Things to do in Bukhara

The Ark of Bukhara is one of the most unmissable historical sites in the city. In the hot days of the summer, this impressive structure is at the peak of its magnificence, emanating an aura from the ancient days when it was a prominent fortress, equipped with cannons, high walls and observation towers that survived the test of time until this day. The interiors of the Ark are accessible with an entrance fee, while the exteriors of the site have good photo and sightseeing spots free of charge.

I visited Sitora-I-Moh-I today as it was not far from my hotel. I’m really glad I visited what a stunning Palace! If you are interested in Architecture and applied arts then you will by amazed at the artefacts in the Palace. The walls are hand painted and tiled in the most beautiful designs. There is a very comprehensive costume museum inside the palace with a variety of coats, books, shoes, belts and hats from the ladies of the Harem and the Emir Alim Khan himself! I didn’t expect such a large collection of artefacts of such supreme museum quality. The tiles and the embroideries were exquisite. The surroundings were beautiful and restoration work was going on during my visit so I was not able to see some of the Palace. I thought the entry fee of 60000 was a real bargain for the Quality of the collection. The Palace is in need of restoration as some of its interiors and exteriors are needing to be painted. I hope that visits will contribute to the funds necessary to update the Palace so more people can enjoy it.

An interesting place to see in Bukhara, with very unique architecture. You can pay to go up, but in my opinion it's not worth it. It's prettier from the outside.

It is rare that a 1100-year-old building has been well maintained and preserved. Stone buildings are reliable. The tricycles soliciting customers beside the square are exactly the same as those in China. The overall price here is not expensive, so you can spend money with confidence.

Ismail Samani Mausoleum (Samanian Royal Mausoleum, Ismail Samani Mausoleum) It is the oldest and best-preserved Islamic mausoleum in Central Asia and a World Heritage Site. Built in the 9th–10th centuries AD (completed around 905 AD), it is the final resting place of Ismail Samani, the founder of the Samanid dynasty, along with his father and grandson—a total of three members of the royal family. • The entire structure is built solely of fired brick, without glazed tiles or painted decorations. It relies on over 20 different bricklaying techniques to create three-dimensional geometric patterns. The interplay of light and shadow on the brickwork changes with the angle of sunlight, representing the pinnacle of early Islamic brick architecture. • Design: A cubic base with a massive central hemispherical dome, flanked by four smaller domes at the corners; perfectly symmetrical on all four sides, with no distinct front or back. The cube represents the earth, and the dome represents the heavens, blending the Zoroastrian concept of a round heaven and a square earth with Islamic architectural aesthetics. • There is a story: During the Mongol westward expansion, the locals voluntarily covered the entire cemetery with earth, thus escaping destruction by Genghis Khan's army. It wasn't until archaeological excavations during the Soviet era that it saw the light of day again; it is the only surviving structure from the Samanid dynasty. • Location: Within Bukhara City Park; legend says that walking around the tomb three times will bring good luck. Many books about the dynasty are sold nearby. The Story of the Samanid Dynasty (819–999 AD) The Samanid dynasty was a period of Persian cultural revival, which the Tajiks consider their golden age. 1. Origins The ancestor, Saman al-Huda, was originally a Persian Zoroastrian nobleman who later converted to Islam. To reward his family, the Abbasid Caliph granted several cities in Central Asia to Saman's four grandsons, including Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana, and Tashkent, all within his sphere of influence. 2. The Reign of Timur: Ismail Samani He established Bukhara as the capital, unified Transoxiana (including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), and expanded westward to Khorasan, Iran. • A powerful nation flourished, and Silk Road trade prospered; • He vigorously promoted Persian culture, bringing Persian back into the mainstream of Central Asia, leading to the translation of numerous classic texts and a boom in literature; • He encouraged science, astronomy, and medicine, ushering in a golden age of culture in Central Asia. In short: Before Timur, the Samanid dynasty was the dominant power in Central Asia. Samarkand was then part of Samanid territory, but the capital was Bukhara. 3. The End of the Dynasty In 999, the Karakhanid dynasty from the east invaded, captured Bukhara, and the Samanid dynasty collapsed. After the fall of the Samanid dynasty, power in Central Asia changed hands several times before Timur rose to power centuries later, establishing his capital in Samarkand.

Bukhara features a rare Khwarez-style conical double-dome design. Legend has it that during a severe drought, Job struck the ground with his staff, and springs of water gushed forth, saving the entire city. Inside is a water management museum, with historical records on the walls detailing the gradual disappearance of the Aral Sea. Once the world's fourth largest lake, the Aral Sea suffered a dramatic decline in water flow from two rivers after the 1960s due to the Soviet Union's large-scale cotton planting and irrigation projects. This led to a continuous drop in the sea level and shrinkage of the lake. In 1987, the Aral Sea split into northern and southern parts. By 2014, the eastern part of the southern Aral Sea had completely dried up, turning the lakebed into a desert and triggering serious environmental and social problems such as salt dust storms, ecological degradation, and the collapse of fisheries. The disappearance of the Aral Sea is a major ecological disaster caused by excessive water use and a classic lesson in the irrational development of water resources.