, together with two other iconic pieces that comprise the complex in […]
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Uzbekistan Highlights – The Madrasas of Bukhara
Now that we’ve toured the webby world of Uzbek texiles, it’s time to start a new thread (as it were), and take a peek into the world of Madrasas, centers of Muslim education and religion. They are very common in the Islamic world, and today we’ll have a look the ones in In Bukhara […]
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Magic Weaves of Uzbekistan: the Ancient Art of Ikat
You’ve seen in our last piece that thankfully, the ancient art of silk printing is on the upswing again in Central Asia. Today we’ll be showing you that there are even more reasons to celebrate on this front, as one of its sister traditions is also gaining ground in the rich tapestry of the […]
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Witness the Wonder of The Ancient Art of Silk Printing in Tashkent
As you retrace the trails of ancient treasure-laden caravans in the shadows of majestic architectural masterpieces along the Central Asian section of the Silk Road, you might be tempted to pause for a minute to envision everyday life as it would have unfolded amongst these monuments: the sounds and sights of streets that spun […]
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Remembering When Muhammad Ali Visited Central Asia
Yes indeed: as you fling your rucksack into the back and step on the gas in Astrakhan to begin the lifetime adventure that is your Central Asia Rally, besides enjoying the multitude of natural, architectural, and cultural delights of this mystical part of the world – perhaps unbeknownst to you -, you’re also about […]
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Evolution of the Yurt – Changing Faces of an Ancient Tradition
There’s no denying it – yurts, the circular tent-like houses native to the endless rolling steppes of Central Asia, are the epitome of a happy marriage between utility and beautiful design, so it’s not surprising that they’ve not only endured through millennia up to the 21st century, but populate the globe from Siberia to […]
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The Chimgan Mountains – A Perfect Weekend Getaway
Although this place is mostly known for its ski slopes, you’ll quickly realize one very important thing: it doesn’t matter whether it’s the summer or the winter, the Chimgan Moutains will provide you with umpteen things to do. Photo Credit: Caravanistan Just 80 kilometers away from Tashkent you’ll find the vast Chimgan Mountains, […]
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