COUNTRY GUIDE

8 - 10 unesco listed - bukhara 3n

• Follow the Royal Road (High Speed Train) to the living museum of Bukhara. It is an hour and a half on the train and a 12 km taxi trip at the end. It was a major staging point along the Silk Road. Buy your onward ticket to Khiva as soon as you arrive or get it online even earlier. You will need your passport if you get it at the station. OR have a look in Samarkand Tours and you will find a couple of 2 day treks / tours that will take you from Samarkand to Bukhara staying in a yurt overnight. There is a third one with yurts at Aydarkul Lake where you also may be able to transit from Samarkand to Bukhara. There is also a transfer in the Bukhara Tours.

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• Enjoy the old teahouses, bathhouses, street food, rooftop terraces, Bozori Kord a still operating medieval hammam (plus Hammam Kunjak a women's only bath house - reviews have tapered off recently) and Lyabi-Hauz a 400 year old trading square with cafes, shops and fountains. Bukhara is considered the best preserved medieval city in Central Asia and is like a living museum. 

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• There are interesting stories about the some of the characters who have spent time here over the years. There was the ancient philosopher Nasruddin Hodja who was known the length of the Silk Road for his wisdom and wit. You can take a selfie with his statue. He is credited with over 600 amusing tales of his own brand of wisdom. Two other characters who were from England were left to rot in a bug infested pit for years before being executed. All because of a cultural misunderstanding. You can visit their place of torment. Another attraction is the "Tower of Death" the 47 meter high Kalon Minaret that prisoners were thrown off of the top onto the public square below. Genghis Khan was the one who started the practice.

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• There are a lot of good value hotels inside the walls in the old town. Everything here is in walking distance and the idea is to just wander about and soak it all in. Go for a walk and get lost and found. Or use a bicycle for the more distant attractions. You also want to be reasonably close to Lyabi-Hauz Square and the lake in the centre. All of these hotels fit that category.

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• Stay at or near the Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel - the star of the show is the building, 19th century dining room, unique furnishings, you'll feel like you're in 1001 Arabian Nights, restaurant, bar, superb breakfast included, very popular and it would pay to book this one

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• Hotel SHOHRUD - 10 out of 10 on Booking.com, only 7 rooms, restaurant, bar (Happy Hour), terrace, Italian or Asian Buffet Breakfast included, spa and wellness centre

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• Lyabi House Hotel - 19th century building with antique furnishings, bathtubs, restaurant, terrace, bar, very good breakfast included

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• Sultan Hotel Bukhara - all rooms have a balcony with garden view, straight across the road from the lake, restaurant, bar, exceptional breakfast included

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• OHUN Caravan Sarai XIX - stay in an actual 17th - 18th century caravanserai, bar, bike rental, full English / Irish Breakfast supplied, great courtyard

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sun

• Set your alarm and go for a walk around the old town in the early morning light. It is a good time to take photos because the light is good and the tourists aren't there. It's also a good time to pick up some fresh warm bread and clotted cream for breakfast. Take some water with you.

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• At the other end of the day go up on the walls of the Ark around the citadel for some golden photos.

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• Chasmai Mirob is a small rooftop restaurant that overlooks the Pol-i-Kaylan. The views are stunning and it's the perfect place for a sundowner.

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• Minzifa rooftop restaurant - is another prime spot for sundowners and a meal but you may need to book

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• Climb the Kalon Minaret for sunset.

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• Bolo Hauz Mosque opposite the Ark entrance gate is a good place for photos at dawn and dusk with the reflective pool

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