{"id":31253,"date":"2021-08-19T14:37:14","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T14:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/?p=31253"},"modified":"2024-06-21T18:21:39","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T18:21:39","slug":"silk-road-tour-spotlight-journey-through-central-asia-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/silk-road-tour-spotlight-journey-through-central-asia-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Silk Road Tour Spotlight: Journey Through Central Asia (video)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800.jpg\" alt=\"A lone shadow amid the ancient architecture of Central Asia. Photo credit: Peter Guttman\" class=\"wp-image-31254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/07930025-Guttman-Central-Asia-800-600x450.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A lone shadow amid the ancient architecture of Central Asia. Photo credit: Peter Guttman<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p>One of MIR\u2019s best-loved and well-known group tours, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/journey-through-central-asia-the-five-stans\/\">Journey Through Central Asia: The 5 \u2018Stans<\/a>, explores a part of the world many know only from fairy tales or history lessons about the Old Silk Road. Dubbed \u201cthe 5 \u2018Stans\u201d \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/kazakhstan\/\">Kazakhstan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/kyrgyzstan\/\">Kyrgyzstan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/tajikistan\/\">Tajikistan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/turkmenistan\/\">Turkmenistan<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/uzbekistan\/\">Uzbekistan<\/a> \u2013 these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/\">Central Asian<\/a> countries linked the great trade routes between Europe and China more than 2,000 years ago. Result: an exotic mix of foreign cultures, customs, architecture and religions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This comprehensive video takes a visual deep dive into what travelers can see, hear, and experience on MIR\u2019s iconic group tour, Journey Through Central Asia: The 5 \u2018Stans:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MIR&#039;s Silk Road Tour:  Journey Through Central Asia\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZeyMx-v2QhM?list=PLLEzYNWcvUkZqewt_vvZ800GMHCoH8VMX\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of the 5 \u2018Stans is unique in its own&nbsp;history, culture and customs.&nbsp;Here are just a few of our&nbsp;favorite things to do and see in each country on&nbsp;MIR\u2019s tour,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/journey-through-central-asia-the-five-stans\/\">Journey Through Central Asia:&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Uzbekistan\">Uzbekistan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Tajikistan\">Tajikistan<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Turkmenistan\">Turkmenistan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cCapital of Apples\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once home to nomads and horses,&nbsp;Kazakhstan is the largest and richest of the 5 \u2018Stans. The country\u2019s former capital, Almaty, is known as the&nbsp;\u201ccapital of apples,\u201d&nbsp;because it\u2019s believed apples first originated here. Today it\u2019s a thriving city nestled into the Tien Shan Mountains.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/KA-2006-JTCA-AF-057-Ana-Filonov-618.jpg\" alt=\"A roadside stand in Almaty displays colorful varieties of Kazakh apples. Photo credit: Ana Filonov\" class=\"wp-image-31268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/KA-2006-JTCA-AF-057-Ana-Filonov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/KA-2006-JTCA-AF-057-Ana-Filonov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/KA-2006-JTCA-AF-057-Ana-Filonov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/KA-2006-JTCA-AF-057-Ana-Filonov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A roadside stand in Almaty displays colorful varieties of Kazakh apples. Photo credit: Ana Filonov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zenkov Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Almaty is famous for its&nbsp;170-foot-tall wooden Zenkov Cathedral&nbsp;\u2013 an explosion of color from czarist times. The Russian Orthodox cathedral was built to withstand&nbsp;earthquakes,&nbsp;using&nbsp;techniques that were innovative and daring at the time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"714\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9322-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-domes-618.jpg\" alt=\"Zenkov Cathedral is an Almaty highlight \u2013 one of a handful of wooden cathedrals in the world. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\" class=\"wp-image-31266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9322-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-domes-618.jpg 714w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9322-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-domes-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9322-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-domes-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9322-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-domes-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 714px) 100vw, 714px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Zenkov Cathedral is an Almaty highlight \u2013 one of a handful of wooden cathedrals in the world. