Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's modern capital is a gateway to the Silk Road, with Soviet-era metro stations that rival Moscow's, bustling Chorsu Bazaar, and increasingly excellent restaurants. The high-speed Afrosiyob train connects to Samarkand in just 2 hours.

The jewel of the Silk Road, Samarkand's Registan Square is one of the most breathtaking architectural ensembles on earth. Turquoise-tiled madrasas, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Tamerlane's mausoleum transport you to the height of the Timurid Empire.

One of the best-preserved medieval cities in Central Asia, Bukhara's old town is a UNESCO site of ancient mosques, madrasas, and caravanserais. The Kalyan Minaret, Ark Fortress, and covered bazaars evoke centuries of Silk Road trade.