TRAVEL GUIDE TO KHIVA, UZBEKISTAN 2023

Oh, Khiva! Imagine arriving at an oasis in the desert. The aroma of bread baking in clay ovens mixes with the scent of the earth as you enter a walled city made of mud and straw.

A local woman is stamping flatbread with Zoroastrian symbols and placing them into a basket.

Another woman is sweeping the dusty streets, she slowly smiles as she looks up at you with a golden grin, and the particles from the broom dance in the early morning light. A hunched old man wearing a skullcap walks by humming a tune, while the steam rises from the first pot of tea inside the doorway of a tiny home.

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Khiva is the crown jewel of the Khorezm Region of Uzbekistan and the Silk Road. Take a step back in time as you walk through the cobblestone streets, stare up in amazement at the minarets bedazzled in turquoise and emerald tiles, or climb up the tight dark stairways to the top for unforgettable views.

History of Khiva, Uzbekistan

Local legends claim Khiva to be 2500 years old, when one of the sons of Noah (yes, the guy from the bible with the ark), Shem, dug a well. The water that sprang from the well had a sweet taste. People that drank it would exclaim “Khey vakh!” which roughly translates to “what a pleasure”. Archaeological evidence dates the city back to the 6th century.

Khiva is a significant city in Islam, containing over 90 mosques and 60 madrassas, the first of which were built within proximity to the well. Being sandwiched between the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts it became an important trading post and stopover for caravans crossing on their way to Iran or Bukhara along the Great Silk Road.

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Khiva is the former capital of Khwarezmia, a kingdom that was once a part of Greater Iran. Nearby Gurganj (now known as Urgench) is where Genghis Khan began his Mongol conquest of the Islamic world in the 13th century.

Years later the capital was shifted to Khiva and ruled by the descendants of Genghis Khan, operating as the Khanate of Khiva from 1511 until 1920.

Khiva was at one time the largest slave market in Central Asia. Marauding Turkmen tribesmen and nomadic Kazakhs from the steppes captured unlucky caravan traders and sold them as slaves. Most of the slaves were Kurds or Persians, but Russian sailors shipwrecked on the shores of the Caspian Sea often ended up in the slave markets as well.

Russians becoming slaves eventually inspired the Russian conquest of the region. The Khanate fell to Soviet power in the 1920s and became part of the USSR. It became independent in 1991 when Uzbekistan was created.

Is Khiva Worth Visiting?

Yes! Sure it’s more touristy than you’d expect, but the architecture, tilework, and unique attractions make it worth a visit on any Uzbekistan itinerary.

What to Know Before You Visit Khiva

The city is split into two parts: the Dichan Kala or outer town (where most of Khiva’s residents live) and the Itchan Kala, the historic inner town that resembles a life-sized sandcastle. The Itchan Kala is where most of Khiva’s main attractions can be found, and was the first place in Uzbekistan to gain status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

It can be very crowded on the weekends. For now, it’s mostly filled with national tourists or people from other Stan countries, but this will likely change in the not-so-distant future.

The inner walls of Itchan Kala are best at sunrise before all the vendors set up and the masses flood into the area. After that, it starts to feel more like a Disneyland theme park.

We highly recommend taking a quiet morning stroll on your own. If it’s a sunny day, the warm light that hits the sand-colored walls makes for the best photos! You should also wander around at night to enjoy the starry skies above!

How Many Days Are Enough for Khiva?

1-2 days. Being that it’s much smaller than Samarkand or Bukhara you can walk the whole inner town in a day, but staying for at least one night is recommended. This gives you the chance to walk around the Itchan Kala on two separate days and explore everything at a more relaxed pace.

Read Next: Samarkand Crossroad of Cultures

Buying Tickets to the Itchan Kala & Hours

Technically you don’t need a ticket to enter the Itchan Kala which is open 24/7, but you’ll still need a ticket if you want access to the museums, minarets, and madrassas. Which are open from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily.

The VIP ticket is the best deal if you want to go up in the minarets or see a sunset from the top of the watchtower. Note that the Pakhlavan Makhmoud Mausoleum is not in the original ticket price, but is pretty stunning and worth entering. At the time we visited, the entrance fee was 10k som ($1.20).

