Travel silk fabric or admire architectural highlights such as Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, Ulugbek and Abdul Aziz Khan Medressas, Kalon Minaret (the tallest in Central Asia), and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Perhaps the best is saved for last. Among the cities of the world, one of the most ancient is Samarkand, whose history dates back 2500 years. It is arguably one of the most glorious and beautiful cities in Central Asia - perhaps one of the greatest Islamic cities of all time. Samarkand, an important center of power throughout its history, was home to Timur the Great (known as “Tamerlane� in English) - a fourteenth-century conqueror of Western, South and Central Asia. The glory of this time is best depicted in Registan, the medieval commercial center of the city. Three majestic medressas (Ulugbek, Sher Don, and Tilla Kari) encircle a well-designed public square. Samarkand is a treasure trove of stunning architecture. Shah-I-Zinda Ensemble, also referred to as Avenue of Mausoleums, is lined on either side with the mausoleums of the Timur period. They form a fantastic spectacle of majolica (colorful ceramic) barricades and tile mosaics. The facing of the portals is done with blocks of superbly carved glazed terracotta in combination with majolica. The walls of the Bibi-khanum Mosque are faced with polished brick, which serve as a backdrop for the blue enameled bricks used for a large geometrical decorative pattern. Such monumental ornamentation is characteristic of the buildings constructed for Timur. Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is over 2000 years old. Now, it is a modern metropolis, and after your journey through the land of Khanates, it probably feels like New York or London. The city of 2.3 million people is surprisingly green, thanks to its beautifully laidout parks and glistening fountains. The history and sites of Uzbekistan, which sound like chapters from One Thousand and One Nights, are what lures travelers looking for a truly exotic trip. Chang Theng Hwee is the Director of Country Holidays Travel. To find out more about travel around Asia and China, visit www.countryholidays.com.cn
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AP RIL 2012 / THE NINGB O G UIDE
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