[2025 Khiva Attraction] Travel Guide for Itchan Kala (Updated Jul)

Located in Khiva, in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan, Itchan Kala is an old town that feels like stepping back in time to the medieval era. It is one of the most historically rich areas in Uzbekistan. Inside Itchan Kala, you'll find minarets, mosques, and old schools, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can spend an entire day exploring. 📍Islam Khodja Minaret The tallest minaret in Khiva, standing at 45 meters. Amazingly, you can climb to the top. 📍City Walls Itchan Kala is surrounded by city walls, and you can climb them from the North Gate to enjoy a panoramic view of the old town. 📍TERRASSA This restaurant was recommended by the owner of a local hotel. It serves traditional Uzbek cuisine, and the charming design of the place makes it highly recommended.

📍Islam Khoja🏨 This inn is located in Ichan Kala in the city of Khiva. It's family-run and very friendly. We arrived around 10am, but we were able to get into our room early. It was very helpful as we were tired after traveling on an overnight train. When we arrived, the weather was cloudy and we had been walking along a road with few people, so we were a bit worried, but the first thing the owner said was, "It feels like home, so it's a relief, right? 😉?" His words made us feel a lot better. The owners are brothers and apparently they turned their original family home into a hotel. I was impressed that it was a pretty big house for a family home, and the owner said, "This size of house is normal in Uzbekistan" 🫢 And you can see the cityscape from your room ✨ For breakfast, you can enjoy home-cooked meals made by the owner's wife. If you want to drink something, you can buy it at the hotel 🙆♀️ By the way, they also run tours so you can be pampered 🤩 This is a place where you can experience the Uzbek home life. I recommend it. #absolutelyfreetrip #hotelintroduction #uzbekistan #solotrip #girlstrip

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

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 #Khiva #khiva is a historic city in #Uzbekistan. The city is famous for its well-preserved ancient architecture, maze of narrow streets and rich cultural traditions. The ancient city of Khiva is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The old city is well preserved and is filled with mosques, madrasas and mausoleums. But none of them are used for the same purpose as before, and have basically been converted into high-end hotels or museums. Since it is a little far from the other two famous tourist cities #Samarkand and #Bukhara, many tourists will consider giving up Khiva due to time issues, but I suggest that if you have the conditions, try to come here. It is different from the previous two cities in style. The entire ancient city is very well preserved, small and exquisite. The old town is small, but you should stay there for at least one early morning and one evening, especially the evening. #travelkhiva #freetravel #CentralAsia #FiveCentralAsianCountries #Uzbekistan

