[2025 Bukhara Attraction] Travel Guide for Chor-Minor (Updated Jun)

🌟 【First Impressions of Bukhara: A Blue City Through the Millennia】 Arriving at dusk, the golden hues of the setting sun gilded the ochre city walls, while the blue domes shimmered mysteriously in the fading light. Unlike the bustle of Samarkand, Bukhara is filled only with the jingle of donkey carts and the clinking of artisans hammering copper, as if the first page of *One Thousand and One Nights* had come to life before my eyes. I stayed at AYVAN Guesthouse (¥200/person per night), a century-old mansion transformed into a cozy retreat. Opening the window revealed intricately carved arches, and the courtyard pomegranate tree was heavy with fruit—time here moves so slowly it soothes the soul. 📸 【Must-Visit Spots: A Feast for the Eyes and Soul】 **Chor Minor** At 7 a.m., I had this fairy-tale-like blue-domed tower all to myself! The four minarets, adorned with Persian patterns, glowed in the morning light. Hidden gem: head to the back alley and frame the towers through an arch for a *Lonely Planet*-worthy shot. A local embroiderer gifted me a pomegranate-patterned scarf, saying, "Blue is Bukhara’s love letter to the sky." 💙 **Po-i-Kalyan Complex** The 46-meter-high Kalyan Minaret even made Genghis Khan bow in awe (legend says he spared it out of admiration). Climbing to the top as the call to prayer echoed, I watched thousands of pigeons swirl around the tower, the ancient city unfolding below like an epic painting. Pro tip: wear a bright-colored dress! The contrast between the minaret’s ochre walls and indigo tiles makes for stunning photos. **Ark Citadel** Touching the 16-meter-high rammed-earth walls, I imagined the whips and slave markets of the past. The most moving sight was the Samanid Mausoleum—its bricks arranged in 648 patterns that shimmer like a galaxy at dawn and dusk (locals call it "the breathing building"). The underground passages hide wartime shelters, chilling to the bone. 🍴 【Bukhara on a Plate: Carbs and Tea Delights】 **Plov**: At Chayxana Chinar by Lyabi-Hauz Square, watch as they scoop it fresh from a giant copper pot! The lamb falls off the bone, and the caramelized carrots melt into the amber rice, balanced with pickles (¥35/portion). **Samsa**: These oven-fresh pumpkin-filled pastries from the bazaar have a crispy shell and a molten center (¥5 each)! Sip almond tea by the pond, feeding pigeons—just like Avicenna’s leisurely days. *Avoid*: The "Thai fried rice"—I fell victim to undercooked rice (¥36/portion)! 🛍️ 【Bazaar Treasures: Packing the Silk Road in Your Bag】 **Taki Sarrafon Bazaar** feels like Aladdin’s cave! I snagged a palm-sized miniature painting (a Persian knight leaping off the page) for ¥200 and a hand-carved copper coffee pot for ¥80. Haggling tip: start at half the price, then pretend to walk away—the shopkeeper laughed and pulled me back, "For Avicenna’s sake!" Hidden gem: **Silk Carpet Workshop**, where golden threads weave magic. An old craftsman demonstrated how to toss a rug so a porcelain bowl stays put—proof the "flying carpet" legend began here! ❤️ 【Heartwarming Moments: A Journey Wrapped in Kindness】 - A little boy fetched his grandfather to help reverse my car out of a narrow alley. - A girl on the street handed me a handful of mulberries: "Sweet, right? Bukhara’s pomegranates are sweeter!" - My homestay auntie knocked daily: "Eat up, child! You’ll need energy to chase the sun!" (Her honey flatbread + homemade yogurt were divine.) 📝 【Pro Tips: Hard-Earned Wisdom】 - **Transport**: Take the Afrosiyob high-speed train from Tashkent (¥80/3h)—window seats for desert sunsets! In town, walk everywhere. - **Currency**: Carry small bills! Most bazaars are cash-only (¥1 ≈ 1,600 som, plov ≈ 50,000 som). - **Best season**: September–November! 20°C, no rain, and streets ablaze with ripe pomegranates. - **Etiquette**: Remove shoes in mosques + women cover heads (bring a scarf). Avoid photographing worshippers. - **Avoid scams**: Beware "free guides"—official guides wear blue badges (museum tickets include tours). ✨ 【A Traveler’s Reflection】 "Bukhara’s magic lies in making history tangible—sitting by a 10th-century pool, biting into a warm samsa, watching pigeons scatter at the sound of a coppersmith’s hammer, you suddenly understand why Sogdian merchants braved deserts to linger here. This isn’t a relic; it’s the Silk Road alive." 🌍

