Uzbekistan: Silk Road Oases
The unique Chor Minar, Bukhara
Personal View
Roy Davies, Founder of World Discovery
“The old city of Bukhara is for me the highlight of a visit to Uzbekistan. Strolling through the narrow lanes seeing the local families and their smiling children playing in the soft light of the late afternoon, and then emerging into the glorious expanse of Kalyon Square with its awesome monumental architecture...it's like stepping back into the middle ages.”
Positioned strategically on the ancient Silk Road between Europe and Asia, Uzbekistan's major cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand have been prized and fought over throughout history.
Alexander the Great conquered the area that was then known as Transoxiana in the 4th century BC and famously married Roxane, daughter of a local Sogdian chieftain. The Arabs came in the 8th century to establish dominion over the region, followed by the Persians and later by Genghis Khan's Mongolian armies, all recognising the importance of the great caravan cities.
It was during the reign of the great Tamerlane (14th century) that Uzbekistan enjoyed its golden age, dominated by his opulent capital Samarkand, regarded by many at the time as the "Centre of the Universe". The magnificent monuments that remain today bear witness to this glorious era.
Sample Tours
Journey to Samarkand - Travel the 'Golden Road' to the historic capital of Tamerlane [more]
The Aral Sea and the Silk Road Oases - A more adventurous trip as you travel off the beaten track to the Aral Sea [more]
Best of Uzbekistan - The classic Silk Road highlights including the fertile Fergana Valley [more]
Sogdiana and Bactria - Follow in Alexander's footsteps through modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan [more]