| A pearl of the Silk Road, where millennia intertwine. 🌍 Journey through the Silk Road's starting point and touch the soul of Central Asia. Urgench, this ancient Central Asian city nourished by the Amu Darya River, is the heart of Uzbekistan's Khorezm Region and a shining pearl on the western end of the ancient Silk Road. Here, where desert and oasis coexist, and history collides with modernity, every step treads upon the folds of civilization. ✨ 5 Unmissable Experiences 1️⃣ A Day Trip Through Ancient Khiva From Urgench, a half-hour drive takes you to Khiva, an "open-air museum." With its blue-domed mosques, weathered minarets, and medieval caravan stations, it's like stepping into a tale from "One Thousand and One Nights." Don't miss the Ichan Kala, the inner city, where you can stroll along the stone-paved streets at sunset and listen to the echoes of camel bells through time. 2️⃣ The Bustling Atmosphere of the Bazaar Urgench's central bazaar (Urgench Bazaar) is a feast for the senses: spices piled high like rainbow mountains, artisans hammering copperware to the rhythm of ancient melodies, the aroma of bread wafting from the tandoor ovens, and the secrets of generations hidden within the plov cauldrons. Take home a hand-painted ceramic piece or a silk scarf, and wear the Central Asian charm. 3️⃣ A Romantic Encounter Between Desert and Oasis Drive to the banks of the Amu Darya River and witness the embrace of golden sand dunes and turquoise oases. Explore ancient desert fort ruins on camelback, or savor a pot of tea under the shade of palm trees, experiencing the wild tenderness of the Central Asian landscape. 4️⃣ A Cultural Feast Under the Stars At night, Urgench transforms into a palace of art. At traditional Shashmaqam music concerts, harps and voices intertwine; folk dancers twirl like whirlwinds, their skirts tracing the curves of the Silk Road. Raise a glass of wine and dance with the locals until the stars emerge. 5️⃣ A Culinary Journey Along the Silk Road Uzbek cuisine is a Silk Road for the taste buds: Lagman noodles with tomato and mutton soup, char-grilled shashlik skewers, plov (pilaf) rice studded with dried fruits... Finish with a cup of sweet dorana tea, letting the aroma become the most unforgettable memory of your trip. 📅 Best Time to Travel Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) offer pleasant weather with moderate desert temperatures, ideal for outdoor exploration. If visiting in winter, the steam from the bazaar against the backdrop of snow creates a unique and charming scene. 🚗 Transportation Tips ✈️ Urgench International Airport is a convenient gateway to Central Asia, with direct flights from Beijing, Istanbul, Moscow, and other cities. 🚌 Within the city, explore on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. For surrounding attractions, hiring a car is recommended. Local driver-guides can unlock "hidden maps" for you. 💡 Travel Tips Respect Islamic culture; remove your shoes and dress modestly when entering religious sites. Try greeting people in Russian or simple Uzbek ("Assalomu alaykum") to receive warm smiles from the locals. Urgench has strong sunlight, so sunscreen and moisturizer are essential, but bring a light jacket for the cool evenings. 🌌 Urgench is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a journey through millennia. Here, every brick tells a story of the Silk Road, and every smile embodies Central Asian hospitality. Pack your bags and let the morning breeze and starry nights of Urgench become the most vibrant chapter in your life's story.

• Before you go: • Visa: Chinese citizens can enjoy visa-free entry to Uzbekistan, but please note the visa-free stay period and entry/exit methods. • Equipment: Bring lightweight clothing, a windproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and sunscreen to cope with the changeable climate of Central Asia. • Language: The official languages of Uzbekistan are Uzbek and Russian. English is not widely spoken, so we recommend downloading a translation app. • Transportation: • Plane: Urgench International Airport has international flights to Tashkent and other places, providing convenient air transportation. • Train: Urgench Railway Station is located on the Turkmenabad-Beyneu Railway Line and is an important hub for land transportation. • Must-see attractions: • Khiva Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Central Asia, with ancient city walls and exquisite buildings. • Turebek-Khanym Mausoleum: Of great historical and cultural value, with a unique architectural style. • Urgench Bazaar: Experience local customs and buy handicrafts. • Food recommendations: • Grilled lamb: One of the most popular local delicacies, with tender and juicy meat. • Lagman: Traditional noodles made of handmade noodles, meat, vegetables, and spices, with a rich taste. • Accommodation suggestions: • Choose a hotel in the city center, which is convenient for transportation and has complete facilities. Prices vary according to the season and conditions.

I’d be willing to offer a bag of gold in exchange for just one look at the ancient city of Khiva. This Central Asian saying speaks amply to Khiva’s historic status as one of the most beautiful and storied cities along the ancient silk road in Uzbekistan. And having spent almost two days there, I would say Khiva lives amply up to its good name. We woke up to brilliant rays of the morning sun. The plan of the day was simply walk around the Ichon Qala (also Itchan Kala), as it is a well-defined, enclosed area with an endless number of heritage mosques, madrassas and defense fortifications. Khiva is, in many ways, distinct from Samarkand and Bukhara. Known as an “open air museum,” Khiva’s Ichon Qala envisions itself as a place for the tourists. Whereas both in Samarkand and in Bukhara there were opportunities for us to take but a glimpse of the local residents’ lives there, in Khiva tourism is the very life itself for Khiva’s people. You do pay for this, as a result – the first thing to note is the (comparatively) costly entrance fee for the Ichon Qala. It costs 100,000 Som (about US$8) to enter and tour the city, and at key sites they will check your ticket. For as long as the existence of the ancient Silk Road Khiva had been the very last stop on the Central Asian segment of the trade route. For the caravan traders Khiva was a water stop for their fleet through the vast aridity of the Kyzylkum Desert, which was wedged between the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya rivers. According to legends, Shem, one of Noah’s sons, found sweet water here (“Khey-vakh”), thus began the name of this city as Khiva. It is believed that Khiva was founded around the 5th or 4th century B.C. Khiva was known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century. It must be noted that, like so many ancient cities in now Uzbekistan, Khiva was not spared from the brutality of the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. The Mongols razed down Khiva and therefore some of the ancient structures had to be rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. #khiva #uzbekistan #unescoworldheritage #itchankala #historicallandmarks #history #silkroad #历史古迹#世界遗产