Bukhara, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿, was once a thriving hub along the Silk Road. This city has preserved the atmosphere of its glorious past remarkably well. Until about a century ago, it served as the capital of the Bukhara Khanate, boasting bustling bazaars, mosques, and madrasahs. It was a city where Muslims from various regions gathered for pilgrimage and study, earning it the title of the "Holy Bukhara," now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the remaining madrasahs in the city, and visit landmarks like the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and the Ark Fortress to feel as though you've stepped into another world. Don't miss the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the oldest surviving architectural structure in Central Asia.

If Samarkand is the "heart" of Uzbekistan and Khiva is a desert fairytale, then Bukhara is a living page from *One Thousand and One Nights*. This ancient city on the Silk Road, with its earthen-yellow buildings, echoes under domes, and sun-drenched mulberry trees, showed me the true essence of Central Asia. Don't miss these experiences in Bukhara! 1️⃣ Lyabi-Hauz Complex: Step through the turquoise and blue patterned archways and feel like you've fallen into the Middle Ages. I recommend visiting after 4 PM, when the light slants across the glazed tiles, making each geometric pattern glow. 2️⃣ Statue of Nasreddin Hodja: The people of Bukhara insist that the witty Nasreddin was born here! By the pool in the old city stands a bronze statue of him riding his donkey, his mustache perked up. Locals passing by touch the donkey's head for good luck, and I secretly tried it too—after all, who couldn't use a bit of humorous good fortune? 3️⃣ Chor Minor Madrasah: Its Uzbek name, "Chor Minor," literally translates to "four towers." From afar, it looks like four stout pillars topped with blue hats, a blend of Indian and Central Asian styles. Even better, climb the narrow stairs to the second-floor platform for a bird's-eye view of the old city's rooftops. 4️⃣ Kalyan Mosque + Minaret: The 47-meter-high Kalyan Minaret was so impressive that even Genghis Khan couldn't bring himself to destroy it. Standing at the base and looking up, the layers of bricks form star-like patterns, inspiring awe and a touch of vertigo. The adjacent Kalyan Mosque is surprisingly vast, with 212 columns supporting a shaded expanse, perfect for quiet contemplation and listening to the wind swirl around the dome. 5️⃣ Ark of Bukhara: This citadel, built on ruins, was once the center of power for the Emirate of Bukhara. I recommend visiting before sunset! Walk along the walls to the west side, and watch the entire old city glow honey-colored in the twilight, the silhouettes of the minarets like needles stopping time. The ethnographic museum inside displays wedding dresses and musical instruments, but the most captivating thing is always the breeze that sweeps across the terrace. 6️⃣ Bolo Haouz Mosque: Tucked away on the edge of the old city, it's easy to miss, but the towering wooden pillars are worth seeing—craftsmen from 800 years ago carved spiral patterns from whole tree trunks. There's a small window in the side hall; when the midday sun shines through, dust dances in the beam, blurring the lines between past and present. 🏨 Stay in History: Mercure Bukhara Old City I stayed in a hotel in the heart of the old city, converted from a 19th-century caravanserai. The Persian-style pool in the central courtyard, carved wooden beams, and vintage chandeliers perfectly balance history and comfort. The rooftop breakfast was an even bigger surprise. While munching on naan and sipping salty milk tea, I could turn my head and see the spire of the Kalyan Minaret—this is the right way to experience Bukhara!

