Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Samarkand
1
Although already an important oasis
Bukhara
2
Central Asia's most interesting town,
town, it was Timur (Tamerlane) who
turned Samarkand (p169) into one of the
most beautiful cities in Asia. Visit Timur's
own mausoleum, the Gur-E-Amir, followed
by the spectacular street of tombs of his
Timurid relatives. For epic and audacious
architecture it's hard to beat the crum-
bling remains of the epic Bibi Khanum
Mosque, built for Timur's wife. Then throw
in the breathtaking Registan Square (one
of the Islamic world's greatest architec-
tural ensembles), some great bazaars and
the 2000-year-old remains of Afrosiab,
the original Silk Road trading town.
Shah-i-
Zinda (p173)
Bukhara (p187) is the one urban
space that best rewards some serious
exploring. Visit the medieval Ark from
where Emirs ruled with a cruel, vicelike
grip; sip green tea beside the Lyabi-Hauz
pool; and then start at the towering Kalon
Minaret for a stroll through the surround-
ing network of bazaars, bathhouses and
trade halls. Best of all are the labyrinthine
backstreets, home to hidden synagogues,
Sui shrines and half-forgotten medres-
sas. Bukhara also boasts the region's
most stylish B&Bs, many in converted
merchants' houses.
Kalon Minaret (p192)
