Bukhara: Hotels and Accommodation

The historic centre of Bukhara along the Silk Roads is more than two thousand years old. It preserves a largely intact urban structure associated with the Islamic cities of Central Asia from the 10th to the 17th century. The surviving cultural heritage includes the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the Poi Kalyan Minaret, the Magoki-Attori Mosque, the Chashma-Ayub Shrine, the Ulugbek Madrasa and the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble.

Culture

The Bukhara State Museum-Reserve has more than 130,000 exhibits relating to Bukhara’s more than 2,500-year history and material and spiritual culture. The museum reserve comprises 15 branches and three permanent exhibitions.

History

The Ark Citadel is Bukhara’s oldest architectural monument and served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers until 1920. Its historical exhibition covers Bukhara’s history from the Palaeolithic period, dated to 100,000 to 12,000 BC, to the Timurid period in the 14th and 15th centuries. The exhibition also includes archaeological finds from the ancient settlements of Paikend, Varakhsha, Uchkulakh, Setalak and Kyzylkyr; the finds date from the 4th to 3rd century BC to the 20th century.

Architecture

The Kalyan Minaret was built in 1127 by Arslan Khan, ruler of the Kara-Khanid state. The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa is part of the Poi-Kalon architectural ensemble, which also includes the Kalyan Mosque, the Kalyan Minaret and the Madrasa of Emir Alimkhan. The Kukeldash Madrasa is part of the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble.

Chor Minor is an architectural monument in Bukhara built in 1807. Its four towers are topped with domes and decorated with glazed mosaics. Lyabi-Hauz was once a trading post on the Silk Road; concerts are held within the ensemble. Visitors entering the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa through the main entrance can see the marble tomb of Sheikh Abdullah al-Yamani and the presumed burial site of Ubaydullah Khan.

Surroundings

Near Bukhara lies Sitora-i Mokhi-khosa, a palace four kilometres north of the city. The former country residence of the last emir of Bukhara, Sitora-i Mokhi-khosa, is now a museum of decorative and applied art. The religious complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandiy is also located near Bukhara, on the outskirts of the city; it is a centre for followers of the Naqshbandiyya order.

Events and Cuisine

At one edition of the traditional “Oriental Cuisine” festival, visitors were able to sample a variety of Uzbek national dishes and sweets. The traditional “Silk and Spices” festival features eastern spice markets, markets selling Uzbek silk and cotton fabrics, music concerts, ethnic fashion shows and craft fairs.

A four-day itinerary for Bukhara includes a visit to the crafts centre in the recently restored Modari-Khan Madrasa, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of the History of Bukhara Calligraphy.

Season and Tips

Bukhara has hot, dry summers and relatively mild winters. When visiting religious sites in Uzbekistan, women are advised to cover their shoulders, waist and legs.

Those wishing to book a hotel in Bukhara can continue their accommodation search afterwards.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kagan District.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Bukhara in Uzbekistan: Old Town, Madrasas and Travel Tips, Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.