Kalon Mosque, Bukhara

National GeographicJul 31

The surprising detour of the Silk Road, the world’s original superhighway

Tourism is booming along the former trade routes of the ancient Uzbekistan. To understand its recent transformation, Gary Shteyngart took to the caravan trail.

One of Central Asia's largest mosques with an impressive minaret.

14 things in this story

Ark of BukharaAttractionThe Platonic ideal of a fortress, its interior a city-within-a-city.
Kalon MosquePlace of worshipOne of Central Asia's largest mosques with an impressive minaret.
Eternal BukharaPlaceTourism development with hotels, replica architecture, and cafes.
Elsewhere
Chorsu BazaarMarketTashkent, UzbekistanSoviet-era pavilion covers a site that's been a market for 2,000 years.
Uzbekistan AirwaysAirportTashkent, UzbekistanExperience Tashkent Airport, a world-class service icon and destination in itself.
Silk RoadRestaurantUzbekistanThe country is leaning hard on this brand for tourism.
AfrosiyobNeighborhoodTashkent, UzbekistanHigh-speed train named for an ancient settlement of Silk Road merchants.
RegistanSightSamarkand, UzbekistanFamed public square flanked by three ornate madrassas.
Gur-e-AmirSightSamarkand, UzbekistanA cascading complex of mausoleums where Ulugh Beg is buried.
Silk Road MuseumMuseumSamarkand, UzbekistanNew museum planned near Gur-e-Amir, showcasing finds and crafts.
Silk Road SamarkandAttractionSamarkand, UzbekistanA four-year-old resort development on the eastern edge of town.
Eternal CityAttractionSamarkand, UzbekistanReplica Silk Road oasis town with restaurants and boutiques.
HiltonHotelSamarkand, UzbekistanSkyscraper hotel part of the Eternal City development.
Silk Road WaterlandSightSamarkand, UzbekistanWater park with 18 waterslides, part of the Eternal City.

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

Kalon Mosque

In the coverage1 story

The surprising detour of the Silk Road, the world’s original superhighway