Posts Tagged ancient silk road
Central Asia Travel Destinations: Turkmenistan
This largely arid country lies to the south of Uzbekistan, dominated by the Kara Kum desert in its center with mountains in the west and east. The country contains some of the world’s largest natural gas and oil reserves and is a major cotton producer.
Historically, Turkmenistan has seen conquerors from Alexander the Great to Islamic Arabs to Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, but maintained its nomadic, equine identity until Soviet-era domination. In the post communist years, Turkmen language and culture have made a strong revival.
The Turkmen people are legendary horsemen and their tall, powerful horses were prized by the Chinese in ancient times. The national handicraft is carpet making and Turkmen carpets are prized throughout the world for their beautiful patterns and superb craftsmanship. An extension of the nomadic lifestyle of the people, carpets were
For tourists, Turkmenistan is garden of archaeological delights. Remnants of civilizations that have been swallowed by the centuries are everywhere to be found. In mountain foothills, in dry riverbeds, in caves across the country you can find tools, domestic utensils and artworks of bone, stone, ceramics and metals. Ruins of earthen houses and mountain fortresses remain from as long as 50 centuries ago.
A visit to Turkmenistan must include a stay in the ancient Silk Road city of Merv. It is an archaeological wonderland, being actually 4 cities built during different periods, a testimony to the oasis’ staying power as a major center along the Silk Road from the times of Alexander. It remained a commercial and cultural power for centuries before Mongol armies destroyed the town in 1221. One of its most imposing features today is the mausoleum of Sanjar the Great, the dome of which could be seen by caravans a full day’s journey away.
A day trip from Merv to the archaeological dig at Margush, where remnants of a Bronze Age civilization lived 3500 years ago. A palace, intricate fire temple and necropolis have been excavated and local museums contain numerous artifacts of gold and semi-precious stones.
Turkmenistan’s capital is the city of Ashgabat, rebuilt using modern principles of city planning after being destroyed by an massive earthquake in 1948. Lush parks and hundreds of fountains create a pleasant microclimate that shields the city from the desert heat. All public buildings and apartments are clad in white marble, giving the city a unified beauty. The National Museum houses many culturally significant antiquities, and the Turkmen Carpet Museum contains many fine examples of world-renowned Turkmen carpet making skills, including one that covers a massive 294 square meters.
In the west near the Uzbekistan border, lies another stop along the Silk Road, Kunya-Urgench, site of the large State Historical and Cultural Museum-Preserve. The famous Kulug-Timur Minaret is thought to be the tallest in Central Asia, towering nearly 200 feet. Another must-see is the Turabeg Khanym Mausoleum, with its double cupola and perfectly preserved interior tile work is considered one of Asia’s most outstanding constructions.
Of Turkmenistan’s natural wonders, the Caspian Sea provides recreational facilities for boaters and water sports enthusiasts.
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Central Asia Travel Destinations: Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan lies at the heart of the Great Silk Road. For centuries, oases of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva brought respite to the caravans as they made their way across the desert. A tour through this country immerses you in the essence of the progress of civilization as it moved west.
Today, Uzbekistan preserves this heritage while striving to bring its largely rural, historically nomadic populations better lives in a post-Soviet world. Slightly larger in area than California and with a population of 26 million, Uzbekistan contains more than half of Central Asia’s people.
Known as the ’sunny republic,’ Uzbekistan is arid with annual rainfall between only 4 and 8 inches. But its heavily irrigated river valleys make it the second largest cotton exporter in the world. It also contains important mineral resources and is a world leader in gold production.
Historically, Uzbekistan is exceedingly rich, making it a truly great tourist destination. More than 4,000 historic sites dot the country, and thus its stature as the pearl of the ancient Silk Road. Civilization was already ancient here when Alexander the Great conquered the region in the 4th Century BC. Up until the discovery of ocean routes to India and China, Uzbekistan lay at the crossroads of communication between East and West and was the center of trade and exchange of ideas.
The conqueror Tamerlane (1336-1405) was born near present day Shahrisabz and created an empire that extended throughout Central Asia to Turkey and south to the Ganges. Tamerlane was also a patron of the arts and transformed Samarkand into a magnificent capital for his empire. Importing artisans from conquered territories, He and later rulers commissioned majestic buildings many of which still stand.
Central among them is the Registan, which was the heart of the city. Madrasahs or Muslim religious academies face three sides of the square, giving, one built by Tamerlane’s grandson who also built an observatory which he used to advance the science of astronomy during his reign.
Another legendary city is Bukhara, lying to the west. Another oases for Silk Road caravans, Bukhara became one of the great learning centers in the Muslim world and spawned the mystical Sufi sect of Islam. The city today still contains 350 mosques and supports more than 100 religious academies. With narrow streets, many parks and gardens, numerous historical sites and lively bazaars, a visit to this ancient city will satisfy a diverse range of interests. Travel here and you are sure to find something that resonates with your spirit.
Further west still, you come to a museum under the blue sky, Khiva. A city reputed to have been founded by Shem, one of the Biblical Noah’s sons, Khiva has preserved its ancient past and been turned into a living record of its days as a key center of trade along the Silk Road. The historic center of the city contains spectacular examples of Islamic architecture. Palaces, minarets and mausoleums from centuries ago have been preserved and refurbished making Khiva a lens through which you can gaze into history.
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