The Poi-Kalon Minaret was built in 1127 and stands 45.6 metres tall. It is part of a cityscape with a long architectural history: more than 140 monuments in Bukhara, each over a century old and from different periods, have been preserved. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was added to the World Heritage List in 1993.
Monuments from Different Periods
The Poi-Kalon Ensemble stands at the foot of the Kalon Minaret on Registan Square in Bukhara. It includes the Miri-Arab and Amir-Alimkhan madrasas, the minaret and a mosque of the same name. The Ark Fortress tells another part of the city’s history: it served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for almost one and a half millennia.
The Magoki-Attori Mosque is also part of the historic centre; it is considered the oldest mosque in Bukhara. The Samanid Mausoleum was built between 892 and 907 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. The buildings offer different historical and architectural perspectives, and there is more to discover than a single ensemble.
Tim Abdullah Khan is a 16th-century trading dome in the historic centre. Visitors can buy Bukhara carpets, handicrafts, paintings and musical instruments there. The Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble is one of the central monuments of old Bukhara; concerts, Uzbek clothing fashion shows and other events are held there. If you are planning to attend an event, check the specific dates.
Palaces, Handicrafts and Regional Cuisine
At Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa Palace, a complex built in the European style meets Oriental interior design. The palace is divided into a men’s section and a women’s section; today, it houses a museum of decorative and applied arts. The combination of different stylistic features gives a visit its own architectural focus.
In Gijduvan, embroidery is made entirely by hand with silk threads. The cuisine offers another regional discovery: Gijduvan shashlik is a well-known grilled meat or kebab speciality associated with Gijduvan. In Bukhara, visitors can also take part in a culinary masterclass and prepare Oshi Sofi, a traditional Bukhara dish, together with local cooks. Check in advance whether a masterclass on preparing Oshi Sofi is currently available.
Craft workshops in the tourist mahalla of Kurgan give visitors the opportunity to experience local hospitality and traditional ways of life. Cultural and historical sites on the grounds of the ancient Gijduvan Kurgan Fortress have been prepared for tourist visits, including the Old Stone Hammam and the Bozori Qaymoq, Boloyi Kassobon and Boborakhimboy mosques.
Desert, History and Getting Around the Province
Bukhara Province lies in southwestern Uzbekistan and borders Turkmenistan and other Uzbek regions. Bukhara is the region’s centre. Its landscape extends beyond the city: most of the region is covered by the sand expanses of the Kyzylkum Desert. The ruins of the medieval settlement of Paykend were swallowed by desert sands over millennia, preserving their remains to this day.
The specialised Jeyran breeding station is also part of the region. The station is located between Kogon and Karaulbazar on the A-380 in Bukhara District; goitered gazelles are bred there under special conditions.
For a spiritual perspective, the Chor Bakr Memorial Complex is part of an official travel programme that includes pilgrimage rituals. The Bahauddin Naqshbandi Complex is 12 kilometres from Bukhara. There is a museum there with exhibits and information about his life and work. The high-speed Afrosiyob train takes approximately four hours to travel from Tashkent to Bukhara.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Kagan District, Navoiy Province, Ferghana Province, Andijan Province, Republic Of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent, Jizzakh Province, Samarkand Province
Return to the main travel overview: Uzbekistan.
