বুখারা এমন একটি শহর যা ভ্রমণকারীদের তার সমৃদ্ধ ইতিহাস, অত্যাশ্চর্য স্থাপত্য এবং সিল্ক রোডের মন্ত্রমুগ্ধকর গল্পের ইশারা দেয়। মধ্য এশিয়ার প্রাচীনতম অবিচ্ছিন্ন জনবসতি শহরগুলির মধ্যে একটি হিসাবে পরিচিত, বুখারার ইতিহাস দুই সহস্রাব্দেরও বেশি পুরনো, এবং এটি এই অঞ্চলের উন্নয়নে একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ভূমিকা পালন করেছে। আমরা বুখারার চিত্তাকর্ষক শহর অন্বেষণ এবং এর আকর্ষণীয় ইতিহাস খুঁজে বের করার সময় সময়ের মধ্যে ভ্রমণে আমার সাথে যোগ দিন।
The Silk Road: A Historical Crossroads
Bukhara's history is closely entangled with the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that connected the East and West. For centuries, caravans laden with exotic goods, from spices and silks to precious stones, passed through this city, enriching its culture and making it a melting pot of ideas, languages, and cultures.
The Mausoleums and Mosques: A Testament to Time
One of the city's most striking features is its collection of beautifully preserved mausoleums and mosques. The Po-i-Kalyan complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the stunning Kalon Minaret, the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, and the Kalon Mosque. These architectural marvels are a testament to the grandeur of Islamic culture and the city's golden age.
Ark of Bukhara: The Ancient Citadel
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the Ark of Bukhara stands as a silent guardian of its history. This ancient fortress, dating back to the 5th century, has seen countless rulers, battles, and changing empires. It's a living museum of Bukhara's past and offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.
Bukhara's Cultural Legacy
Bukhara has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and science. The city was home to Avicenna, the renowned polymath and philosopher whose medical writings influenced the course of Western medicine. The city's madrasas were centers of learning during the medieval era, attracting scholars from across the world.
Important Information for Travelers to Plan Journey
If you arrive by bus or by train, you’ll arrive in the newer part of Bukhara city which is called Kagan, a 20-minute drive (14km) from the old city center of Bukhara. You can get from the bus or train station to the old city center by Yandex taxi for 20,000 UZS to 25,000 UZS (Uzbekistani Som).
The Kalyan mosque that stands next to the minaret is the largest mosque in Bukhara and a great place to visit in the early morning. The best time to visit it is at sunrise and if you go there earlier than the official opening time, you can visit the mosque for free. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of 20,000 som.
Bukhara has now Hop-on Hop-off Buses that will bring you to all the different places of interest in one day. They have a bus that leaves from Lyab-i- Hauz every day between 9 am and 6 pm.
As always recommend to install the "Yandex Taxi app" and "Yandex Map" on your phone. This app allows you to order a taxi to easily get around and shows you the rate in advance.
How many days to spend in Bukhara
Two days would be enough.
Place to visit Bukhara & Entry Fees
· Ark Fortress Bukhara; Entry Fees: 40,000; Time 9am to 8pm
· Bolo Khauz Mosque (opposite to Ark Fortress). Try to offer one waqt of salah. During prayer time, inside masjid will be opened. Inside Masjid is stanning and Fabolous.
· Kalyan Mosque; Entry Fees: 20,000; if you enter for prayer purpose during prayer time, it will be free.
· Miri-Arab Madrasah (next to Kalyan Mosque)
· Kalyan Minaret (next to Kalyan Mosque)
· Ulugbek Madrassah (next to Kalyan Mosque)
· Ismail Samanis Mausoleum
· Lyabi-Khauz Complex
· Chor Minor Madrassah
· Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah
· Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa palace; Entry Fees: 40,000; This place is outside old Bukhara. Yandex taxi will cost max 12,000 Som one way.
· Chor Bakr Memorial Complex; Entry Fees: 10,000; This place is outside old Bukhara. Yandex taxi will cost max 15,000 Som one way.
Important Tourist Attractions Map
I’ve created a map in Google and marked all important tourist attractions and also show how to travel from point A to B to C on-wards. Click to Download.
Where to Stay
· Old Street Guest House (I’ve stayed and recommended)
· Art Guest House Usto
· PORSO BOUTIQUE HOTEL
How to Travel within City
(i) Yandex Taxi:
Install Yandex Taxi app and use it. This is very cheap.
Note:
Technically, all attractions are very close to ‘Kalyan Mosque’. You keep Kalyan Mosque at the center and then visit all attractions nearby.
Spend evening at Lyabi-Khauz Complex which is surrounded by lot of eateries. You will find lot of open-air street performance around Lyabi-Khauz Complex.
Enter into ‘Bolo Khauz Mosque’ during any prayer time. You will not regret.
‘Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa palace’ and ‘Chor Bakr Memorial Complex’ is outside old Bukhara city thus visit next day. Use Yandex taxi for both place.
Food
Try traditional Uzbek lamb at ‘Old Bukhara’ restaurant. Try Uzbek national dish Plov at ‘THE PLOV’ restaurant. You will find difference in taste than plov from Tashkent.