The Cities of the Great Silk Road 

Great Silk Road

In the course of the 6-14th centuries, there were thousands of large and small routes that crossed the Asian Continent and lead to the West. Caravans stuffed with exotic cloths, eastern goods and spices followed these routes. Hence, the various centres of national crafts, art schools, madrassahs, palaces, mausoleums were also created. Traders, missionares and pilgrims travelled together on thouse routes bringing new religions, customs, goods such as glass, porcelain, soap, gunpowder, and most important ... Different culture. They were the ones who collected medicinal herbs, created the methods of curing diseases and investigated stars. In many ways for more than thousand year, the Great Silk Road linked many countries by peacefull activities such as trade, culture and spiritual exchange that is unique to the whole mankind. The Great Silk Road routes started from a town called Lanchjou and stretched to the cities of Tor and Sodom, both Mediterranean ports which acted as a junction between East and West. This old East-West trading trail transplanted culture,  customs and religions from one center to the next, and vice-versa.

Uzbekistan is the heart of the SilkRoad.

A special long-term program which includes a proposal on reviving the historical heritage was put together with UNESCO. The Samarkand Declaration "On revival of tourism on the Grea Silk Road" was adopted in Samarkand in 1994. Once again, the 
Great Silk Road will revive for tourists and the magnificent architectural monuments,unique works of caligraphy, Chinese silks, Bukhara rugs and pottery produced by ancient craftsmen will stand to be appreciated ba all.

The main tourist route crosses 32 towns and cities of Central Asia. In other words, once the legendary Great Silk Road reopens, crowds of tourists will also be visiting Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and the cities of Fergana Valley. 
The Great Silk Road is one of the last oportunities to step into the world lost at thouse times. Travelling into the past and this spectacular passage is waiting for you to explore!

THE CITY'S HISTORY IS ROOTED IN HOARY ANTIQUITY, DATING BACK 2,000 YEARS. THE 
RUINS ON THE MINGURYUK HILL AND THE SURVIVED FEUDAL CASTLES WITH MOATS, DOUBLE 
FORTIFIED WALLS AND FORMIDABLE TOWERS WITNESS ITS GREAT AGE, THE UZBEK WORD 
"TOSHKENT" MEANS A "STONE SETTLEMENT'. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CITY AROSE ON THE 
SITE OF A VILLAGE WITH THE SAME NAME THAT LAYED AT THE CROSSING OF THE MOUNTAIN ROUTES, AND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN EAST - WESTERN TRADE.

Tashkent
A Lifetime Of Memories And A Treasure
Of Friendships

Over the twenty centuries of its existence, Tashkent witnessed quite a lot of  major and minor events, and lived through the bloodshed wars and devastating  invasions. Yet it always remained to be the hub for international trade, the  center of a vast crop-growing oasis, the city of arts and crafts.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Tashkent also served as a mighty fortress warding off the attacks of nomadic tribes.

The Kukeldash Madrassah, which also dates back to the 16th century, is a  monumental structure with a tall gala portal and two robust minaret towers.

Over 9 years of independence of Uzbekistan, the capital has changed beyond  recognition. Today, it is a truly a marvellous city with abundance of verdure and  water. Numerous fountains adorn the city's squares, streets and parks. A major  attractive place is the central part, where buildings, while paying tribute to  national traditions, look perfectly up to date. 

Chimgan

There is one of the popular mountain skiing resorts, Chimgan, in only 80 km drive  from Tashkent, in Western Tyan-Shan mountains. Pure and fresh air, picturesque  landscape, funiculars make Chimgan the best place for a good rest and sporting  tourism. A modern hotel complex provides all kinds of services for tourists to  make you spend an unforgettable time there. Mountain skiing and heli-skiing attracts fans of active sports from December till April. 

CULTURE

While visiting Tashkent, please try to visit its famous theatres (e.g. Alisher  Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre). There are also some museums and exhibitions  among the other attractions, which are worth seeing.

