From Wikitravel

Khiva is in Uzbekistan. It is one of the Silk Road cities. It is located in north of Uzbekistanm, in Khorezm region. Khiva is about 2500 years old with population of 40,000 people. The main attraction is Khiva is Ichon-Qala - the old part of the city. Since 1967 Soviet Union announced it as town-reserve, since that time it is like a open-air museum, it is not used for living. In 1990 Ichon-Qala was recognized by UNESCO as heritage of world significance.

[edit] Get in

Khiva is quite far away from other two Ancient cities - Samarkand and Bukhara (about 450 km from Bukhara). Usually people travel first to Urgench (capital Khorezm region) and then take a taxi to Khiva. Taxi cost should be around 3000-5000 sum (2.20-3.5$) per person. Easiest way getting to Urgench is by train or by plane. Plane ticket from Tashkent costs around 105000 sum (as of July 2008), train ticket depends on class - first class it is 41000 sum, second class 25000 sum and third class 16000 sum. Taking first or second class should be considered, as trip takes around 19 hours. It is possible to get there by bus or by taxi, but it is less comfortable, as roads are not of good quality.

[edit] Get around

Taxi should take you to the gate to Ichon-Qala and this part is not big, you can easily see it all on foot. Getting around in new city is same as it is usual in Uzbekistan - just stopping a taxi.

[edit][add listing] See

And west gate entrance of Ichon-Qala you'll be suggested to buy a ticket for all museums inside for 10000 sum (7.5$). However, this doesn't include ticket to the highest minaret (nice panorama of whole city for 1000 sum) and oldest mosque inside city.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are many souvenir vendors in Khiva and they all will want to sell something to you, trying to attract your attention with some knowledge of English. Souvenirs might be more expensive than in Samarkand and Bukhara, but you can bargain quite a lot and get some very good deals. A good place to buy is the UNESCO-sponsored silk workshop in Qqozi Kalon Medressa. It sells unique silk handcrafts. Although they might be more expensive than in other places, you suppport the workers there directly.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

As in whole Uzbekistan please buy only bottled water. Carefully check bottom of the bottle for any deposits otherwise you can buy counterfeit bottled water.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

You can stay in one of the numerous hotels inside sand castle (not cheapest way) or you may choose to stay outside castle. There's popular place for bus drivers called "Sabir Arkanchi" which 200 m from North Gate of the castle. You can disguise yourself as guide and spend about 7000 sum (5$) per night (breakfast included).

[edit] Stay safe

Generally Khiva is safe place so just use common sence. Guard your belongings as you would do in any other touristy place. In Khiva water from tap is not safe so be sure not to drink it and not to drink any drinks with ice cubes.

[edit] Get out

Nukus - capital of Qarakalpakistan.

Urgench - capital of Khorezm (nothing to see there really, but you can get taxis from there to other cities or go somewhere by train).

Bukhara - another silk road city.

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