Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is located at the very heart of Central Asia and in ancient times was a key link on the Silk Road connecting China with Western Europe. The legendary cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva were powerful states, important trade centres where architecture and the arts were highly developed.

Uzbekistan's golden age was under Tamerlaine in the 14th century AD. Ruling an empire stretching from Turkey to China, he made Samarkand his capital and left a breathtaking architectural legacy including mosques, madrassahs and majestic Registan Square.

Today, the old atmosphere of the Silk Road still survives in the oriental bazaars and tea houses where the many nationalities of Central Asia gather together wearing their traditional and colourful clothes.