The Applied Arts Museum and the Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan introduce the  visitors with old and contemporary samples of national art. The Uzbek capital is  constantly getting younger and nicer. Its broad avenues and alleys, modern  buildings of original design and well-appointed thorough fares make a harmonious  view with the nice Metro stations.

 While visiting the bazaars, stores, souvenir shops, museums or hospitable private  houses you will have a chance to familiarize yourself with the traditional folk  crafts noted for their superior artistry.

SAMARKAND IS ONE OF THE MOST ANCIENT CITIES
OF THE WORLD WITH A 2750-YEAR HISTORY, AND IS OF
THE SAME AGE AS ROME, ATHENS AND BABYLON. FROM TIMES IMMEMORIAL, THIS CITY ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF STATESMEN. MERCHANTS AND
TRAVELLERS. ITS MOST PROSPEROUS TIME WAS UNDER THE RULE OF THE GREAT TEMUR. BORN IN SHAHRISABZ, THE SAHIBKIRAN MADE SAMARKAND THE CAPITAL OF HIS GREAT EMPIRE. SAMARKAND'S GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION WAS VERY CONVENIENT - AT CROSSROADS ON THE GREAT SILK ROAD.

Samarkand
Famous For Ornate Architectures And Monuments That Offer A Poverful Experience Of  Bygone Grandeur

Examples of grandiose middle-aged architecture have been well preserved up to  date.

The ensemble of mausoleums, known as Shahi-Zinda located near the settlement of  Afrosiab, is a fine example of Central Asian architecture. Its construction began  in the 12th century, and was completed in 14-15th centuries under the rule of  Temur. The burial vaults for the women of Amir Temur's family are the main 
buildings of the ensemble. All the buildings are beautifully decorated with  mosaic, terracotta and majolica.

 Registan is an ensemble of majestic majolica, azure mosaics and vast, well  proportioned spaces. Guri Amir mausoleum (15th century). Temur, his two sons and two grandsons  (including Ulugbek) lie here beneath the mausoleum. Above the crypts there is  plain marble marker to the left of Temur's is that of Mirsaid Baraka - one of  Temur's spiritual mentors. In frontal part, there is a grave of Muhammad Sultan,  Temur's grandson through his son Jakhonghir, The stones behind Temur's mark there  are graves of his sons Shah Rukh and Miran Shah. Behind those you can find the  grave of Sheikh Umar, the most reverred Temur's teachers. The Guri Amir had been  an inspiration for Taj Mahal in Agra.

Ulugbek, Temur's grandson, remained in the history as a "crowned scientist", the  protector of science and enlightenment.

In 1420, when Ulugbek was ruling, there was built an observatory which is the one  and only in the world. Formed "Zijji-Kuragoni" star tables preserved their  scientific meaning up to date. The basement and a part of the astronomic  instrument arc the only remainders of the observatory.

Under the auspice of UNESCO the 1225th anniversary of the outstanding scientist  and theologists of the Orient Imam-Al-Bukhari was widely celebrated in 1997. The  memorial complex in Khortang near Samarkand, where the great scientist was  buried, has been reconstructed for his jubilee. 

 Samarkand opens its heart to the guests with its unique historical and architectural monuments, incomparable samples of handicrafts, customs and holidays as well as the secrets of Eastern cuisine. 

"BUKHORO- I-SHARIF" - "NOBLE", "HOLY" - IS SOME OF THE NUMEROUS EPITHETS THAT WERE 
BESTOWED ON OUR ANCIENT CITY. THE GREAT EASTERN POETS OF THE 9-10TH C.C. RUDAKI, 
DAKIKI AND FERDAUSI DEVOTED THEIR KASIDS TO IT. "THE HISTORY OF BUKHARA" HAD BEEN 
ALREADY WRITTEN IN THE 10TH CENTURY. THE FIRST PERIOD OF BUKHARA'S LIFE FOUND ITS 
REFLECTION IN FOLK EPOS, AND IN NUMBER OF LEGENDS.

