'''Bokhara''' (also spelled Bukhara Bukhoro or Buxoro) in Uzbekistan was historically one of the great trading cities along the Silk Road. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get in

Trains run from both Samarkand and Tashkent regularly. The trains themselves are comfortable ex-Soviet type things, with cabins usually accommodating 4 people. Uzbekistan Airways has several daily flights between Tashkent and Bukhara, which take about one hour.

Get around

The Old Town is where you want to be. The beauty of it is that there is no need at all for any form of transport other than your feet as the town is so small. Also, many of the streets are far too slim to allow cars down them.

See

  • Kalyan Minaret.

    Do

    Buy

    Bokhara has long been a center of carpet trading. The style of rug called "Bokhara" are actually made by the Turkoman tribes of the area and might better be labelled Turkoman rugs. Indian or Pakistani rugs may also be marketed as "Bokhara rugs" if they copy Turkoman designs. It is actually possible to visit a UNESCO site in the old town and see how the dyes for the carpets are made from natural ingredients, and also watch teams of around 2 women weave them.

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    There are numerous bed and breakfast places around the Lyabi Hauze complex. These are excellent for independent travellers. Rooms can be had quite cheap (less than $20 per person but standards and prices vary place to place), but make sure you look at a few before you make your choice. Some of them are amazing houses set round courtyards and provide an unforgettable experience much better than any hotel. You can also expect some top quality breakfasts with fruit, bread, cheese, yoghurt, and an unlimited supply of tea!

  • Amelia Boutique Hotel. Bozor Hodja Street. 998 65 2241263 or 998 65 2242631, within Uzbekistan 8 365 2241263 or 8 365 2242631. ttp://www.hotelamelia.com. S$ 20 per person with full breakfast. All rooms have a A/C, satellite TV, bathroom facilities, fridge, hairdryer, phone.

  • Hotel Grand Nodirbek. 0 Sarafon Street. 5 meters from the Lyub-i-hauz ensemble. 998(65) 224-3446. ttp://all-hotels.ru/h116124/hotel/index.en.html. S $20-30 with breakfast. Nice Interior Courtyard, friendly receptionist named Fahreddin, satellite television (great if you understand Uzbek, Russian, or Turkmen), a/c. Bathrooms are extremely clean and modern.

  • Hotel Malika. 5 Shaumyana Street. 998 65 2246256. nfo@malika-bukhara.com. ttp://www.malika-bukhara.com. ir conditioning and satellite TV.. S $35-45 with breakfast.

  • Hotel New Moon. shoni pir str., 8 . 98652244442. nfo@hotel-newmoon.com. 98652242034. ttp://www.hotel-newmoon.com. S $20-30 with breakfast. Located in centre of town.

  • Madina & Ilyos B&B. ehtar Anbar St. 18. 998-65-224-6162. S from $12 with breakfast. Located in centre of town. </sleep>

  • '''Hotel Amulet''' [http://amulet-hotel.com] located in the old city of Bukhara, just next to the ancient Lyabi Khauz ensemble (16-17th century). It was built in the early 19th century by a famous merchant, Said Kamol, as a madrasah where students lived and studied everything from philosophy to religion. Today it remains a national monument that has been reconstructed to allow others the chance to experience the traditional life of years ago. Room facilities: bath room with the shower; air conditioning; heating; satellite TV; hair-drier.
  • Get out

    Khiva - another silk road city

    Samarkand