One of the three Extra Tickets, and the one I actually bought and was extremely satisfied with, is the City Walls🏹🎠🪽 You can climb up and walk along the walls surrounding Ichankala😆 The view of Ichankala from above is uniquely beautiful, and the minarets and mosques that appear small in the distance look as cute as if you were peeking into a toy box🥹🫶🏼 The walls are so prominent that you can see them no matter where you walk in Ichankala, but the only place you can buy this Extra Ticket and find stairs to the walls is the somewhat distant North Gate👀 This is a bit inconvenient, but compared to other tickets, it was quite affordable and there were very few people, which was great☺️🤍 Note that the walls have gates in the north, south, east, and west, but the walls are interrupted at the west and east gates, so you can't make a full circle😎✍️

The area surrounded by a double wall of outer and inner walls, about 6 km long, is called "Ichan Kala" and contains many palaces, mosques, and minarets (tall towers attached to mosques)😆🙌🏻 You need to pay an entrance fee to enter, and if you purchase a ticket, you can also enter some of the mosques and museums inside👀✨ However, there is actually a secret trick: guests staying at accommodations inside Ichan Kala can explore without paying the entrance fee🫢 (However, if you enter the building, you will need to purchase an entrance fee❕⚠️) We arrived at the accommodation at around 1am from Khiva airport by shuttle bus without going through the ticket office or gate check, and were able to explore freely from the next morning☺️ It seems that no matter what time you arrive, the flow will be the same if you are staying at an accommodation inside Ichan Kala😌💭 #0 yen trip January 2025 #overseas travel #Uzbekistan

There are many things to see in Khiva, Uzbekistan 😻 You can see a certain number of sights with the common ticket (200,000 UZS) to enter Itchan Kala, but you can also go to even more wonderful places for an additional fee ♪ 《Itchan Kala Walls》 The common ticket cannot be used for the walls, and there is a separate fee of 20,000 UZS (about 230 yen *rate as of November 2024) There are gates to climb the walls on the north and south. The first three photos are the north side, and the ones after that are the south side. The view is a little different~😃 There are not many people who climb the walls, so I didn't meet many people 🚶 It's a hidden gem, so if you go to Khiva, please visit this place as well 🍀 khiva/Itchan Kala #Overseas travel record #Uzbekistan #Khiva #khiva

Khiva is a desert city located in western Uzbekistan. The old town, Ichan Kala, is surrounded by high walls and is registered as a World Heritage site as a fortress city. It is also popular among some fans as a sacred place, as its appearance resembles the worldview of the popular manga "Attack on Titan"! The desert city, unified in earth colors, is truly beautiful and a truly spectacular sight! The cityscape dyed crimson by the sunset is particularly breathtaking. The top of the fortress is a walking path, and you can wander around freely. The evening view from the fortress is said to be the most beautiful, so I climbed up to the observation deck and took a picture! Khiva is located in the Xorazm region, western Uzbekistan. Itchan-Qala (Kala) in Khiva was the first site in Uzbekistan to be designated as the UNESCO world heritage site, surrounded by high walls like a fort. The sunset in Itchan-Qala is the best view of Khiva according to local people, so I climbed up to the Lookout for taking photos. #tripoverseastravel #Uzbekistan #worldheritage #greatview #animeholyland