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kazakh Falconry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A falcon farm outside of Almaty is where Kazakhs hunters in traditional costumes demonstrate how these&nbsp;beautiful birds have been used in hunting&nbsp;for centuries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Birds-7-Kazakhstan-Almaty-eagle-hunter-Christine-Z-Anderson-618.jpg\" alt=\"A Kazakh eagle handler offers an up-close look at his hunting companion. Photo credit: Christine Z. Anderson\" class=\"wp-image-31256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Birds-7-Kazakhstan-Almaty-eagle-hunter-Christine-Z-Anderson-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Birds-7-Kazakhstan-Almaty-eagle-hunter-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Birds-7-Kazakhstan-Almaty-eagle-hunter-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Birds-7-Kazakhstan-Almaty-eagle-hunter-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Kazakh eagle handler offers an up-close look at his hunting companion. Photo credit: Christine Z. Anderson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_82b1d44a13472835bd83f863abe473b6-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Interior of Almaty's Zenkov Cathedral, also known as Ascension Cathedral. Photo credit: Richard Fletcher\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Shiny skyscrapers in downtown Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Jered Gorman\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A happy face amid traditional Kazakh musical instruments in Almaty. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_82b1d44a13472835bd83f863abe473b6-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_82b1d44a13472835bd83f863abe473b6-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/FIVE-STANS-PHOTOS-2-of-229-Kazakhstan-Almaty-Zenkov-Cathedral-interior-Bill-Fletcher-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Interior of Almaty's Zenkov Cathedral, also known as Ascension Cathedral. Photo credit: Richard Fletcher\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Interior of Almaty&#8217;s Zenkov Cathedral, also known as Ascension Cathedral. Photo credit: Richard Fletcher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Almaty-51-Kazakhstan-new-buildings-JGorman-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Shiny skyscrapers in downtown Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Jered Gorman\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Shiny skyscrapers in downtown Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Jered Gorman<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/34130002-Kazakhstan-Almaty-smiling-man-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A happy face amid traditional Kazakh musical instruments in Almaty. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">A happy face amid traditional Kazakh musical instruments in Almaty. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beauty of Lake Issyk-Kul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bordering four countries, rugged Kyrgyzstan is sandwiched among mountains and valleys,&nbsp;a pristine place for hiking and outdoor activities,&nbsp;such as at&nbsp;Lake Issyk-Kul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/love-kyrgyzstan-unfamiliar-silk-road-frontier\/\">More info and photos on Kyrgyzstan\u2019s stunning Silk Road landscapes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9798-Kyrgyzstan-Lake-Issyk-Kul-Richard-Fejfar-618.jpg\" alt=\"Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Lake Issyk-Kul is the second-largest high-altitude lake in world, a saline lake that never freezes. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\" class=\"wp-image-31267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9798-Kyrgyzstan-Lake-Issyk-Kul-Richard-Fejfar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9798-Kyrgyzstan-Lake-Issyk-Kul-Richard-Fejfar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9798-Kyrgyzstan-Lake-Issyk-Kul-Richard-Fejfar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_9798-Kyrgyzstan-Lake-Issyk-Kul-Richard-Fejfar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Lake Issyk-Kul is the second-largest high-altitude lake in world, a saline lake that never freezes. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beloved Horses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For centuries, horses have been an inextricable part of Kyrgyzstan\u2019s culture and history.&nbsp;Equestrian polo-like&nbsp;competitions on horseback are thrilling to watch, with crowds cheering on riders and their steeds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bukasi-7-Kyrgyzstan-Christine-Z-Anderson-618.jpg\" alt=\"Competitors tussle in a lively Kyrgyz horse game similar to polo. Photo credit: Christine Z. Anderson\" class=\"wp-image-31257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bukasi-7-Kyrgyzstan-Christine-Z-Anderson-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bukasi-7-Kyrgyzstan-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bukasi-7-Kyrgyzstan-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bukasi-7-Kyrgyzstan-Christine-Z-Anderson-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Competitors tussle in a lively Kyrgyz horse game similar to polo. Photo credit: Christine Z. Anderson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Burana Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Built in the 11th century,&nbsp;Burana Tower&nbsp;is one of the few remaining watchtowers along the old Silk Road. The red-brick structure once loomed over the ancient city of Balasagun at 148 feet tall; earthquakes have dropped its height to 82 feet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/P1060591-Kyrgyzstan-Burana-Tower-MKlimenta-618.jpg\" alt=\"From the platform of Burana Tower, visitors can see nearby petroglyphs and grave markers. Photo credit: Martin Klimenta\" class=\"wp-image-31269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/P1060591-Kyrgyzstan-Burana-Tower-MKlimenta-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/P1060591-Kyrgyzstan-Burana-Tower-MKlimenta-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/P1060591-Kyrgyzstan-Burana-Tower-MKlimenta-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/P1060591-Kyrgyzstan-Burana-Tower-MKlimenta-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From the platform of Burana Tower, visitors can see nearby petroglyphs and grave markers. Photo credit: Martin Klimenta<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (UNESCO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nicknamed&nbsp;\u201cLittle Mecca,\u201d&nbsp;this 653-foot-tall mountain looms over the town of Osh in the lush Fergana Valley. It\u2019s considered&nbsp;one of the holiest Islamic sites in Central Asia,&nbsp;long a rock beacon for those traveling the Silk Road.