Almaty Museum of Arts
Almaty Museum of Arts, which opened in late 2025, is an exciting addition to the Central Asian art scene. The brainchild of Kazakh entrepeneur Nurlan Smagulov, it hosts an impressive permanent collection of Kazakh and international art.
Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve, Kyrgyzstan
Come with us to the stunning Sary Chelek Biosphere in south-western Kyrgyzstan, a UNESCO-protected haven of extraordinary natural beauty.
Vardzia Cave City, Georgia
Vardzia cave city, folded into the hills of Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region, is both a cultural symbol and spectacular natural phenomenon with a special place in Georgian hearts.
Barsakelmes Nature Reserve, Aral, Kazakhstan
Today Barsakelmes is surrounded by the sands of the world’s youngest desert, the Aralkum. But it wasn’t long ago that Barsakelmes was an island in the middle of the Aral Sea, the fourth largest lake in the world.
Kok Baru - Goat Carcass ‘polo’
Kok Baru, or goat carcass polo, is the national game of Kyrgyzstan, and the greatest display of horsemanship you are ever likely to see.
Vani Museum, Georgia
An hour south of Kutaisi, in a little-visited pocket of western Georgia, lies the absolutely fantastic Vani Archaeological Museum, home to a glittering array of treasures and artifacts from the ancient Kingdom of Colchis, from whence came the golden fleece.
Tashkent Metro
Built in the 1970s and envisioned as both a work of art and a city-wide nuclear shelter, Tashkent Metro remains one of the most beautiful and ornate subway systems in the world, with every one of its stations designed around a different theme.
Merv, Turkmenistan
Merv, Turkmenistan. Existing from the 3rd millennium BC until the 18th Century and now in ruins, this city - reputedly the largest on earth at one time, with a population of over 500,000 - was once a key centre of Islamic science and arts. Now long-abandoned, it is still redolent of those busier times.
Matenadaran - the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts, Yerevan
Yerevan’s Matenadaran - a museum, archive and centre for scientific research - is a paean to the Armenian alphabet and its story, housing the largest collection of Armenian manuscripts in the world.
The Savitsky Museum, Nukus, Uzbekistan
The Savitsky Museum. Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. A fabulous tale of salvation, subterfuge and obsession, resulting in the world’s second largest collection of Soviet avant-garde artworks, deep in the deserts of Karakalpakstan.
The Gallery of Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan, Gyumri, Armenia
To Gyumri, Armenia, and the museum of the remarkable Aslamazyan sisters, who travelled the world and broke every mould in the book.
Odzun Monastery, Armenia
To Odzun, in north-eastern Armenia, a 6th century church perched high above the Debed gorge.
Shakpak-ata, Western Kazakhstan
A few hours’ drive from the Kazakh city of Aktau lies Shakpak-ata, one of the many underground mosques to be found in Mangystau, a fascinating outpost of western Kazakhstan.
Chaikhana Rohat, Dushanbe
A visit to Chaikhana Rohat, a former tea house in the Tajik capital Dushanbe that was, very sadly, destroyed in 2025 as part of the government’s drive for modernisation.
Karon Castle, Tajikistan
Folded into the mountains of Tajikistan’s Amu Darya valley are the remains of this ancient city, unknown to even archaeologists until 2012.
Georgian Winemaking
Georgia has the world’s oldest winemaking culture, and if you haven’t yet strayed from Pinot, Syrah or Merlot to experience Rkatseteli, Saperavi or Krakhuna varieties, then perhaps now is the time. Where better than at the tables of wine producers themselves?
Ayaz Kala, Uzbekistan
To Ayaz Kala, a Silk Road era fortress in the heart of Uzbekistan’s Kyzyl Kum desert; built 1500 years ago to protect passing caravans of traders.
Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan
Konye Urgench, in north-eastern Turkmenistan, hosts some fascinating remnants of Khwarazmian architecture.
Kyrgyz State History Museum, Bishkek
Re-opened in 2022 after a six year renovation, this German-designed museum is, in our opinion, the best in Central Asia. Learn about some of its treasures, from Saka gold and 9th century Buddhist icons to beautiful traditional clothes.
Tajik Recipe - Kitsore kadu
A delicious autumnal recipe from the Tajik Pamirs, taken from the excellent With our own Hands cookbook by Jamila Haider and Frederik van Ouderhoven.