Is this Central Asia’s best-preserved medieval settlement? See Khiva in pictures

Is this Central Asia’s best-preserved medieval settlement? See Khiva in pictures

October 25, 2025 / Cosmopolitan Canada /


This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

The rhythmic sound of chisel meeting wood has echoed through Khiva’s streets for centuries. Artisans carefully carve ornate motifs into traditional wooden columns, like the kind that support palaces and mosques across Uzbekistan. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

A close-up shot of an old wooden table, where a selection of carving tools is neatly laid out and illuminated by the sun.

The Khiva school of woodcarving is renowned for its multi-layered islimi patterns, where stems and leaves interlace. The craft endures through generations of wood-workers passing on their knowledge, keeping Khiva’s decorative heritage alive. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

The entrance to a stone building with wooden logs and columns leaning against two of the three tall wooden doors.

Local woods like walnut, apricot, elm and mulberry are soaked and seasoned to make them easier to work with. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

(Read our guide to Khiva: when to visit, where to stay, and what to do)

A mystical aerial shot of a flat-roofed, medieval city in the morning glow.

Today, within Khiva’s walled town (known as Itchan Kala), workshops serve as living schools; apprentices learn design, perforation, carving and finishing. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

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A local woman in a tiles kitchen corner fishing out puffed up bread from a frying station.

Food in Khiva is a reflection of the city’s layered history, blending the ingredients and flavours carried along the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

A wide perspective from the inside of a street food stall with a young man waiting for bread to finish in a tandoor oven as a boy customer waits in the stall window.

At street stalls, fresh non bread, an essential part of Uzbek dining culture, emerges hot and golden from tandoors. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

A pair of hands holding up a big, donut-like pastry with a flaky and sesame-sprinkled crust into the sunlight .

Fried pastries known as chebureki — a snack that’s often filled with meat, cheese or potatoes — are also popular. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

The interiors of a traditional tea house, with a textile-covered bench, cushions, mosaic lamps and a zig-zag tapestry on the wall.

The warmth and care put into cooking is complemented by the bright textiles that decorate local restaurants and chaikanas (tea houses), too, showcasing patterns rooted in regional identity. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

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A portrait of a local man dressed in a silk tunic and rounded hat on the crown of his head, walking through the cobble-stoned streets of Khiva, carrying old books.

Dressed in traditional clothes, actors keep the Silk Road’s spirit alive through performances inspired by Khiva’s legacy of music, poetry and learning. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

A late afternoon shot of an intersection in a low and flat-roofed medieval city with three visitors strolling around.

Once a major Islamic centre and home to over 60 religious monuments, the city is still revered for its mosques and madrasas (schools), including the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

A wide shot taken in a traditional shop selling mosaic lanterns.

Nearby, mosaic lamps are another example of the city’s craftsmanship, casting light on tales of mystics, merchants and scholars. Photograph by Lorenz Berna

(Discover other destinations from National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026)

Published in the November 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

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I'm a contributing writer at Cosmopolitan Canada, where I dive into the stories that matter most to modern women — from beauty and wellness to relationships, identity, and personal growth. I’m passionate about exploring the nuances of culture, self-expression, and what it means to live boldly in today’s world. Whether I’m interviewing inspiring voices, breaking down the latest trends, or writing from personal experience, my goal is always the same: to spark real conversation and empower readers to embrace who they are unapologetically.

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