<strong>Timur's tomb, Samarkand, Uzbekistan: </strong>The resting place of the 14th century emir, who was known for his plans for world domination and for building pyramids out of the skulls of those he slaughtered, is in Samarkand. (Dan Lundberg/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Timur's tomb, Samarkand, Uzbekistan: The resting place of the 14th century emir, who was known for his plans for world domination and for building pyramids out of the skulls of those he slaughtered, is in Samarkand. (Dan Lundberg/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Dan Lundberg/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>Khiva, Uzbekistan: </strong>The Islam Hodja minaret provides one of the best views of the ossified city. (Mr Hicks46/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Khiva, Uzbekistan: The Islam Hodja minaret provides one of the best views of the ossified city. (Mr Hicks46/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Mr Hicks46/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>The luxury train: </strong>German rail company Lernidee operates the only luxury train route in Central Asia, taking travelers on a journey across the 'Stans.
The luxury train: German rail company Lernidee operates the only luxury train route in Central Asia, taking travelers on a journey across the 'Stans.
Lernidee
<strong>Dance performance in Bukhara: </strong>The luxury train ride begins in the former Kazakh capital of Almaty, and travels through the highlights of the Silk Road in just over a fortnight, including Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, before terminating in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.
Dance performance in Bukhara: The luxury train ride begins in the former Kazakh capital of Almaty, and travels through the highlights of the Silk Road in just over a fortnight, including Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, before terminating in the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.
Lernidee
<strong>Kalta Minor Minaret,</strong> <strong>Khiva, Uzbekistan:</strong> As fat as a water tower, squat and emblazoned with belts of glorious turquoise friezes, the most beguiling attraction in the ancient trading city of Khiva (now in present day southern Uzbekistan) isn't even finished. (David Stanley/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan: As fat as a water tower, squat and emblazoned with belts of glorious turquoise friezes, the most beguiling attraction in the ancient trading city of Khiva (now in present day southern Uzbekistan) isn't even finished. (David Stanley/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
David Stanley/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Tashkent, Uzbekistan: </strong>Uzbek capital Tashkent's metro system is a staggering example of Soviet modernism. It also has a dome-shaped food market, Chorsu Bazaar (pictured here), that looks like a Soviet space age era fantasy. (Francisco Anzola/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Uzbek capital Tashkent's metro system is a staggering example of Soviet modernism. It also has a dome-shaped food market, Chorsu Bazaar (pictured here), that looks like a Soviet space age era fantasy. (Francisco Anzola/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Francisco Anzola/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent, Uzbekistan: </strong>Traders at this market sell typical Uzbek carnivorous cuts including horse sausage, sheep's lungs, mutton, goat and camel meat, huge skewers of kebab meat and pies made with the fat from a sheep's rump. (Aleksandr Zykov/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Traders at this market sell typical Uzbek carnivorous cuts including horse sausage, sheep's lungs, mutton, goat and camel meat, huge skewers of kebab meat and pies made with the fat from a sheep's rump. (Aleksandr Zykov/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Aleksandr Zykov/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>Almaty, Kazakhstan:</strong> Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and its former capital city.
Almaty, Kazakhstan: Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and its former capital city.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Almaty's horse meat: </strong>Almaty celebrations usually feature a classic dish of horse meat. (Kai Hendry/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Almaty's horse meat: Almaty celebrations usually feature a classic dish of horse meat. (Kai Hendry/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Kai Hendry/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Ashgabat, Turkmenistan:</strong> With wide boulevards, grandiose modern structures and few people, Ashgabat has the feel of a showpiece city. The five-star hotel Yyldyz was built in Turkmenistan's capital in 2013.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: With wide boulevards, grandiose modern structures and few people, Ashgabat has the feel of a showpiece city. The five-star hotel Yyldyz was built in Turkmenistan's capital in 2013.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: </strong>The current president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has built himself a new golden statue in the center of town.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: The current president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has built himself a new golden statue in the center of town.
IGOR SASIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images