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0248-Kyrgyzstan-Osh-Sulaiman-Too-Sacred-Richard-Fejfar-618.jpg\" alt=\"A museum is built into the side of UNESCO-listed Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\" class=\"wp-image-31263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0248-Kyrgyzstan-Osh-Sulaiman-Too-Sacred-Richard-Fejfar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0248-Kyrgyzstan-Osh-Sulaiman-Too-Sacred-Richard-Fejfar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0248-Kyrgyzstan-Osh-Sulaiman-Too-Sacred-Richard-Fejfar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0248-Kyrgyzstan-Osh-Sulaiman-Too-Sacred-Richard-Fejfar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A museum is built into the side of UNESCO-listed Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_f5a834e4f2d1036f1e30638471b3ffe5-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Kyrgyzstan's raw beauty, set against the Tien Shan Mountains. Photo credit: Bill Fletcher\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Ancient petroglyphs depict long-horned ibex in Cholpan-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Setting sun over Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Vlad Ushakov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_f5a834e4f2d1036f1e30638471b3ffe5-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_f5a834e4f2d1036f1e30638471b3ffe5-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BillKyrgyzScene2-Kyrgystan-Tien-Shan-Bill-Thornton-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Kyrgyzstan's raw beauty, set against the Tien Shan Mountains. Photo credit: Bill Fletcher\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Kyrgyzstan&#8217;s raw beauty, set against the Tien Shan Mountains. Photo credit: Bill Fletcher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-16-10-14-16-53-48-Kyrgyzstan-Cholpan-Ata-ibex-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Ancient petroglyphs depict long-horned ibex in Cholpan-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Ancient petroglyphs depict long-horned ibex in Cholpan-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Vlad-Ushakov-Kyrgyzstan-lake-horse-sunset-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Setting sun over Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Vlad Ushakov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Setting sun over Kyrgyzstan. Photo credit: Vlad Ushakov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Uzbekistan\">Uzbekistan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Margilan\u2019s Silk Specialities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s so much to see in Uzbekistan \u2013 the heart of the Silk Road \u2013 that MIR\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/journey-through-central-asia-the-five-stans\/\">Journey Through Central Asia<\/a>&nbsp;spends considerable time here.&nbsp; In the lush Fergana Valley is the town of&nbsp;Margilan, a major Silk Road stop renowned for its silk-making.&nbsp; Silk threads are dyed bold colors and woven into complex designs known as \u201c<em>ikat<\/em>,\u201d like the one in this video:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Weaving Silk Road Silk in Margilan, Uzbekistan\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/f9gpvKPDMWk?list=PLLEzYNWcvUkZqewt_vvZ800GMHCoH8VMX\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_ae05134c91d2141b0a6924908ecdebe4-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Weaving a colorful ikat pattern, popular in Uzbek silk fabrics. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Uzbek ikat silk fabrics are bold in color and complex in design \u2013 truly a treasure of the Silk Road. Photo credit: Megan Gilboy\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A silk loom stretches from wall to wall in Margilan, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Paul Schwartz\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_ae05134c91d2141b0a6924908ecdebe4-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_ae05134c91d2141b0a6924908ecdebe4-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_0766-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-weaving-Richard-Fefjar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Weaving a colorful ikat pattern, popular in Uzbek silk fabrics. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Weaving a colorful ikat pattern, popular in Uzbek silk fabrics. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2336-Uzbekistan-silk-ikat-MGilboy-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Uzbek ikat silk fabrics are bold in color and complex in design \u2013 truly a treasure of the Silk Road. Photo credit: Megan Gilboy\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Uzbek ikat silk fabrics are bold in color and complex in design \u2013 truly a treasure of the Silk Road. Photo credit: Megan Gilboy<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_6729-Uzbekistan-Margilan-loom-PSchwartz-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A silk loom stretches from wall to wall in Margilan, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Paul Schwartz\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">A silk loom stretches from wall to wall in Margilan, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Paul Schwartz<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rishtan\u2019s Renowned Ceramics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;red clay and pigments are unique&nbsp;to this town, with its earthenware