Khiva is an ancient oasis city located in northwestern Uzbekistan, near the border with Turkmenistan. Renowned as a living museum, it was the historic capital of the Khiva Khanate and stands as one of the best-preserved Silk Road cities in Central Asia. The heart of Khiva is Itchan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage inner city enclosed by massive mud-brick walls. Stepping inside feels like entering a fairytale, with highlights such as the squat, brightly tiled Kalta Minor Minaret, the ornate Tash Khauli Palace, the towering Islam Khodja Minaret, and the ancient Juma Mosque with its carved wooden pillars. Khiva offers travelers a breathtaking journey into authentic medieval architecture, desert trade history, and peaceful evening wanderings through narrow stone alleyways.
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