10 Must See Places in Bukhara: Day Tour Itinerary with Global Connect
Bukhara is full of ancient treasures and one great thing about Old Bukhara is that you can walk to majority of the sites.
We again met up with our tour guide Munisa from Global Connect and started our day tour of Bukhara. I want to share with you 10 must see places in the Old Bukhara Town.
1.Nadir- Divan Begi Medreseh
Be fascinated by the external decorations and numerous arches. Once you step inside, there is a big courtryard where a nightly performance of Traditional Dance and Song Show is taking place. Also, the inner courtyard is home to numerous shops, selling local crafts and souvenirs. At some stalls it is also possible to see local craftsmen at work.
Directly in front of the Medreseh there is Lyabi Hovuz ,a beautiful pond surrounded by trees and offering a nice seating area. There is a restaurant as well, but I would only recommend drinks, as I heard that food is not very nice.
2. Trading Domes
Trading domes still perform their function as a market place , like they did hundreds years ago. There is a lot to see: wood carvings, carpets, materials, and embroidery. I am sure you will be able to find something that will please you. Munisa told us that the way trading domes were built ensured that the inside space was cool in the summer and warm in the winter .
3. Kalon Minaret.
The legend has it that Genghis Khan was so impressed by the minaret’s beauty, he did not destroy it. It is one of the oldest buildings in Bukhara with magnificent brickwork. The minaret is wonderfully lit up in the evening, so make sure you see it during the day and have a stroll there in the evening.
4. Mir-i-Arab Medreseh
On the same square, where Kalon Minaret is located, you will see two medreseh which are facing each other. Mir-i-Arab Medreseh is still a working religious school, which is considered to be very prestigious. You can only go so far and glimpse at the current scholars through the mesh.
5. Kalon Mosque
My favourite building in Bukhara, apart from Kalon Minaret , is located opposite the working Medreseh. It is considered to be one of the largest working mosques to date. There is a tree growing in the middle of the courtyard. I could have sat here for hours appreciating the peace and how quiet it was, you could hear all the birds and feel the gentle breeze in the air.
6. Bukhara Plov
I tried plov in every city I visited in Uzbekistan, and Bukhara version was definitely a highlight for me. We tried it in Zargaron Plov Restaurant , and it was a wonderful combination of rice and meat. It was not overly heavy with oil and quite fruity, due to more raisins being used than you would find in other versions of plov.
7.Samanidov Mausoleum
This is another example of the oldest architectural treasure in Bukhara. The beauty of the mausoleum is all outside: intricate brickwork, which serves as a single decoration. It is located in a city park, and walking to the mausoleum is easy and pleasant.
8. Magoki Ator Mosque: Carpet Museum
The mosque makes for an interesting place both inside and out. You can see how low the mosque sits compared to the rest of the street.
If you decide to visit the carpet museum inside, you will be able to see the cultural layers from different centuries. The carpet collection is quite small, so I suggest to pay the admission if you are a carpet enthusiast.
9.Puppet Workshop
This little place will be a kids pleaser, as you can see how puppets are made and even have a go at directing one of them. There is alos an opportunity to buy small puppets or have one done to order.
10. The Ark
This is an ancient fortress, which have been used up until 20th century by Emirs of Bukhara. Inside you will find small museum with objects from the past and telling you the story of the fortress and how different areas were used. The shape of the fortress is quite unusual and it is a great place to while away an afternoon.
Amazing post!