Five Reasons to Visit Khiva

Photographer: Feruz Rustamov

1. ENJOY MUSIC AND DANCES

Music is the great love of Khorezmians. Even newborns move to the rhythm of the fiery clang dance. There are many folklore festivals around the year in Khorezm. Once you are there, local people will make sure you learn their dances and love celebrating life.

2. TO ADMIRE CRAFTS

Locals teach their children crafts from an early age.The city is considered to be the center for the production of artistic metalwork, the art of woodcarving for gift knives with a pointed blade “Guldor Peach”, carpet-making, and jewelry art.

3. TO EXPLORE ICHAN-KALA

Ancient Khiva is also called “Egypt of Central Asia”. The city has more than a dozen of fortresses. The main attraction of the region is the fortress Ichan-Kala, surrounded by a clay 10-meters wall located on 10 hectares of land. In the open-air museum, about 60 grandiose structures of the 5th-6th centuries are concentrated: palaces, mosques, madrasas, mausoleums, minarets.

4. TO TASTE LOCAL CUISINE

Many dishes in Khorezm are based on pastry. In the restaurants of Khiva, you will find dishes like Shivitoshi (dill noodles), Gumma (fried dough pockets filled either with meat or vegetables) and Plov. Ijjan. The region is famous for its fish from the Amudarya or from fishponds. Restaurants offer fresh fish, taken out of the water in the presence of the customer. The main course is usually accompanied by a big choice of salads and fruits, according to season.

5. TO GET TO THE TOP

The top of the minaret of Islom Khoja provides a sense of the bird’s-eye panorama. The ascent to the highest minaret of Khiva can be a real adventure. At the entrance instructor warns everyone: the climb is steep, the walls are narrow, the ceilings are low, the steps are slippery and the first 20 meters will have to go in complete darkness.