My favorite city so far…

If Samarkand is the "heart" of Uzbekistan and Khiva is a desert fairytale, then Bukhara is a living page from *One Thousand and One Nights*. This ancient city on the Silk Road, with its earthen-yellow buildings, echoes under domes, and sun-drenched mulberry trees, showed me the true essence of Central Asia. Don't miss these experiences in Bukhara! 1️⃣ Lyabi-Hauz Complex: Step through the turquoise and blue patterned archways and feel like you've fallen into the Middle Ages. I recommend visiting after 4 PM, when the light slants across the glazed tiles, making each geometric pattern glow. 2️⃣ Statue of Nasreddin Hodja: The people of Bukhara insist that the witty Nasreddin was born here! By the pool in the old city stands a bronze statue of him riding his donkey, his mustache perked up. Locals passing by touch the donkey's head for good luck, and I secretly tried it too—after all, who couldn't use a bit of humorous good fortune? 3️⃣ Chor Minor Madrasah: Its Uzbek name, "Chor Minor," literally translates to "four towers." From afar, it looks like four stout pillars topped with blue hats, a blend of Indian and Central Asian styles. Even better, climb the narrow stairs to the second-floor platform for a bird's-eye view of the old city's rooftops. 4️⃣ Kalyan Mosque + Minaret: The 47-meter-high Kalyan Minaret was so impressive that even Genghis Khan couldn't bring himself to destroy it. Standing at the base and looking up, the layers of bricks form star-like patterns, inspiring awe and a touch of vertigo. The adjacent Kalyan Mosque is surprisingly vast, with 212 columns supporting a shaded expanse, perfect for quiet contemplation and listening to the wind swirl around the dome. 5️⃣ Ark of Bukhara: This citadel, built on ruins, was once the center of power for the Emirate of Bukhara. I recommend visiting before sunset! Walk along the walls to the west side, and watch the entire old city glow honey-colored in the twilight, the silhouettes of the minarets like needles stopping time. The ethnographic museum inside displays wedding dresses and musical instruments, but the most captivating thing is always the breeze that sweeps across the terrace. 6️⃣ Bolo Haouz Mosque: Tucked away on the edge of the old city, it's easy to miss, but the towering wooden pillars are worth seeing—craftsmen from 800 years ago carved spiral patterns from whole tree trunks. There's a small window in the side hall; when the midday sun shines through, dust dances in the beam, blurring the lines between past and present. 🏨 Stay in History: Mercure Bukhara Old City I stayed in a hotel in the heart of the old city, converted from a 19th-century caravanserai. The Persian-style pool in the central courtyard, carved wooden beams, and vintage chandeliers perfectly balance history and comfort. The rooftop breakfast was an even bigger surprise. While munching on naan and sipping salty milk tea, I could turn my head and see the spire of the Kalyan Minaret—this is the right way to experience Bukhara!