Silk Road Waterland, Samarkand

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.

Water park with 18 waterslides, part of the Eternal City.

14 things in this story

RegistanSightFamed public square flanked by three ornate madrassas.
Gur-e-AmirSightA cascading complex of mausoleums where Ulugh Beg is buried.
Silk Road MuseumMuseumNew museum planned near Gur-e-Amir, showcasing finds and crafts.
Silk Road SamarkandAttractionA four-year-old resort development on the eastern edge of town.
Eternal CityAttractionReplica Silk Road oasis town with restaurants and boutiques.
HiltonHotelSkyscraper hotel part of the Eternal City development.
Silk Road WaterlandSightWater park with 18 waterslides, part of the Eternal City.
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.
Ark of BukharaAttractionBukhara, UzbekistanThe Platonic ideal of a fortress, its interior a city-within-a-city.
Kalon MosquePlace of worshipBukhara, UzbekistanOne of Central Asia's largest mosques with an impressive minaret.
Eternal BukharaPlaceBukhara, UzbekistanTourism development with hotels, replica architecture, and cafes.

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Silk Road Waterland

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