Travel guide

Khiva

Silk Road desert city of mud-brick walls

🗓️ Best time: April–May, September–October💰 Budget · ~$40/day📍 Uzbekistan

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About Khiva

A 1,000-year-old walled UNESCO city in the Kyzylkum desert — the inner town (Itchan Kala) feels frozen in the 17th century, with mud-brick walls, blue-tile minarets, and 51 mosques.

⭐ Things to do in Khiva

Itchan Kala walled townKalta Minor unfinished minaretTash Khauli palaceJuma Mosque (213 columns)City wall walkKalta Minor at sunsetSleeping atop city walls B&BTopraq Qala fortress (40 km out)

🍽️ What to eat in Khiva

Signature local dishes worth seeking out.

PlovShivit oshi (green noodles)Tukhum barakGreen tea

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Walk old town; train + flight to Urgench (closest airport).

💡 Local tip

Stay overnight INSIDE the walls — a different city after the day-trippers leave.