dating back a thousand years. Rishtan ceramics are known for&nbsp;elaborate floral and geometric designs&nbsp;in bright blue and green hues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"616\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-14-04-13-10-56-49-Uzbekistan-Rishtan-young-potter-MBehar-618.jpg\" alt=\"The skills to create Uzbek ceramics have been handed down from father to son for generations. Photo credit: Michel Behar\" class=\"wp-image-31270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-14-04-13-10-56-49-Uzbekistan-Rishtan-young-potter-MBehar-618.jpg 616w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-14-04-13-10-56-49-Uzbekistan-Rishtan-young-potter-MBehar-618-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-14-04-13-10-56-49-Uzbekistan-Rishtan-young-potter-MBehar-618-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-14-04-13-10-56-49-Uzbekistan-Rishtan-young-potter-MBehar-618-596x600.jpg 596w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The skills to create Uzbek ceramics have been handed down from father to son for generations. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_f33aef327a67ce44abddfda8a56cdd1e-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"It can take countless hours to paint an Uzbek platter such as this one. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Rishtan ceramics are coated with a blue-green glaze, ishkor, used for more than 1,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Many patterns and designs of Rishtan ceramics are inspired by nature \u2013 especially flowers. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_f33aef327a67ce44abddfda8a56cdd1e-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_f33aef327a67ce44abddfda8a56cdd1e-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-36-green-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"It can take countless hours to paint an Uzbek platter such as this one. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">It can take countless hours to paint an Uzbek platter such as this one. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-41-swirl-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Rishtan ceramics are coated with a blue-green glaze, ishkor, used for more than 1,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Rishtan ceramics are coated with a blue-green glaze, ishkor, used for more than 1,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/RISHTAN-CERAMICS-14-09-2014-13-52-46-blue-center-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x437.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Many patterns and designs of Rishtan ceramics are inspired by nature \u2013 especially flowers. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"450\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Many patterns and designs of Rishtan ceramics are inspired by nature \u2013 especially flowers. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tashkent\u2019s Revival<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan,&nbsp;Tashkent is a modern capital today&nbsp;\u2013 rebuilt after a massive earthquake in 1966 that destroyed much of its architectural history.&nbsp;Tillya Sheikh Mosque&nbsp;houses a large Islamic collection of manuscripts including the 7th century&nbsp;Uthman Koran,&nbsp;considered among the oldest Korans in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-15-04-14-15-20-20-Uzbekistan-Tashkent-kids-Tillya-Sheik-MBehar-618.jpg\" alt=\"A mix of old and new, as young kids play outside Tillya Sheikh Mosque in Tashkent. Photo credit: Michel Behar\" class=\"wp-image-31271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-15-04-14-15-20-20-Uzbekistan-Tashkent-kids-Tillya-Sheik-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-15-04-14-15-20-20-Uzbekistan-Tashkent-kids-Tillya-Sheik-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-15-04-14-15-20-20-Uzbekistan-Tashkent-kids-Tillya-Sheik-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-15-04-14-15-20-20-Uzbekistan-Tashkent-kids-Tillya-Sheik-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A mix of old and new, as young kids play outside Tillya Sheikh Mosque in Tashkent. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Samarkand\u2019s Registan Square (UNESCO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The heart of the long, ancient Silk Road is Uzbekistan. Some of the most famous&nbsp;UNESCO-listed sites&nbsp;are in this country, such as Samarkand, the&nbsp;\u201cCrossroad of Cultures.\u201d&nbsp;Its strategic location and wealth made the city a favorite target of conquerers, from Alexander the Great to Genghis Khan.&nbsp;Registan is considered one of the greatest squares&nbsp;in all of Central Asia, with its blue-tiled mosaics, mosques and madrassahs.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ-2006-JTCA-AF-548-4-Samarkand-AFilonov-618.jpg\" alt=\"Majestic Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Ana Filonov\" class=\"wp-image-31273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ-2006-JTCA-AF-548-4-Samarkand-AFilonov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ-2006-JTCA-AF-548-4-Samarkand-AFilonov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ-2006-JTCA-AF-548-4-Samarkand-AFilonov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ-2006-JTCA-AF-548-4-Samarkand-AFilonov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Majestic Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Ana Filonov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bukhara\u2019s Historic Center (UNESCO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bukhara was an oasis in the desert for Silk Road camel caravans long ago, and still is for modern travelers today. The heart of this&nbsp;UNESCO-listed Old Town is Lyabi-Hauz Plaza&nbsp;with its reflecting pool and centuries-old mulberry trees, framed by mosques, minarets and madrassahs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-LABI-HAUZ-20-09-2015-09-07-00-Uzbekistan-ASamadov-618.jpg\" alt=\"Bukhara\u2019s Lyabi-Hauz is an oasis within a Silk Road oasis, for centuries a place to meet, eat, and relax. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\" class=\"wp-image-31258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-LABI-HAUZ-20-09-2015-09-07-00-Uzbekistan-ASamadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-LABI-HAUZ-20-09-2015-09-07-00-Uzbekistan-ASamadov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-LABI-HAUZ-20-09-2015-09-07-00-Uzbekistan-ASamadov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-LABI-HAUZ-20-09-2015-09-07-00-Uzbekistan-ASamadov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bukhara\u2019s Lyabi-Hauz is an oasis within a Silk Road oasis, for centuries a place to meet, eat, and relax. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Khiva\u2019s Old Town (UNESCO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Known as \u201cIchon Qala,\u201d Khiva\u2019s UNESCO-listed Old Town&nbsp;today looks very much as it did centuries ago, with its dun-colored walls, main gate, and wood carvings \u2013 as seen in this video.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Old Town Panorama in Khiva, Uzbekistan\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xJv-qNvGrU8?list=PLLEzYNWcvUkZqewt_vvZ800GMHCoH8VMX\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_93c8f58ddb7b2e2c55a85590a0a8683f-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Savitsky Museum in Nukus houses a treasure trove of once-banned Soviet avant-garde art. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-150x127.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-150x127.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-600x510.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A favorite Uzbek dish, plov is mounded high for a festive luncheon in Tashkent. Photo credit: Helen Holter\"\n  height=\"525\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Home to the emirs, Bukhara's ancient Ark Citadel dates back some 2,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_93c8f58ddb7b2e2c55a85590a0a8683f-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_93c8f58ddb7b2e2c55a85590a0a8683f-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UZ_NUKUS_Savitsky_Museum-32-artwork-LFincher-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The Savitsky Museum in Nukus houses a treasure trove of once-banned Soviet avant-garde art. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The Savitsky Museum in Nukus houses a treasure trove of once-banned Soviet avant-garde art. Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-150x127.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-150x127.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_0786-Uzbekistan2008-plov-woman-HHolter-618-1-600x510.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A favorite Uzbek dish, plov is mounded high for a festive luncheon in Tashkent. Photo credit: Helen Holter\"\n  height=\"525\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">A favorite Uzbek dish, plov is mounded high for a festive luncheon in Tashkent. Photo credit: Helen Holter<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/BUKHARA-ARK-WALLS-21-10-2015-11-28-42-Abdu-Samadov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Home to the emirs, Bukhara's ancient Ark Citadel dates back some 2,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Home to the emirs, Bukhara&#8217;s ancient Ark Citadel dates back some 2,000 years. Photo credit: Abdu Samadov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Tajikistan\">Tajikistan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ancient Khujand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Infused with the&nbsp;influences of Islam and Russia,&nbsp;Tajikistan is home to 2,000-year-old&nbsp;Khujand,&nbsp;once a religious center and important stop on the old Silk Road.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sugd-Region-Museum-Khujant-Dilshod-Karimov-618.jpg\" alt=\"Khujand\u2019s Historical Museum of Sogdiana houses artifacts and exhibits from Tajik history. Photo credit: Dilshod Karimov\" class=\"wp-image-31272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sugd-Region-Museum-Khujant-Dilshod-Karimov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sugd-Region-Museum-Khujant-Dilshod-Karimov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sugd-Region-Museum-Khujant-Dilshod-Karimov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sugd-Region-Museum-Khujant-Dilshod-Karimov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Khujand\u2019s Historical Museum of Sogdiana houses artifacts and exhibits from Tajik history. Photo credit: Dilshod Karimov<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Colorful Panjshanbe Bazaar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Khujand is also known for its&nbsp;colorful, ancient bazaars&nbsp;\u2013 such as the covered&nbsp;Panjshanbe Bazaar, filled with fruits, spices and farm-fresh produce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Behar-JTCA-3-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618.jpg\" alt=\"Khujand\u2019s fanciful pink-colored covered bazaar is the city\u2019s bustling central market. Photo credit: Michel Behar\" class=\"wp-image-31255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Behar-JTCA-3-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Behar-JTCA-3-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Behar-JTCA-3-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Behar-JTCA-3-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Khujand\u2019s fanciful pink-colored covered bazaar is the city\u2019s bustling central market. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Muslihiddin Memorial Complex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Across from Panjshanbe Bazaar is the final resting place for&nbsp;Sheikh&nbsp;Muslihiddin Khudjandi, Tajikistan\u2019s beloved 12th century poet&nbsp;and governor of Khujand.&nbsp; Destroyed by invaders and rebuilt several times, the complex contains the Muslihiddin mosque, minaret, and mausoleum.