In the 7th century, as Islam began to spread and flourish in Bukhara, thousands of mosques, madrasas, and other places of worship were built, making it a famous center of Islamic scholarship at the time. Now, the three must-see mosques are the ones that have been preserved👍🏻 👣They are: Char Minar Mosque - Bolo Haouz Mosque - Magok-i-Attari Mosque 1️⃣ Char Minar Mosque: Also known as the Char Minar Mosque, "Char Minar" means "four minarets" in Uzbek, and the four minarets also represent the four dynasties. Bukhara has a history of over 2,500 years. In the 9th-10th centuries, it was the capital of the Samanid dynasty, occupied by Genghis Khan in 1220, conquered by the Turkic Timur, the founder of the Timurid Empire, in 1370, and finally became the capital of Uzbekistan in the mid-16th century. 2️⃣ Bolo Haouz Mosque: The mosque was built in the 18th century, and its name, when transliterated, means "mosque on the pond." The most special feature of this mosque is the wooden columns on the front porch, which are stalactite-shaped and have horse-hoof-like bases, reflecting the influence of Iranian style to some extent. 3️⃣ Magok-i-Attari Mosque: It is said to be one of the earliest mosques of the Middle Ages, as its history can be traced back to the 9th century. In the 9th century, this place was once a Zoroastrian temple, which was converted into a mosque after Islamization. The original mosque was destroyed in a fire in 937 AD and remained in ruins for a long time. After reconstruction, it was smaller in scale, and what you see now is the original from the 12th century. 🚗Transportation: These three attractions in the old city of Bukhara are all within walking distance, making them ideal for a city walk. 💰Tickets: The first two mosques do not require tickets, but the Magok-i-Attari Mosque is now a street museum, and a separate fee is required to visit.

The Four Minarets Mosque, located in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is a historic royal mosque. The mosque's facade is supported by 20 wooden columns, and its interior boasts numerous exquisite murals, making it a paradise for history enthusiasts. The name 'Four Minarets Mosque' in Uzbek means 'Four Minarets,' aptly describing the architectural style of the building. The domes of the four towers are uniquely Tiffany blue. Each of the four towers features different decorative patterns, which are said to reflect the four religions familiar to Central Asians. The unique Four Minarets Mosque is a favorite spot for tourists to visit and take photos. It's definitely worth a visit. Opening Hours: Open year-round from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The old town of Bukhara, which is also the scenic area, is much smaller than Samarkand. I was accompanied by a lady from Bangkok, of course, I was leading her, and she also benefited from my presence (free admission). Having company meant that I took more photos, including the cover of a Lonely Planet guidebook, as well as local landmarks, and the great minaret with a connection to Genghis Khan! The weather was very hot and sunny, but fortunately, it was a dry heat with some wind, not like being in a sauna.

After lounging in the old town of Bukhara for a few days, I decided to visit the surrounding attractions. There are quite a few sights outside of Bukhara city, and after screening, I found these to be the most quintessential and worthwhile. 👉 Although there are minibuses to each attraction, they are not in the same direction, so hiring an online car is the most convenient. 🏞Route: Chor Minor Medressa~Amir's summer palace~Nakshbandi Bukhari Mausoleum 1⃣Chor Minor Medressa This madrasah, which graced the cover of 'Lonely Planet', has now been turned into shops, but its unique architectural facade still attracts many tourists. The highlights are the four small towers and bird nests on top of the madrasah. 🚖About two kilometers outside the old town, it is walkable or you can hire an online car. 2⃣Amir's summer palace This was the summer palace of the last Emir, Alim Khan, and has now been turned into a museum. The palace displays royal furnishings and Alim Khan's personal belongings. The highlight is the star and moon garden outside the palace, which is particularly beautiful, and they even have peacocks. The ticket price is 40,000 som, and I can confirm that it's possible to bargain. 🚖It's over 10 kilometers from the old town, and the online car fare is less than 10 RMB. 3⃣Nakshbandi Bukhari Mausoleum It is said that the Sufi saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi and the Bukhara khans and nobles are buried here. In the hearts of the locals, this place is second only to Mecca. The star and moon corridor and the Khoz pool inside the mausoleum are very beautiful, and next to the mosque, there is a place to receive holy water. The ticket price is 10,000 som, about 6 RMB. 🚖It's over 20 kilometers from the old town, and the online car fare is 25,000 som, about 15 RMB.