Bukhara Region: World Heritage, Architecture and Desert Landscape

Bukhara Region lies in southwestern Uzbekistan and borders Turkmenistan as well as other Uzbek regions. Bukhara is the region’s center; most of the area is covered by the sandy expanses of the Kyzylkum Desert. This brings together different themes for planning your trip: Bukhara’s historic architecture, regional craft traditions and archaeological sites.

Bukhara: World Heritage and Architectural History

The historic center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was added to the World Heritage List in 1993. More than 140 monuments from different periods, each more than a century old, have been preserved in the city. Several buildings bring its long history to life in different ways: the Samanid Mausoleum was built between 892 and 907; the Poi-Kalon Minaret was built in 1127. The Samanid Mausoleum was also added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

The Poi-Kalon ensemble stands at the foot of the Kalon Minaret on Registan Square in Bukhara. It comprises the Miri-Arab and Amir-Alimkhan madrasas, the Kalon Minaret and a mosque of the same name. At 45.6 meters high, the minaret is a precisely measurable part of this ensemble. The Ark Fortress offers another perspective on the city’s history: it served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for almost a millennium and a half. The Magoki-Attori Mosque, in turn, is the oldest mosque in Bukhara.

Ensembles, Palace and Trading Dome

The Lyabi-Hauz ensemble is one of the central monuments of old Bukhara. Concerts, fashion shows featuring Uzbek clothing and other events take place there. If you want to attend a particular event, check in advance whether it will take place during your trip. Tim Abdullah Khan offers a different glimpse into the history of trade: built in the 16th century, this trading dome is located in the historic center. Visitors can buy Bukhara carpets, handicrafts, paintings and musical instruments there.

Sitorai-Mohi-Khosa Palace combines a complex built in European style with Oriental interior design. The grounds are divided into a men’s section and a women’s section. Today, the palace houses a museum of decorative and applied arts. The combination of its architecture, interior design and present-day use as a museum sets this site apart from the ensembles in the historic city center.

Archaeology and Pilgrimage Traditions

You’ll find different highlights beyond Bukhara’s buildings, too. The ruins of the medieval settlement of Paykend were covered by desert sand over millennia, preserving their remains to this day. The Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi Complex is 12 kilometers from Bukhara. The complex has a museum with exhibits and information about his life and work. The Chor Bakr Memorial Complex is included in an official travel program that provides for pilgrimage rituals.

Gijduvan: Crafts and Regional Cuisine

Cultural and historical sites on the grounds of the ancient Gijduvan Kurgan Fortress have been prepared for tourist visits. These include the Old Stone Hammam and the Bozori Qaymoq, Boloyi Kassobon and Boborakhimboy mosques. In the craft workshops of the tourist mahalla of Kurgan, visitors can experience local hospitality and traditional ways of life. Gijduvan embroidery is also a traditional handicraft: it is made entirely by hand using silk threads.

Gijduvan shashlik is a well-known local grilled meat or kebab specialty. In Bukhara, visitors can also take part in a culinary master class and prepare the traditional dish Oshi Sofi with local chefs. Check in advance whether the class is offered during your trip. This is a way to plan a culinary highlight without treating shashlik and Oshi Sofi as the same dish.

Landscape and Regional Facilities

The Kyzylkum Desert covers most of the region. The specialized “Jeyran” breeding center is also located in this regional setting: it lies between Kogon and Karaulbazar on the A-380 in Bukhara District, Bukhara Region. Goitered gazelles are bred there under special conditions. The center is a different regional highlight from the historic city monuments.

Getting There and Finding Hotels

The Afrosiyob high-speed train takes approximately four hours to travel from Tashkent to Bukhara. By plane, Bukhara can be reached in just over an hour.

When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide on the focus of your trip: Bukhara brings together the historic ensembles described above and a museum, while Gijduvan offers a different emphasis on crafts and local cuisine.

Discover More Destinations

Kagan District, Navoiy Province, Qashqadaryo Region, Khorezm, Republic of Karakalpakstan, Surxondaryo Region, Ferghana Province, Jizzax Region

For the broader travel overview: Uzbekistan.