[2025 Bukhara Attraction] Travel Guide for Chor-Minor (Updated Apr)

If Samarkand is the "heart" of Uzbekistan and Khiva is a desert fairytale, then Bukhara is a living page from *One Thousand and One Nights*. This ancient city on the Silk Road, with its earthen-yellow buildings, echoes under domes, and sun-drenched mulberry trees, showed me the true essence of Central Asia. Don't miss these experiences in Bukhara! 1️⃣ Lyabi-Hauz Complex: Step through the turquoise and blue patterned archways and feel like you've fallen into the Middle Ages. I recommend visiting after 4 PM, when the light slants across the glazed tiles, making each geometric pattern glow. 2️⃣ Statue of Nasreddin Hodja: The people of Bukhara insist that the witty Nasreddin was born here! By the pool in the old city stands a bronze statue of him riding his donkey, his mustache perked up. Locals passing by touch the donkey's head for good luck, and I secretly tried it too—after all, who couldn't use a bit of humorous good fortune? 3️⃣ Chor Minor Madrasah: Its Uzbek name, "Chor Minor," literally translates to "four towers." From afar, it looks like four stout pillars topped with blue hats, a blend of Indian and Central Asian styles. Even better, climb the narrow stairs to the second-floor platform for a bird's-eye view of the old city's rooftops. 4️⃣ Kalyan Mosque + Minaret: The 47-meter-high Kalyan Minaret was so impressive that even Genghis Khan couldn't bring himself to destroy it. Standing at the base and looking up, the layers of bricks form star-like patterns, inspiring awe and a touch of vertigo. The adjacent Kalyan Mosque is surprisingly vast, with 212 columns supporting a shaded expanse, perfect for quiet contemplation and listening to the wind swirl around the dome. 5️⃣ Ark of Bukhara: This citadel, built on ruins, was once the center of power for the Emirate of Bukhara. I recommend visiting before sunset! Walk along the walls to the west side, and watch the entire old city glow honey-colored in the twilight, the silhouettes of the minarets like needles stopping time. The ethnographic museum inside displays wedding dresses and musical instruments, but the most captivating thing is always the breeze that sweeps across the terrace. 6️⃣ Bolo Haouz Mosque: Tucked away on the edge of the old city, it's easy to miss, but the towering wooden pillars are worth seeing—craftsmen from 800 years ago carved spiral patterns from whole tree trunks. There's a small window in the side hall; when the midday sun shines through, dust dances in the beam, blurring the lines between past and present. 🏨 Stay in History: Mercure Bukhara Old City I stayed in a hotel in the heart of the old city, converted from a 19th-century caravanserai. The Persian-style pool in the central courtyard, carved wooden beams, and vintage chandeliers perfectly balance history and comfort. The rooftop breakfast was an even bigger surprise. While munching on naan and sipping salty milk tea, I could turn my head and see the spire of the Kalyan Minaret—this is the right way to experience Bukhara!

In the 7th century, as Islam began to spread and flourish in Bukhara, thousands of mosques, madrasas, and other places of worship were built, making it a famous center of Islamic scholarship at the time. Now, the three must-see mosques are the ones that have been preserved👍🏻 👣They are: Char Minar Mosque - Bolo Haouz Mosque - Magok-i-Attari Mosque 1️⃣ Char Minar Mosque: Also known as the Char Minar Mosque, "Char Minar" means "four minarets" in Uzbek, and the four minarets also represent the four dynasties. Bukhara has a history of over 2,500 years. In the 9th-10th centuries, it was the capital of the Samanid dynasty, occupied by Genghis Khan in 1220, conquered by the Turkic Timur, the founder of the Timurid Empire, in 1370, and finally became the capital of Uzbekistan in the mid-16th century. 2️⃣ Bolo Haouz Mosque: The mosque was built in the 18th century, and its name, when transliterated, means "mosque on the pond." The most special feature of this mosque is the wooden columns on the front porch, which are stalactite-shaped and have horse-hoof-like bases, reflecting the influence of Iranian style to some extent. 3️⃣ Magok-i-Attari Mosque: It is said to be one of the earliest mosques of the Middle Ages, as its history can be traced back to the 9th century. In the 9th century, this place was once a Zoroastrian temple, which was converted into a mosque after Islamization. The original mosque was destroyed in a fire in 937 AD and remained in ruins for a long time. After reconstruction, it was smaller in scale, and what you see now is the original from the 12th century. 🚗Transportation: These three attractions in the old city of Bukhara are all within walking distance, making them ideal for a city walk. 💰Tickets: The first two mosques do not require tickets, but the Magok-i-Attari Mosque is now a street museum, and a separate fee is required to visit.

The Four Minarets Mosque, located in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is a historic royal mosque. The mosque's facade is supported by 20 wooden columns, and its interior boasts numerous exquisite murals, making it a paradise for history enthusiasts. The name 'Four Minarets Mosque' in Uzbek means 'Four Minarets,' aptly describing the architectural style of the building. The domes of the four towers are uniquely Tiffany blue. Each of the four towers features different decorative patterns, which are said to reflect the four religions familiar to Central Asians. The unique Four Minarets Mosque is a favorite spot for tourists to visit and take photos. It's definitely worth a visit. Opening Hours: Open year-round from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The old town of Bukhara, which is also the scenic area, is much smaller than Samarkand. I was accompanied by a lady from Bangkok, of course, I was leading her, and she also benefited from my presence (free admission). Having company meant that I took more photos, including the cover of a Lonely Planet guidebook, as well as local landmarks, and the great minaret with a connection to Genghis Khan! The weather was very hot and sunny, but fortunately, it was a dry heat with some wind, not like being in a sauna.

After lounging in the old town of Bukhara for a few days, I decided to visit the surrounding attractions. There are quite a few sights outside of Bukhara city, and after screening, I found these to be the most quintessential and worthwhile. 👉 Although there are minibuses to each attraction, they are not in the same direction, so hiring an online car is the most convenient. 🏞Route: Chor Minor Medressa~Amir's summer palace~Nakshbandi Bukhari Mausoleum 1⃣Chor Minor Medressa This madrasah, which graced the cover of 'Lonely Planet', has now been turned into shops, but its unique architectural facade still attracts many tourists. The highlights are the four small towers and bird nests on top of the madrasah. 🚖About two kilometers outside the old town, it is walkable or you can hire an online car. 2⃣Amir's summer palace This was the summer palace of the last Emir, Alim Khan, and has now been turned into a museum. The palace displays royal furnishings and Alim Khan's personal belongings. The highlight is the star and moon garden outside the palace, which is particularly beautiful, and they even have peacocks. The ticket price is 40,000 som, and I can confirm that it's possible to bargain. 🚖It's over 10 kilometers from the old town, and the online car fare is less than 10 RMB. 3⃣Nakshbandi Bukhari Mausoleum It is said that the Sufi saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi and the Bukhara khans and nobles are buried here. In the hearts of the locals, this place is second only to Mecca. The star and moon corridor and the Khoz pool inside the mausoleum are very beautiful, and next to the mosque, there is a place to receive holy water. The ticket price is 10,000 som, about 6 RMB. 🚖It's over 20 kilometers from the old town, and the online car fare is 25,000 som, about 15 RMB.