Khiva

Within its mud-brick fortress walls, the little slave trader village of Khiva epitomizes the greatest of Central Asian architecture. Khiva remained out of reach for Russian colonial soldiers in the 19th century due to its isolated location in the Kyzylkum desert, ensuring that it was well-preserved.

The Kalta Minor minaret, which dates from the 19th century, was designed to challenge Bukhara's Kalan minaret. It remains unfinished, however, because the architect fled for fear of being assassinated by the khan. The pattern-glazed tiles in sparkling turquoise, white, and yellow make the minaret worth visiting more than the shape.

Khiva is a small city (population 90,000), thus it's worth researching deeper. The finest side excursion is to Khwarezm's desert fortresses: magnificent, lonely remains rising from the desolate floor, they were once prosperous settlements until the Amu Darya river's flow shifted, leaving them parched and lifeless.

City: Khiva