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-22-08-Tajikistan-Khujand-mosque-MBehar-618.jpg\" alt=\"First built in the 12th century, the sacred Muslihiddin Memorial Complex is located in Khujand\u2019s Old Town. Photo credit: Michel Behar\" class=\"wp-image-31260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-22-08-Tajikistan-Khujand-mosque-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-22-08-Tajikistan-Khujand-mosque-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-22-08-Tajikistan-Khujand-mosque-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-22-08-Tajikistan-Khujand-mosque-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">First built in the 12th century, the sacred Muslihiddin Memorial Complex is located in Khujand\u2019s Old Town. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_d6e359c67ee47429b572c05ad1374497-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-150x103.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-600x413.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A common greeting in Central Asia: right hand over heart, as here in Khujand, Tajikistan. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"425\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"For centuries, Khujand has been a Silk Road stop for merchants and traders; today they gather at Panjshanbe Bazaar. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Young boys offer a warm welcome to Khujand's Panjshanbe Bazaar. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_d6e359c67ee47429b572c05ad1374497-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_d6e359c67ee47429b572c05ad1374497-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-150x103.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Photo-06-05-13-12-24-04-Tajikistan-Khujand-honey-vendor-MBehar-618-600x413.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"A common greeting in Central Asia: right hand over heart, as here in Khujand, Tajikistan. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"425\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">A common greeting in Central Asia: right hand over heart, as here in Khujand, Tajikistan. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-20-10-14-15-36-12-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-MBehar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"For centuries, Khujand has been a Silk Road stop for merchants and traders; today they gather at Panjshanbe Bazaar. Photo credit: Michel Behar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">For centuries, Khujand has been a Silk Road stop for merchants and traders; today they gather at Panjshanbe Bazaar. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_1021-Tajikistan-Khujand-Panjshanbe-Bazaar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Young boys offer a warm welcome to Khujand's Panjshanbe Bazaar. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Young boys offer a warm welcome to Khujand&#8217;s Panjshanbe Bazaar. <\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Richard Fejfar<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-grey-color has-text-color\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Turkmenistan\">Turkmenistan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ancient Ruins (UNESCO)&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This last country visited on MIR\u2019s tour,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/journey-through-central-asia-the-five-stans\/\">Journey Through Central Asia,<\/a>&nbsp;mixes tribal culture and camels with modern cities and transportation.&nbsp; Its&nbsp;UNESCO-listed ancient ruins of Merv&nbsp;is&nbsp;one of the Silk Road\u2019s oldest and best preserved cities, inhabited for more than 4,000 years.&nbsp; Other UNESCO ruins include the&nbsp;Parthian Kingdom of Nisa&nbsp;along with&nbsp;Khorezm\u2019s Kunya Urgench&nbsp;and 11th-century&nbsp;Kutlug-Timur Minaret.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DSC_0662-Turkmenistan-Merv-ruins-DGrimes-618.jpg\" alt=\"The UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv offer a glimpse into the evolution of urban centers. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes\" class=\"wp-image-31259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DSC_0662-Turkmenistan-Merv-ruins-DGrimes-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DSC_0662-Turkmenistan-Merv-ruins-DGrimes-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DSC_0662-Turkmenistan-Merv-ruins-DGrimes-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DSC_0662-Turkmenistan-Merv-ruins-DGrimes-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The UNESCO-listed ruins of Merv offer a glimpse into the evolution of urban centers. Photo credit: Douglas Grimes<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">World Record for Marble Buildings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>MIR\u2019s epic Silk Road tour ends in Turkmenistan\u2019s capital city of Ashgabat, filled with&nbsp;so many white marble buildings that it set a Guinness world record.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/strong> \u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/ashgabat-turkmenistans-lavish-capital-of-marble-gold-photo-gallery\/\">More info and photos on Ashgabat\u2019s lavish capital<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_5168-Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-marble-buildings-RFejfar-618.jpg\" alt=\"Turkmenistan\u2019s capital, Ashgabat, is awash in white marble buildings \u2013 more than 540. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\" class=\"wp-image-31265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_5168-Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-marble-buildings-RFejfar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_5168-Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-marble-buildings-RFejfar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_5168-Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-marble-buildings-RFejfar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_5168-Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-marble-buildings-RFejfar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Turkmenistan\u2019s capital, Ashgabat, is awash in white marble buildings \u2013 more than 540. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Akhal-Teke Horses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The importance of horses in Silk Road history and devotion to them across all of Central Asia is concentrated in a visit to a&nbsp;horse-breeding farm of Akhal-Teke horses,&nbsp;considered the oldest breed of horse in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_4239-Turkmenistan-AkhalTeke-RFejfar-618.jpg\" alt=\"Akhal-Teke horses are praised as one of the world\u2019s most beautiful horse breeds: metallic sheen, long legs and grace. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar\" class=\"wp-image-31264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_4239-Turkmenistan-AkhalTeke-RFejfar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_4239-Turkmenistan-AkhalTeke-RFejfar-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_4239-Turkmenistan-AkhalTeke-RFejfar-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_4239-Turkmenistan-AkhalTeke-RFejfar-618-600x388.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Akhal-Teke horses are praised as one of the world\u2019s most beautiful horse breeds: metallic sheen, long legs and grace. Photo credit: Richard Fejfar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-standardcarousel js-xd-components__carousel\">\n  <div class=\"js-xd-components__carousel\">\n    <div uk-slider  >\n      <div class=\"uk-position-relative\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n        <ul\n          id=\"block_52df60827b6356c40ce0a1f925c50a40-carousel\"\n          class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1 uk-child-width-1-2@s uk-child-width-1-3@m uk-grid uk-grid-small  js-xd-components__carousel-lightbox-open\">\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The immense golden Kipchak Mosque, dedicated to the former Turkmen president, Saparmurat Niyazov (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The caps worn by these Turkmen girls indicate they are unmarried. Photo credit: Ana Filonov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n                      <li>\n                              <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Ashgabat\u2019s Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, site of the world\u2019s largest enclosed Ferris wheel (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                          <\/li>\n          \n        <\/ul>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"previous\"\n          ><\/a>\n        <a\n          class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover\"\n          href=\"#\"\n          uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\"\n          uk-slider-item=\"next\"\n        ><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav uk-flex-center uk-margin\" ><\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      \n  <div id=\"block_52df60827b6356c40ce0a1f925c50a40-lightbox\" class=\"uk-modal-container xd-components__media-grid-lightbox uk-modal\" uk-modal=\"uk-modal\">\n    <div class=\"uk-modal-dialog uk-modal-body\">\n      <button class=\"uk-modal-close-outside\" type=\"button\" uk-close=\"uk-close\"><\/button>\n      <div id=\"block_52df60827b6356c40ce0a1f925c50a40-lightbox-slider\" uk-slider=\"uk-slider\">\n        <div class=\"uk-position-relative\">\n          <div class=\"uk-slider-container\">\n            <ul class=\"uk-slider-items uk-child-width-1-1\">\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-357-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The immense golden Kipchak Mosque, dedicated to the former Turkmen president, Saparmurat Niyazov (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The immense golden Kipchak Mosque, dedicated to the former Turkmen president, Saparmurat Niyazov.<\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-150x97.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TK-2006-JTCA-AF-020-two-girls-AFilonov-618-600x388.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"The caps worn by these Turkmen girls indicate they are unmarried. Photo credit: Ana Filonov\"\n  height=\"400\"\n  width=\"618\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">The caps worn by these Turkmen girls indicate they are unmarried. Photo credit: Ana Filonov<\/span>\n                                                        <\/li>\n                              <li>\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n  src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/mir\/build\/images\/png\/lazy-loading.png\"\n  data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-150x100.jpg\"\n  data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Turkmenistan-Ashgabat-17-600x400.jpg 600w\"\n  sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\n  class=\"lazyload \"\n  alt=\"Ashgabat\u2019s Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, site of the world\u2019s largest enclosed Ferris wheel (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). Photo credit: Lindsay Fincher\"\n  height=\"533\"\n  width=\"800\"\n\/>                    <span class=\"photo-caption\">Ashgabat\u2019s Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, site of the world\u2019s largest enclosed Ferris wheel<\/span>\n                                                            <span class=\"photo-credit\"> Lindsay Fincher<\/span>\n                                  <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/div>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-left uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-previous uk-slidenav\" href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-previous=\"uk-slidenav-previous\" uk-slider-item=\"previous\"><\/a>\n          <a class=\"uk-position-center-right uk-position-small uk-hidden-hover uk-icon uk-slidenav-next uk-slidenav\"\n            href=\"#\" uk-slidenav-next=\"uk-slidenav-next\" uk-slider-item=\"next\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"uk-slider-nav uk-dotnav\">\n        <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(click image to view larger photo)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignwide is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-30 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"537\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-9726\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1.jpg\" style=\"object-position:66% 18%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"66% 18%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/DSC_0486-1-600x403.