Most travelers to Uzbekistan visit four main cities, but Khiva is the only one without a high-speed rail connection. To get there, you either have to fly or take a regular train. My trip to Uzbekistan was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and by then, all the plane tickets were sold out, so I took an overnight sleeper train to Khiva. The train station is a 20-minute walk from the old city. Since there are no taxi apps available in this city, you have to hail a cab, and like in all tourist cities, the drivers tend to charge higher fares. I arrived in Khiva's old city early in the morning before most tourists had arrived, so I was lucky to capture photos of the nearly empty ancient city. Although I knew it had been renovated, the restoration was beautifully done. Walking through the old city felt like being in a movie scene, with myself as one of the characters. The city's predominant earthy tones and its remote location made it feel like an ancient city in the middle of a desert. While you can explore the entire old city in half a day, there are so many unique items for sale that taking your time to stroll and browse is very enjoyable. Initially, I suspected that some of the souvenirs were mass-produced, but I saw artisans painting and embroidering items on the spot to prove they were handmade. Many tourists buy clothes to take photos because the designs perfectly match the scenery. By the afternoon, I noticed that almost the entire old city was filled with souvenir vendors, but the unique items they sold were not annoying at all. The food in Uzbekistan is quite similar across the country. My favorite is grilled lamb, which is delicious and affordable at any restaurant. It's worth mentioning that I visited during Ramadan. Initially, I was worried, but after reading online that Uzbekistan is a relatively secular country, I felt reassured. Since I mostly dined at tourist spots, Ramadan had no impact on my trip. Khiva is divided into the inner and outer old city. Most tour groups stay outside the old city, but I stayed at a guesthouse inside. From the guesthouse's rooftop, you can see the city walls, the entire old city, and the sunrise and sunset. You can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the view. Uzbekistan is very safe, so there's no need to worry. Most places are very clean, with restrooms and handwashing facilities readily available. The overall experience was excellent. Most people in the tourism industry speak basic English, and if not, you can use Google Translate or hand gestures to communicate.

#AdventurousTraveler The Ichon Kala Fortress is the core part of the ancient city of Khiva and has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage. In order to better protect it, a 10-meter-high brick wall was built to protect it, and it is strictly prohibited to rebuild it (as shown in the picture). It was once the last stop for caravans heading to the Iranian desert. The castle is a unique Islamic city and cultural expo city, where all historical monuments are well preserved. It is a model of well-preserved Muslim architectural complex in Central Asia. The Ichon Kala Fortress also displays items related to the king of the Khiva Khanate, and is a veritable cultural relic museum. Among the many buildings, the most famous one is Kushina Fort, which was built in the 12th century AD. In the 17th century during the Khiva Khanate period, the Khan expanded it and used it as his own bedroom. Now, the buildings in the palace are used as the Khwarezm History Museum, and the auditorium, mint and prison have also been built into exhibition halls for tourists to visit. This is a great place to understand and experience the history and culture of Uzbekistan. It is worth a visit.

This time, we will introduce Khiva in Uzbekistan🇺🇿. Even today, people still live within the city walls, and the entire Ichan Kala is registered as the first World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan. It was the capital of the Khiva Khanate, which existed from the 16th to 20th centuries, and is affectionately known as the "Holy City." The best season to visit Uzbekistan is June to September. Why not visit? ? ⏰24 hours You can enter Ichan Kala at any time 🚗About 2km from Khiva Station (no buses available) 🚃Use the Uzbekistan Railway to travel between cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara. 💰The highlights (numerous mosques and madrasas within the inner walls) can be seen with a combined admission ticket of 200,000 soums, so you can be sure to see everything in half a day🙆♀️ (Some attractions incur additional fees.) ⚠️It's hot in the summer, so souvenir shops and other places become busier from 8pm. #0yentravel