The walls and gates of Itchan Kala

City guide · Xiva

Khiva

A khanate's capital within mud-brick walls: Itchan Kala

Foto: Adam Harangozó · CC BY-SA 4.0

Khiva's inner city, Itchan Kala, is still entirely enclosed by mud-brick walls; inside, mosques, madrasas, palaces and minarets stand close together like an open-air museum. The walls are lit up at night, so it is worth staying the night.

History

Los orígenes de la ciudad

Archaeology shows the Khiva area was inhabited by the 6th century, and the city appears in Muslim travel accounts of the 10th century. In the early 17th century Khiva became the capital of the Khanate of Khiva. In the 19th century Muhammad Rahim Khan I, Allakuli Khan and Muhammad Amin Khan launched great building programmes; the Kalta Minor minaret begun by Muhammad Amin Khan was left unfinished when he died. Historically, Bukhara and Khiva were also centres of the Central Asian slave trade. In 1990 Itchan Kala became Uzbekistan's first World Heritage Site.

  1. 6th centuryAlready inhabited
  2. Early 17th centuryBecame capital of the Khanate of Khiva
  3. 1845–1855Reign of Muhammad Amin Khan, who began the Kalta Minor
  4. 1990Itchan Kala became a World Heritage Site

Before you go

Normas que debe conocer en Khiva

Todas las normas y tabúes →

Línea rojaModales cotidianosUzbekistan

Uzbekistan: change money only at official outlets

  • Change money at official exchange points, and get cash in big cities before heading to smaller places
  • Changing money on the black market

Black-market currency exchange is illegal.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Uzbekistan travel advice

Línea rojaModales cotidianosUzbekistan

Uzbekistan: always carry your passport

  • Carry your original passport at all times
  • Leaving your passport at the hotel

The law requires you to carry it; police check often, and you may be fined or arrested if you don't.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Uzbekistan travel advice

TabúFotos y dronesUzbekistan

Uzbekistan: check before you take photos

  • Ask before taking photos near airports, border posts, military bases, bridges, police stations and metro stations
  • Photographing government buildings

It may annoy the authorities; posting content on social media that disrespects the flag, food or customs can lead to fines or detention.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Uzbekistan travel advice

Fuentes