Khiva

Khiva is a historic city located in the Khorezm region of northwestern Uzbekistan, near the Amu Darya River and close to the border with Turkmenistan. It is best known for its well-preserved inner town, Itchan Kala, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The city served as the capital of the Khiva Khanate from the 16th century until its annexation by the Russian Empire in the late 19th century. Khiva’s history, however, stretches back much further, with records suggesting settlement in the area as early as the 6th century CE.
Itchan Kala is surrounded by imposing mud-brick walls that enclose a dense collection of mosques, madrasahs, mausoleums, and palaces. Notable landmarks include the Kalta Minor Minaret, known for its distinctive turquoise tiles and truncated structure, and the 19th-century Tash Khauli Palace, which features elaborately decorated courtyards and reception halls. The Juma Mosque, originally founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 18th century, is notable for its 218 wooden columns, some dating back to the 10th–12th centuries.
Nowadays, Khiva is a prominent destination for cultural tourism in Uzbekistan, offering a unique glimpse into Central Asian architectural and historical heritage within a compact and accessible setting.
How to get to Khiva
The closest airport is the one in Urgench. Khiva can also be reached by train from Bukhara.
Accommodation
Khiva has countless hotels, bookable via international hotel booking portals.