After a long drive across the yellow Kyzlkum desert of Uzbekistan from Bukhara, we finally crossed the mighty Oxus river (now called the Amu Darya) to arrive in the legendary city of Khiva.
For all its golden beauty and turquoise tiled domes, my first impression of Khiva was that it is a bit of a ghost town. It has been perfectly preserved by the Soviets and their successors but seems in many ways an exhibit retained only for tourists.
For tourists who are willing to travel a long way from anywhere to see where the Khans reigned with terror from behind their bulging fortifications in the heart of Central Asia.
The Khanate of Khiva ruled from 1511 to 1920, although it became a Russian protectorate in 1873, prefiguring incorporation into the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution. Khiva was a point of contention during the “Great Game” as Britain and Russia vied for influence in Central Asia.
Despite the faintly museum-like atmosphere, in the end we were far from disappointed with the Islamic architecture and the hospitality of Khiva. For a start just take a look at the ramparts of the city, they are huge:
Walking the darkened streets of Khiva in the evening, after the harsh sun of the day has receded, the bricks radiate their retained heat, tiny bats fly about your ears and then you can imagine the fearful subjects of the Khans living here.
Now all that remains are peaceful Medressahs and richly-ornamented royal courtyards. Khiva is a city of turquoise tiled domes and minarets. Watching the sunset bathe the walls and buildings in golden light from the terrace on the oldest part of the Ark.
A market stall of the huge, shaggy Turkmen-style telpek hat is an excuse for some photo opportunity laughs but apparently they wore them even during the heat of the Central Asian summer!
The summer palace and mosque inside the Ark fortress are beautiful. Pillared and facing away from the sun, the walls and balconies are completely covered in tiles. In the Tosh Kouli palace the interior roofs are lined with carved and painted wood.
Where to stay and eat in Khiva
We stayed at a very nice little B&B in Khiva – the Hotel Islambek – on the edge of Inchon Quola (the old town). And we found one of the few really good meals in Uzbekistan! At the Hotel Khiva they put on a good spread for the coach tour groups but independent travellers can eat here also.
A table loaded with bread and many different types of salads, cheese, nuts, cold water and chay. Some very tasty plov and a savoury sauce with potato, carrot and rice meatballs. To finish, cake and a big dish of cherries. All served in a 19th-century vaulted dining room of cool, white-plastered stone. I have to admit we went a bit mad on the food.
By Natasha von Geldern
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Love that photo of the fortress. The light is just stunning 🙂
Yet another post with amazing photos! Imagine having ceilings like those in your own home.
Incredible images! Just stuns me at the beauty of the places you’re visiting not to mention destroying my preconceptions of Central Asia.
I felt the same Peter, I thought Central Asia would be interesting but had no idea the cities would be so gorgeous still, or that the mountains would be so amazing, or that the people would be so hospitable.
Love that second photo!
You know, my birthday is just around the corner, and I would LOVE one of those hats… 🙂
LOL I think they’d be great for arctic regions; probably got a bit smelly in the desert tho!
Great photos of Khiva and comments on local hospitality.
wow! Love this post and the architecture!
Great photos, this place is amazing…