Along with Samarkand, Bukhara is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Asia. The town is fairly small and you can expect to see most of the main sites in the city in two full days. The attractions are close together and the old city is easily walkable.
Getting to Bukhara from Samarkand or Tashkent is easy on the train. (Read more about getting around Uzbekistan.) From Samarkand the fast “Afrosiyab” trains complete the journey in about two hours and cost 70,000 Uzbek Som. The train station is quite far out of town, and a taxi to the main town should cost around 10,000 Uzbek Som.
The Ark
The Ark, in this case, is not a religiously significant box being hunted down by Indiana Jones. Rather, it is a large fort located in the centre of town. It was from this fortress that the Emirs of Bukhara governed. Cost to get in is 30,000 Uzbek Som. Due to the high walls, the fortress does not offer as much of a vantage point as you might expect from staring up at it from street level. There are an interesting collection of small museums inside that you can explore for no additional fee. The mosque of the fortress contains old texts and an explanation of the various features of a typical mosque. At least an hour can be spent on top of this imposing structure, going through the various rooms.
Kalan Mosque and Minaret
Located about 300 metres to the left and down the road from the Ark, this complex is the most photogenic in Bukhara. The minaret dates back to the 12th Century and has been extensively restored. This does not make it any less impressive. If you want a good view of the minaret there is a cafe across the square with a rooftop balcony offering amazing elevated views of the square and minaret – a great place to stop for a reasonably priced lunch.
Walking around the New Old City
Much of the “old” city streets have been redone in the style of the main tourist streets in Samarkand. For those looking for an “authentic” vibe this can be a little off putting. Still, the main streets south of the Ulugbek Madrassa, near the bazaars, offer up some photogenic scenes. It can be nice to spend a few hours browsing souvenirs and taking in the atmosphere. Most of the tourists in town will be in this area. There are some nice cafes to sit down in, and it is all very well done.