Best Things to Do in Khiva

Wander the Itchan Kala

The Itchan Kala was the site of the Khan’s palaces and where the mullahs, clergy, and wealthy merchants used to live. Most of the sites in Khiva are located inside this area. Wandering through this ancient mud-walled town and taking photos was one of the highlights of our visit to Uzbekistan!

Walk Along the Ancient City Walls in Khiva

Climb the walls for a majestic view over the inner city, especially at sunrise or sunset. Many portions of the wall have been destroyed, but there are still some sections that remain. You can easily access the walls near the north gate.

Appreciate the Details of the Tash Khauli Palace

Translating to ‘Stone Palace’, the Khans of Khiva built this complex as a second royal residence on the east side of town. From the outside, it appears to be a fortress, but inside, its courtyards are ornately decorated.

The four queens and the royal concubines were once housed here inside the harem. You can also have a look into the Khan’s former bedroom. Often skipped over because it’s kind of hidden, make a point of finding this one.

Watch the Sunset From the Watchtower in the Kuhna Ark

Located inside the Kuhna Ark, it’s a popular place to watch the sun go down. It’s just incredible to watch the orange glow swallow the city. It’s also one of the best places to shoot photos because of its lofty vantage point. Just don’t expect to be alone up there.

Visit the Squat Turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret

This short and stumpy, powder blue-tiled minaret was envisioned by Mohammed Amin Khan and started in 1851. The story goes that he wanted to build a minaret high enough that he could see all the way to Bukhara.

Unfortunately, he dropped dead unexpectedly in 1855, so it was never finished. It now stands as the largest incomplete minaret in the world.

Another story states that Mohammed Khan threatened to kill the architect of his minaret because he didn’t want another to be built like it. As a result, the architect fled for his life, leaving the partly-built minaret. Whichever story is true, it’s a special sight to behold.

Reach the Top of Islam Khoja Minaret

Standing at 57m (187 ft) this is the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Go up to the top for a sweeping panoramic view over Khiva. Prepare yourself for a little claustrophobia on the way up!

Admire the Woodwork at Juma Mosque

This mosque is no longer in use, but it’s worthwhile to go in and weave your way through its 218 wooden pillars. The current building is mostly a restoration from the 18th century, but a few of the pillars date from the original 10th-century construction, can you find them?

Afterward, climb up the leaning minaret for another view over the old town.

Pakhlavan Makhmoud Mausoleum

The mausoleum of Khiva’s patron saint, both a famous poet and wrestling champ, is a highlight of the Itchan Kala. Step inside to admire the glazed blue tilework that adorns these walls and is so emblematic of any trip to Khiva.

During our visit, a man was reciting Muslim prayers that were echoing throughout the dome in the most hauntingly beautiful way. Bring a tripod and a wide-angle lens if you’re keen on photographing this magnificent building.

Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop

A former British expat started this UNESCO fair trade shop. Local women now run the workshop, famous for making handwoven pillowcases, suzanis, scarves, and silk carpets. It’s located in a converted madrassa with an open-air courtyard.

Upon walking inside you’re hit with an array of colorful designs hanging from the benches and walls. Detailed tile work, carvings from wood doors, and ancient miniature art are the inspirations for the patterns.

The silks are all dyed naturally using plants, fruit skins, minerals, and insects. It can take three women up to three months to complete one carpet because it’s all handmade, tied knot by knot. We would have loved to buy every pillowcase and silk rug in the courtyard if only we had a house to put them in and thousands more dollars to spend.

A Carpet Ride to Khiva is a fantastic book written by the same British expat who started the Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop. It’s an addictive read that goes through his personal experiences in the country, explains many aspects of life in Central Asia, and provides a glimpse into Uzbek culture.

It’s the perfect read for anyone who plans on going to Khiva.

How Do You Get to Khiva?

A quick flight, train ride, or shared taxi can get you to Khiva.

Understand that the airport and main train station for Khiva are located in Urgench, a larger city located about 30 minutes away by taxi.

By Air

If you’re in a hurry, flying is a good choice. Daily flights are connecting Tashkent with Urgench. You can find one-way flights on Uzbekistan Airways for ($50-100) and it will take an hour and a half. On a side note, we learned that Uzbekistan Airways has now started direct flights to Urgench from both Paris and Rome!

