20 Silk Road Experiences

With epic scenery and a history to match, Central Asia’s vast ancient trading trail has re-captured travellers interest – as its placement on our Reader Travel Awards prove. Here are the best ways to take in its treasures.

1 LOSE YOURSELF IN BUKHARA’S OLD TOWN

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

The historic city of Bukhara boasts Central Asia’s most intact and interesting old town, and it’s a great place to randomly explore. The dense network of back streets hides a scattering of madrassas (religious schools), Sufi shrines, traditional courtyard-style guesthouses and even a synagogue (home to Bukhara’s once thriving Jewish community). After a day of sightseeing, relax over a pot of tea at the poolside Lyab-i-Hauz architectural ensemble or book a soak and a scrub at the 14th-century Bozori-Kord bathhouse

NEED TO KNOW: Bukhara is worth a couple of days, to visit the ark (fort) of the former emir, the graceful 10th-century Samani Mausoleum and the 46m-high Kalon minaret that impressed even Genghis Khan.

ALSO TRY: Kashgar, Xinjiang – Kashgar’s old town has faced modernisation drives in recent years, but what remains is still fascinating.

2 OVERNIGHT IN A CONVERTED MADRASSAH

Khiva, Uzbekistan

The medieval walled town of Khiva is one of the best preserved on the Silk Road. In a full day you can explore the khan’s former palace, the jail and the former slave market, before watching the sun set over the desert from the top of the Islam Khoja minaret and retiring to Central Asia’s most atmospheric accommodation. The Hotel Orient Star is housed in the 19th-century Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah (religious school), with rooms converted from the original student cells.

NEED TO KNOW: To get to Khiva, take an overnight train or flight to nearby Urgench, or take a shared taxi from Bukhara across the Karakum desert.