Bukhara
Enchanting "OldCity" Charm That
Is Simply Mystical

The Great Silk Road linking China with Iran, India with Europe also went through Bukhara. Bukhara is one of the ancient cities of Central Asia, contributed much in the development of human civilization. It is one of the cities, which was grown and has constantly been developing on the same place beginning with the 5th century B.C. In 1993 the historical part of Bukhara was included into the UNESCO List of Cities of world's human legacy.

In 1997 under UNESCO program there was celebrated the 2500th anniversary of Bukhara. The preserved architectural legacy of Bukhara is a rare combination of monuments of different times, emphasizing the development of people's architecture for as long as 25 centuries. Bukhara, with its millenium long history, is today's legacy of the mankind.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Most of the Bukhara's central part is an architectural preserve, fail of former medressas. Ark - Royal Fortress (10th -19th centuries) is a museum. Opposite to Ark's gate, there is Bolo-Hauz Mosque beside the pool - the Emir's official place of worship, built in 1718, and probably was very beautiful at that time. Going up the narrow street, beside the Ark, one can sec a small square with the Poi-Kalon Complex, including the Kalon Mosque (16th century), which is big enough allowing 10,000 people to visit at a time, the Miri-Arab Madrassah - a working seminary dated back from 16th century and the Kalon Minaret, which is 47 metres high and 10 metres in depth. It is 850 years old and has never needed any cosmetic repairs. Labi-Hauz, a plaza was built around the pool back in 1620 and is the most peaceful and interesting spot in town-shaded by mulberry trees as old as the pool. It is crowded with the street merchants, old men crowded over the chessboards or gossiping tea. To the eastern side you can find Nadir Divanbegi Madrassah that was buill as a caravanserai, but Khan looked at it as a madrassah and in immediately reformed it as one in 1630. On the western side of the square he built the Nadir Divanbegi Khanako.

Right across the street on the northern side, there is a Kukcldash Madrassah, which was built by Abdullah II, and it was the biggest Islamic school in Central Asia at that time. The trade domes of 15-16th centuries witness the presence of Bukhara at the caravan criss-cross: Toki-Sarrafon (the dome of exchangers). 
Toki-Telpak-Furushon (the dome of hat traders), Toki-Zargaron (the dome of jewelers), Tim Abdullahan.

On the way to Samarkand, in the suburbs of Bukhara, three km north from the center, you can find Sitorai-Mokhi-Hosa, which means 'Palace of Moon-like Slars {or Moon & Stars), the summer Palace of the last Emir Alim Khan (now a museum).

The Ensemble of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is located in 12 km from Bukhara. This complex has been considered as the major holy place of Bukhara. Bakhauddin, in turn, has been considered as the most national Theologist of Bukhara.
...Palaces and mosques, mausoleums and minarets - the stone chronicle of Bukhara is surprisingly unique and the touch to its pages is unforgettable.

WHILE VISITING KHOREZM EVERYBODY IS FASCINATED BY THE BEAUTY OF KHIVA, THE CITY 
MUSEUM. THERE IS A LEGEND THAT IT WAS FOUNDED WHEN SHEM, SON OF NOAH, DISCOVERED WEALTH AT THIS PLACE. HIS PEOPLE CALLED IT HEIVAK, FROM WHICH THE NAME OF KHIVA  IS SAID TO BE DERIVED.

Khiva
Stepping Back In Time To A Unique Era

Khiva, one of the cradles of the world civilization, is also enlisted as a  heritage of the human value. Once one of the important centres on the Great Silk  Road, this city celebrated its 2500th anniversary in 1997. The anniversary was  widely celebrated throughout the world. Khiva is always said to be the pearl of  Khorezm oasis. It was fairly called this way due to accumulation of huge  spiritual and cultural values. In the 9-12th centuries there were functioning  major scientific centres of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, chemistry...The  "House of wisdom" - the real academy of sciences, that was created by the Baghdad  ruler Al-Mamun, was managed by the Khorezmi scientist Muhamm ad-Al -Khorezm iy. His fundamental works in mathematics, geography, geodesy had already been famous  in Europe, and has not lost its importance and significance up to date. A huge  scientific heritage was left by Al-Beruni, Agahi, Najmiddin Kubro and other  scientists and divines.