By Train

Is There a Fast Train to Khiva?

There is no Afrosiyob (bullet train) service to Khiva.

Three options exist for train travel to and from Khiva: the Soviet Sharq train (connecting all major cities) and the night train (running across the country) both arrive and depart in Urgench. There is also a new passenger train going direct between Khiva and Bukhara. However, this train doesn’t run daily. So check the schedule and plan ahead.

To and from Bukhara: We took the new passenger train from Bukhara directly to Khiva. Our tickets cost around 100k som ($8-10) each and the journey took 6 hours.

To and from Tashkent: Khiva is only linked to Tashkent via the night train from Urgench. It takes around 16 hours and there are four different options in price, comfort, and privacy. The SV/Lyux is a 2-berth wagon, kupe is a 4-berth wagon, platzkart is an open wagon, and obshye is just a seat.

We took the platzkart option to Tashkent which cost us 185k som each ($16) and it was comfortable enough. You are provided with a pillow, sheets, and a thick blanket. Aside from the toilets, it was clean.

We recommend that you bring your own food, there is hot water for tea and instant noodles. But we didn’t end up eating much of our food because of the hospitality we received from the Uzbek people. They were insistent on feeding us. A memorable experience we won’t forget!

You can book tickets online through the Uzbek Railways website.

For more in-depth train info see this Advantour page.

By Taxi

Shared taxis to or from Bukhara to Khiva are best booked through your accommodation. The advantage of the shared taxi is that you can be picked up and dropped off directly from/at your hotel.

You can also arrange to stop at some of the other archaeological sites and Khorezm fortresses at an additional cost. Alternatively, there are tours available such as this one to Toprak Kala.

The disadvantage is that it is less comfortable than the train. It will cost a bit more too. The shared taxi between Bukhara and Khiva will take 6-7 hours and cost around 150,000 som ($13-15).

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Getting Around in Khiva

As for getting around Khiva, it’s a very walkable city. Most of the main sites are within the walls of the Itchan Kala. If you need to catch a taxi to another part of town, the best place to do that is by any of the gates.

Money & ATM’s in Khiva

Like everywhere else in Uzbekistan it’s best to arrive with cash in USD, preferably clean and crisp hundred dollar bills. At the time of writing, there are two ATMs in Khiva that accept Mastercard. They are located inside the Arkanchi Hotel and Hotel Asia. There are two that accept Visa, but they’re often out of order.

Where to Stay in Khiva?

All of these places have great locations in or nearby the inner walls of the Itchan Kala (Old City).

• Budget: Khiva Hostel 9.5/10
• Mid-range: Meros B&B 9.4/10
• High End: Orient Star Khiva Hotel 8.8/10

Where to Eat in Khiva?

Khorezm Art Cafe

The service is fast and friendly. We enjoyed their vegetarian options. Try the pumpkin manti or vegetarian plov! We think the prices are reasonable overall. They also tend to have singers or live music in the evening. Go early before the tour groups show up.

Yasavul Boshi

A large dining room inside of a converted madrassa. We had the mixed dumpling platter and pumpkin soup. Their shivit oshi isn’t bad either.

Terrassa Cafe

This place is a bit touristy and therefore the prices are higher, but you really can’t beat the view from the terrace. They serve delicious coffee, shashlik, and tuhum barak. Make sure to get there early, this place fills up fast.

You can also wander outside of the old city walls to find a local restaurant in the greater Khiva area.

Khiva Photography Gear List

Heading Back to Tashkent? Read: Tashkent Things to Do and Travel Tips 2023

Top Rated Tours in Khiva

• Khiva Day Tour
• Discover the Aral Sea From Khiva

Conclusion

Don’t miss out on Khiva! It’s a long way to get there and because of that some people skip it altogether, but in our eyes, you should definitely make the journey. Walking through the Itchan Kala of Khiva feels like you’ve stumbled upon an old film set.

The concentration of Islamic architecture and the contrasting color palette of sand, turquoise, and indigo is something you’re unlikely to experience anywhere else.

Hope this Khiva travel guide will inspire you to visit this one-of-a-kind city!

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