Khiva Tourism Report: A Time Capsule in the Desert

Khiva, located in the west of Uzbekistan, is a small city also known as the "jewel in the desert." Once a trading post on the Silk Road, the city offers a landscape that makes you feel as if you have traveled back in time. With many historical buildings remaining, the entire city is like a museum. During my visit, I felt like I was walking through a foreign story. The center of Khiva tourism is Itchan Kala, surrounded by city walls. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries, this old town is densely packed with more than 200 buildings and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. As you pass through the gate of the city walls, the first thing that catches your eye is the unfinished minaret called **Kalta Minor**. The cylindrical structure covered with vivid blue and green tiles leaves an unforgettable impression once you see it. Although it did not reach the planned height of 70 meters, its presence is overwhelming. During my walk around Ichan Kala, I was particularly impressed by **Kuhna Ark**. This fortress was where the successive rulers of Khiva lived, and it is a combination of a palace, a prison, and a mosque. Climbing to the top of the fortress, I could see the city walls and the whole city, and it felt like I was lost in a movie set. The sunset from here was spectacular, and the contrast between the red desert and the blue tiles as the sun went down was etched in my mind. Also, **Juma Mosque** is a must-see in Khiva. Built in the 10th century, this mosque has a unique design with 213 wooden pillars lined up, and it gives you a mysterious feeling as if you are in a forest. Many of the pillars are carved, and each one has a different pattern. The sight of the light shining through the pillars was very mystical. For lunch, I enjoyed local dishes such as plov (pilaf) and shashlik (grilled skewers). At a family-run restaurant in a small alley, I was able to feel warm hospitality along with gentle-tasting food. In addition, at the market selling hand-woven carpets and pottery unique to Khiva, I was able to enjoy bargaining with local people while looking at traditional crafts. At night, the buildings of Ichan Kala are lit up, showing a different look from the daytime. Kalta Minar and Juma Mosque stand out in the darkness, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The number of tourists also decreased, and I was able to slowly enjoy the atmosphere of this historic city in silence. Khiva is by no means a big city, but its small town is packed with history, culture, and architectural beauty. It is a place that is aptly described as a "time capsule in the desert," and it was the perfect place to experience the history and stories of the Silk Road. History is alive wherever you walk, and the warmth of the people further accentuates its charm. I strongly felt that Khiva is a special place that everyone who seeks the romance of the Silk Road should visit. #AsiaTravelRecord