KHIVA

ANOTHER OF THE GREAT silk road era cities, Khiva’s monuments are mostly contained within the walls of the Ichon Qala (Old City).
A city here dates back to Shem, son of ark builder, Noah, and is referenced in 10th century Arab chronicles. Ethinc Persian were replaced by Turkic speakers, and then in 1511, a band of nomadic Uzbek tribes established the Khanate of Khiva.
The capital was moved here in the 17th century from Konye-Urgench (Turkmenistan), and despite struggles within and with Bukhara, held power until the Russians came in the 20th century.
This compact town is packed with mosques, madrasahs and minarets of exquisite beauty.