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><strong>Travel to Central Asia with MIR<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MIR has more than&nbsp;30 years of travel experience in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Central Asia<\/a>,&nbsp;with an&nbsp;affiliate office in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/uzbekistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Uzbekistan<\/a>&nbsp;and a roster of contacts that can take you to places that you\u2019ve only dreamed about, or never even imagined. Our&nbsp;full&nbsp;service, dedication, commitment to quality, and destination expertise have&nbsp;twice&nbsp;earned us&nbsp;a place on&nbsp;<em>National Geographic Adventure\u2019s<\/em>&nbsp;list of&nbsp;\u201cBest Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can experience the exotic countries of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/kazakhstan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kazakhstan<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/kyrgyzstan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kyrgyzstan<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/uzbekistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Uzbekistan<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/tajikistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tajikistan<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/turkmenistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turkmenistan<\/a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/destinations\/central-asia-silk-route\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;MIR\u2019s small group tours and rail journeys by private trains that travel to Central Asia<\/a> or&nbsp;on one of MIR\u2019s&nbsp;handcrafted private&nbsp;independent travel itineraries,&nbsp;such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/trip\/essential-central-asia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Essential Central Asia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-xd-layout \n  container\n XD-mt--sm XD-mb--sm\n undefined\n XD-h-100--sm XD-h-100--md XD-h-100--lg XD-h-100--xl\" style=\"background-size:cover;background-color:\" uk-scrollspy=\"\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\" col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-lg-6 col-xl-6 offset-sm-0 offset-md-2 offset-lg-3 offset-xl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-24-09-14-17-16-02-Uzbekistan-Samarkand-wedding-couple-MBehar-618.jpg\" alt=\"Newlyweds pause for pictures among Samarkand\u2019s ancient architecture. Photo credit: Michel Behar\" class=\"wp-image-31262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-24-09-14-17-16-02-Uzbekistan-Samarkand-wedding-couple-MBehar-618.jpg 618w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-24-09-14-17-16-02-Uzbekistan-Samarkand-wedding-couple-MBehar-618-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-24-09-14-17-16-02-Uzbekistan-Samarkand-wedding-couple-MBehar-618-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Foto-24-09-14-17-16-02-Uzbekistan-Samarkand-wedding-couple-MBehar-618-600x413.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Newlyweds pause for pictures among Samarkand\u2019s ancient architecture. Photo credit: Michel Behar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Or, you can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/plan-your-trip\/custom-private\/\">create your own Silk Road journey through Central&nbsp;Asia<\/a>&nbsp;with the help of MIR\u2019s custom and private journey specialists.We specialize in&nbsp;personalized, handcrafted itineraries, taking&nbsp; your ideas and desires and and weaving them into a trip tailored especially for you. Travel wherever, however, and with whomever you like, relying on our expert assistance. Contact us to find out more about our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/plan-your-trip\/custom-private\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">custom and private travel expertise<\/a>,&nbsp;with each journey unique&nbsp;to&nbsp;your interests, dates and pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Chat with one of our destination specialists now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mircorp.com\/contact\/\">CONTACT US!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of MIR\u2019s best-loved and well known tours, Journey Through Central Asia: The Five \u2018Stans, explores a part of the world many know only from fairy tales or history lessons about the Old Silk Road. Dubbed \u201cthe five \u2018Stans\u201d \u2013 Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan \u2013 these Central Asian countries linked the great trade routes between Europe and China more than 2,000 years ago. Result: an exotic mix of foreign cultures, customs, architecture and religions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":5296,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[38],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Silk Road Tour Spotlight: Journey Through Central Asia (video)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you wanted to travel the Silk Road? 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