The architectural monuments of the city of Khiva, which has fairly obtained the  title of "city-museum", are also considered as a unique value of the world's  legacy.  The appearance of modern Khiva is mainly formed by the architecture of the Khiva  Khanate, the end of 18 century the beginning of 20 century. The archcological  excavations show that in the basement of the relatively "young" building ruins  there were layers related to the 3d centuries B.C and earlier.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

ICHAN - KALA - According to the medieval architectural traditions, Khiva is  divided into inner part Ichan-Qala, where it has about 60 historical monuments,  and outer part Dishan - Qala, where the people of Khiva live and work. The  Ichan-Qala nowadays is "an open air museum.'" Today's Khiva has been restored in  the manner it was centuries ago. High and 2.5 km long mud walls surround the  inner town with four gates pointing to four sides of the Universe.

KUHNA ARK - the Khiva rulers1 fortress and residence, first built in the 12th  century by Aq Shibobo, then was expanded by the Khans in the 17th century. The  Khan's harem, mint, stables, arsenal, barracks, mosque and jail were all at this  place.

MUHAMMAD AMIN KHAN MADRASSAH & KALTA MINOR- the first building to the right  inside the Western Gate was built in 1851-1852. It is the biggest madrassah in  Khiva, having two stores of cells around the broad courtyard The facade of the  building is decorated with brick mosaics. The entrance doors are presented with  wood carving, and the windows have latticed decoration. Outside there is a wide,  turquoise-titled Kalta-Minor Minaret that was built in 1853-1855. If they had had  finished the construction it would have been a minaret higher than Kalon Minaret  in Bukhara.

Termez

Kingdom of trade routes and brave warriors. The land whose wealth of gold and lazurite have astonished the world. Satraps of Baktria participating in ancient wars in the period of Mibia 8th c. B.C., as well as of Greece and Iran 6th c. B.C., participating in Darius and Kyarks military campaigns to Athens and Egypt in the 5th c. B.C. were obtaining high position in the persian army of Achamenids. Archeological findinfs prove that the age of the farming civilization here dates from the earlier period.
The early forms of culture revealed itself since ancient stone age epoch.

In the 4th c. B.C. Alexander the Great having defeated Darius ||| army incluided the Achamenids state and then Baktria to his Empire.

329-328 B.C. In Zariasp the capital of Baktria-the eparchy, embassadors of European skiffs, envoys of Horazm Tzar Farasman moved a proposal to Alexander of Macedonia on conclussion of alliance and frendship.

For more then 180 years Baktria was under the reign of Greeks and Macedonians. Baktria`s culture was absorbetd by elements of the Hellinism. Alexander of Macedonia tried to pursue policy of merging the Greek religion and the religion of local Gods.

312 B.C.-64 A.D. Period of the Selikvids` Pover with the collaps of Selikvids` state a new state- the Greek and Baktrian Kingdom sprang right on place of the Baktrian satrapy. Side by side with local religion Helenic Gods were worshiped. The Buddha study and Indian dicties that were sang of in hymns of a rigveda.
In the 3rd c.B.C. at the crossroads of India and China, new city of Termez sprang. Just here there was the Nephrite Route in the ancient time. 

In the 2nd-1st c.c. B.C. Dakhya or later Tokharistan, one of the 3states in Central Asia, was founded at the ancient territory of Baktria.

1st-4th c.c. is the period of the Kushansa. At this time Buddhism was widely spread in the Eastern Turkestan and the Central Asia, in Termez particular. 
There are large Buddhist complexes at Kara-tepa, Fayaz-tepa.
At the beginning of the 4th c. the Hephtals replaced the Kushans.

