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Bukhara Travel Blogs

Background: Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

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By Rich_and_Kel
October 21st 2009

Bukhara Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

And then on to Bukhara. MOst chilled out and cheap place so far ... Bukhara, again a key location on the Silk Road and in the Great Game. The town centres around the Labbi Hauz, the Hauz's where artificial ponds set up around the town to supply water to the residents. After everyone started dying of plague and various other diseases, they decided to drain them and a few have been now been renevated as place of interest for tourists. Labbi Hauz is surrounded by restaurants and tables where we sat and watched the world go by with a pot of [View Full Entry]

By frequent traveller
March 3rd 2009

JUST AMAZING - I have been to one of the oldest cities in the world!!! Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

look at that FAT

What a city.......mosques, mausoleum, islamic schools/madrasahs, minarets not to mention the awesome city wall. Simply amazing, the medieval malls are so captivating and you cannot help but notice the happy smiley faces of the Bukharians. One word of warning, they like their meat and very fatty at that! I was told that after one week you will be able to scape the lard and fat from the roof of your mouth with your finger!!! They were not joking!!! [View Full Entry]

By TomandLucy
September 29th 2008

On the Old Silk Road, Bukhara & Samarkand Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Hats for Sale

After an afternoon of waiting patiently for our passports at the Kazakh embassy we dashed across Tashkent and booked ourselves on the next train west, the night train to Bukhara. The bar was full of drunk russians, with the police keeping a tight watch on all passengers(particularly the man who fell asleep on the table!) Bukhara is the an old spiritual city, once very important on the Old Silk Road until the 16th Century. We spent our time wandering through the charming old town, with its winding roads and old bazaars and mosques. The Kalon Minaret and mosque was spectacular, although [View Full Entry]

By michaelpaddo
September 27th 2008

Silk Road Shenanigans: Fun & Games in Uzbekistan Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Ulugbek Medressa in the very early morning

“He follows us for long time now”, M whispered nervously, eyes flickering over the crowd around us. “Very bad man. You know CNG?” Not personally so far, thankfully, but I’d heard a bit about them. The Uzbek branch of the KGB, which had apparently survived more or less intact after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While they don’t inspire quite the same level of fear as back in their Soviet heyday, these are still not guys you want to exchange pleasantries with if you can avoid it. Keeping her head down, and barely looking at me at all, M outlined [View Full Entry]

Mir-i-Arab Medressa in the early morning

By kirstent
September 20th 2008

Holy Fish! Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Holy Fish

We had a free day in Samarkand - it was a bit of a lazy day for me . The next morning we headed out on our way to Bukhara. We had a Yurt stay planned and then a visit to Nurota and the Holy Fish! The Yurt stay was quite surreal. Most Yurts/Gers we have come across in the past were in the middle of nomad pastures … this one was smack bang in the Uzbek desert. After around 6hrs of driving on main roads we left the bitumen and headed along desert tracks. It was flat boring desert but [View Full Entry]

By maxicoley
September 7th 2008

Bukara - The Pillar of Islam Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Kolon Mosque and Minaret

I spend two days spent in Bukara visting Madrassas and Mosques. Sublime architecture with stunning tile work and madrassahs with wonderfully simple rooms. The Kolon Mosque is massive and gives a real sense of the power of Bukara as a seat of Islamic learning. In addition i'm quite impressed by the density of madrassas in Bukara as it clearly signifies the strenght and influence it must have had over islamic scholarship across the wider Muslim world. I met a delightful Uzbek family who took me out to Bakhautdin Naqshband Mausoleum who was the famous 14th century founder of an influenti [View Full Entry]

By dancing01star
September 4th 2008

Buchara city of the silk road Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Or as they say in Uzbek - Buyuk Ipak Yoli Am in Buchara, Uzbekistan, an oasis in the Kyzyl kum desert, a sbopping place for camel caravans carrying exotic wares, for thousands of years.... There are camel statues round the ornamental pool which is one of the centres of the old town, Lyabi Hauz. Lined with old willows and choikhanas under the trees where dogs, cats and ducks live pretty much in harmony (it was two cats I saw fighting)! There should be a fable in that somewhere.... There are turquoise blue mosaiced iwans (mosque entrance) opposite eachother across the pool, [View Full Entry]

By trabella
July 17th 2008

Medressas, Mosques, Minarets and Mausoleums Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

view of minaret at Miri-iarab Medressa

We thought we were going to be home free after reaching Bukhara as we were back in civilisation which meant being able to drink cold water. Well, things aren't that simple around here! As hard as it is to believe, it is also actually hotter here than it was at the yurt camp, I am guessing the thermostat has edged over 50 degrees...And the search for cold beer and water led us halfway around the town and it was only after stopping at 7 shops that we were able to find colder than room temperature drinks! Even as the sun goes [View Full Entry]

By BossManBing
July 9th 2008

Uzbekistan - Bukhara Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Bukhara Madrassa

On to Bukhara - another ancient and historic city - famous for it's huge prison. The weather really begins to heat up in Central Uzbekistan and my farmer's tan comes on quite nicely. (For some reason, city tours always happen in the heat of the day). Bukhara had the feel and charm of Khiva, but it was much bigger and more touristy. The city walls were huge and imposing and the central square, with it's large pond and surrounding shashlyk (kebab) restaurants, was stunning. One evening, I went to what was alledgedly a cultural evening at a restaurant in the courtyard [View Full Entry]

By 5vor12
October 30th 2007

Buchara- oder auch die Drosselgasse Asia » Uzbekistan » Bukhara

Hallo euch allen, haben mal wieder keine zeit und wenig motivation empfunden uns in die haeufig langsamen internetcafes zu schleppen und euch hier auf dem laufenden zu halten. daher faellt es jetzt schwer euch irgendetwas zu erzaehlen - man gelangt endlich endlich auf die seite wo man schreiben kann und schon macht sich ne leere im kopf breit - haben wir ueberhaupt etwas zu erzaehlen? ja, haben wir. Zu den Fakten: sind gestern von samarkand mit dem "schnellzug" (ca. 50 bis hoechstens 100km/h) nach buchara gefahren. der zug war luxus - fernsehen mit russischen Knastserien in voller, [View Full Entry]

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