"Khiva - an open air museum" Top 5 Page for this destination Khiva by carolerica

Khiva Travel Guide: 160 reviews and 499 photos

the walls of Itchan Kala (the old city) - Khiva

A CITY WITHIN A CITY

Khiva is two-faced: there is Dishon Kala, the "new" city that has developped around the "old city" and which is the real heart-beat of the town, where people live, work, eat, sleep...
And then there is Itchan Kala, the "old" city, in the heart of Khiva, protected by it's centuries old walls...
Itchan Kala has a wonderful present to offer to every traveler: the most stuning architectural ensemble of the islamic world. It seems that time has stopped for ever within the walls of Old Khiva.
You will need a couple of days to discover the old city of Khiva, to explore it's tiny streets, to loose yourself hundreds of times and "find" yourself gazing at an other splendor.

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SENT BACK TO MEDIEVAL TIMES

traditional cradels for sale in the caravanserail

One of the magic of Khiva is that you may easily catch a glimpse of what a medieval oasis must have looked liked. Close your eyes to the inevitable tourist shops, to the inevitable tourists in shorts and camera, and look around you: Can you see the big caravanserail? it's still a hige bazar where goods are exchanged from one hand to an other. Listen! Do you hear the muezzin calling to prayer without using a megaphone...

FURTHER BACK INTO PRECHRISTIAN TIME

Kyzyl Kala, in the desert nearby Khiva

Once upon a time, when the Amou Daria had not changed again it's bed, when the Aral Sea was still a imposing sea, the land around Khiva were fens inhabited by tigers, fields were producing all sorts of greens and fruits, and wine was already an art. This territory was the home of the Massagets, great Scyths nomades.
To show their power, they erected citadels, made of clay and raw bricks.
The centuries have gone by, the Amou Daria has left the area turning the land into desert. The summer sand storms and the winter snow has slowly washed away the great citadels, but their walls are still standing, immense...

Last visit to Khiva: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Jul 25, 2004
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Reviews (14)

the dome of the mausoleum and Juma's minaret - Khiva

Pakhlavan Mahmoud mausoleum Things to Do (7)

A local furrier who was also a persian poet and considered as "the Hercules of the Orient": this is Pakhlavan Mahmoud,... more travel advice

Nouroullah Bai's palace Off The Beaten Path (3)

You will have to go outside the old city, pass the western gate to find this interesting palace. It has not yet been... more travel advice

Tach Khaouli, the palace of Allakouli... Things to Do (7)

It took height years to buil this "palace of stone", a huge palace made of three main building (harem, the reception... more travel advice

The Juma Mosq... and its forest of... Things to Do (7)

The Juma Mosq is a "friday" mosq, meaning that it was built with the intention of having the entire male population come... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
See All A wonderful medersa turned into a...

Shopping (1)
Gorgeous traditionnaly hand made silk...

Comments (7)

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ellielou Oct 31, 2006 at 7:28 AM

again, thanks for these great pages! if I DO make it to UZ next year---which I'm hoping, I'm hoping--I'm sure to add a bunch of your tips to my DiY guide!
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BluBluBlu Aug 23, 2005 at 7:38 AM

This place looks fascinating...great tips & photo's! Happy travels, Blu
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TheWanderingCamel Aug 14, 2005 at 9:33 AM

More nice stuff here -Khiva is fascinating -and staying there at least overnight a must so your hotel tips are a big help. leyle
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lotharlerch Feb 15, 2005 at 7:31 AM

I like your page! Was there in winter, quite different indeed. But your page brings nevertheless lots of nice memories back.
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chrisvandenbroucke Dec 1, 2004 at 12:16 AM

Love your Uzbek pages and pictures. Brings back lots of nice memories
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diageva Aug 30, 2004 at 10:05 AM

thanks for all this information :) you have made a great hotel selection, and Khiva looks great
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aussiedoug Jul 25, 2004 at 6:55 AM

Fascinating information in your intro & vey helpful tips. Please drop me an email when you add any molre tips. A Bientot!