Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ak Orda (Presidential Palace) and parliament buildings, Astana (p98), Kazakhstan
Altay
Gorgeous mountain
valleys, snowcapped peaks and
the myths of Shambhala are
the drawcards here, if you can
get around the red tape. (p111)
Western Pamirs
The wild and
remote valleys around Khorog,
especially the Bartang Valley,
boast incredible scenery, home-
stays and tough treks, making
it a great place for mountain
exploration. (p342)
Otrar
This dusty hill changed
the course of Central Asian
history when Chinggis Khan's
emissaries were murdered
here, plus it's where Timur
(Tamerlane) died. (p87)
Gonur Depe
This active
archaeological site in the
Margiana Oasis dates back
to the Bronze Age and may
have been the birthplace of
Zoroastrianism. (p391)
Termiz
Visit Buddhist monas-
teries, Bactrian temples and
Islamic shrines at Termiz, on
the border with Afghanistan.
(p183)
imagination, for the fol-
lowing ruins rank as some
of the most pivotal histori-
cal sites in Asia.
Afrosiab
Stand in the
footprints of Alexander and
view Sogdian-era murals at
the melted remains of this
2500-year-old city. (p174)
Penjikent
Wander the alley-
ways and climb the eroded
citadel at this once cosmopoli-
tan Sogdian city. (p331)
Merv
The 'Queen of the World'
boasts eight overlapping cities,
including the capital of the
Seljuq Turks. (p388)
Archaeological
Sites
Come equipped with a
history book and your