4th-5th c.c. is the Sasanids epoch.

6th-7th c.c. Turk Kogonate reign.

In the 8th c. Baktria, along with Termez, made a part of the Arab Caliphate.

9th-10th c.c. period of the Samanids reign.

11th-12th c.c. in the epoche of the Karakhanids and the Seljukids, feudal relations in Central Asia Advanced in development.

8th c.the Mongol (Jenghiz-Khan) invasion.

14th-15th c.c. The Temurids reign. Termez was considered as one of the main cities situated on the Great Silk Route. 
In the 19th c. Termez became the main frontier city on the Russian southern border. Termez, the city with a centry -old history, now is one of the main economical centres of Uzbekistan.

IT'S A GREEN VALLEY AND ONE OF THE CENTRAL ASIA'S BIGGEST OASES ON THE TERJUTORY  OF 22 000 SQ. KM., WITH POPULATION OF 7 MLN PEOPLE. SURROUNDED BY TIEN SHAN  MOUNTAIN RANGE AND DRAINED BY UPPER SYR-DARYA AND NARYN, THE CLIMATE AND FERTILE  SOIL ARE IDEAL FOR CULTIVATION.

Ferghana Valley
A Valley Of Enchantment With Beautiful Mountainous Countryside Views

Ferghana Valley is well known for its gorgeous and ancient cities as Andijon,  Ferghana, Quqon, Marghilon, Shohimardon and other cities that complement the  beauty and significance of the Valley.

Surrounded by high mountains and hills, Andijon is situated in the south-east of  Farghona valley. Andijon and Olamyshik hill are rich of oil, gas, spring waters  and other natural resources.

Andijan is one of the ancient cities of Uzbekistan with the history dating back to 9th century A.D.. It is one of the industrial centers of Uzbekistan. Since obtaining the independence of a Uzbekistan (1991) the Uzbek-Korean Joint Venture "UzDaewoo" automobile assembling plant was constructed in Assaka.

 Andijon is situated on the caravan route linking China with Central Asia. In  ancient times the Great Silk Route passed via this town, which was known as the  eastern gate to Ferghana Valley. All along the Route on the banks of Kara-Darya  river, there were caravanserais with blacksmiths ready to render their services  to merchants. New settlements and towns started springing up here; thus new handicrafts started developing.

Quqon had been the capital of Quqon Khanate in 18th and
19th centuries and also traditionally the religious center of the Valley, having  35 madrassahs, and hundreds of mosques.

Marghilon was a carpet making centre in ancient times, defined by its  architectural traditions. Caravans with silk went from Marghilon to Arabia. Today  silk mills produce 20 mln meters of silk. It is located near Shohimardon. one of the favourite mountainous places in Uzbekistan. Kuva is a memorial site of the scientist Al-Ferghaniy, who lived and was famous  in Europe under the name Alfraghanus. 

 Namanghan region is located in the northern part of the Ferghana Valley, on the  right bank of Syr-Darya river. The plain merges in the north with the foothills  of northern Chatkal and the Quramin ranges in 25 km drive from Namanghan, in the north of Ferghana Valley, there is an  archaeological site of an ancient settlement Akhsikent. This settlement was  destroyed by the earthquake in the 17th century, and had never been rebuilt. The 
tourist route goes through the picturesque places: on the upper side, there is a  highland stream Podshoh-Ota, Kapchiug canyon, mountain lakes, Alpine meadows at  an altitude of 1925 metres above the sea level, and Sary-Chelck nature preserve. 

Ferghana Valley today, like some other regions of Uzbekistan, has a developed  agriculture, especially in cotton industry. A lot of fruits and vegetables are  grown here. Ferghana is the main supplier of silk cocoons and is the second after  Marghilon on raw silk production. Ferghana is also known as "The Pearl of  Uzbekistan".