[2025 Khiva Attraction] Travel Guide for Islam Khoja Minaret (Updated May)

Khiva feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved time capsule. Enclosed by thick mud-brick walls, its old town—Itchan Kala—is a UNESCO World Heritage site where every minaret, madrasa, and mosaic whispers of ancient Silk Road tales. The entire city looks like a movie set, only it’s real, walkable, and wonderfully quiet. What makes Khiva unique is its sense of calm. Unlike the bustle of Samarkand or Bukhara, here the silence is part of the charm. You can wander for hours through narrow alleys, climb the Kalta Minor minaret (unfinished, yet iconic with its bold turquoise tiles), and explore historic mosques without crowds. The golden hour here is pure magic—terracotta walls catch the sun, and the whole city glows like honey. Highlights I loved: Climbing the Islam Khoja minaret for a 360° view over the rooftops and desert. Visiting Tash Khauli Palace with its royal courtyards and intricate tile work. Enjoying fresh bread and tea in a shaded courtyard surrounded by carved columns. Shopping local crafts—from hand-printed fabrics to wood carvings—directly from artisans. Tips for travelers📝 Stay inside the old city walls—you’ll feel like a traveler from another century. Bring a flashlight for exploring smaller madrasas and hidden alleys after dusk. Prepare for heat in summer—sunhats and water are a must. Cash is king; not all vendors accept cards, so bring Uzbek soms. Try shurpa (meat and vegetable soup) at a local family-run restaurant. Khiva is quiet, golden, and poetic—a city that makes you slow down and savor the silence. It’s not just seen; it’s felt. #KhivaChronicles #CityOfSilence #DesertDreamscape #ItchanKalaVibes #SilkRoadSecrets #GoldenCityWalls #UzbekistanWonders #WalkThroughHistory #TravelOffTheMap #HiddenGemsOfCentralAsia #TripMoments #WanderlustInKhiva

One of the three Extra Tickets, the Islam Khoja Minaret 🛕 By paying an additional fee to purchase a ticket, you can enter the minaret and climb the stairs to the top ☺️🏹 Although we didn't purchase the Extra Ticket here, we were able to climb the stairs outside the minaret in the morning 😝 After 8 AM, this area quickly transformed into a lively and popular spot with many souvenir shops and stalls lining up 😎✨ Islam Khodja Madrasa, Khiva, Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan 8:00-18:00

#Great Places in September 2024 The Juma Mosque is a 10th to 18th century mosque in Khiva, Uzbekistan. It is one of the main monuments of the ancient city of Khiva and a world heritage site 🌟✨ It is located in the middle of Itchan Kala, connecting the west gate and the east gate. The mosque was first recorded in the 10th century and was rebuilt in 1788🕌 There are 212 beautifully carved wooden pillars in the Juma Mosque between the 10th and 18th centuries, supporting the roof. Each pillar is unique 💖carved with different patterns, styles and techniques that vary depending on when they were created. Therefore, the Jumma Mosque looks almost like a museum depicting the history of traditional Khiva wood carvings! It’s a must visit‼ ️ 📍99H5+2X6, Xiva, Xorazm Viloyati, Uzbekistan

Take a 13:37-hour green train from Tashkent, cross the desolate desert, and you will arrive at the ancient city of Khiva. As one of the world heritage sites in Uzbekistan, the ancient city of Khiva has 51 ancient monuments and 250 residences, including palaces, mosques, temples, minarets, seminaries, tombs, markets, and baths. It is difficult to distinguish these buildings without a map. At the entrance of the Amir Tula Seminary, I saw a stone tablet with the words "China Government Aid Uzbekistan Khwarazm State Historical and Cultural Heritage Restoration Project". "I am willing to give a belt of gold, just to see Khiva", this ancient proverb is still working its magic today.