Bukhara
Travel Guide > Asia > Uzbekistan > Bukhara
Introduction
Bukhara (formerly known as Bokhara in 19th century English) is the one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan with a population of around 250 000. Strategically located on the ancient Silk Route, the city experienced quick growth and wealth and this is reflected in the architecture and history to todays visitors. It's often referred to as one of the holiest cities in Central Asia, in part due to the name Bukhara which stands for "the Noble/the Holy". Of course the many mosques help.
The city consists of an old part and a new part, with the old part being the most popular for travellers as the main historical sights are grouped closely together here. A mandatory stop is the Lab-i-Hauz, a square centered around a big pool of water. It's a great place to sit and relax while watching the fountains. From the Lab-i-Hauz you can venture through the narrow alleys and streets taking in the Jewish minority neighbourhoods that Bukhara is also known for.
This is version 3. Last edited at 6:10 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+56). 1 article links to this page.
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