Karakalpakstan

The Republic of Karakalpakstan, situated in the northwestern region of Uzbekistan, is a land of striking contrasts and rich history. Dominated by vast deserts, nearly 80% of its territory is covered by these arid expanses. The southern and southwestern parts of Karakalpakstan encompass the Karakum Desert, while the Ustyurt Plateau stretches across the northwest, and the Kyzylkum Desert occupies the northeastern region.

Karakalpakstan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea, now largely transformed into the new saline desert of Aralkum, formed on the dried seabed. This region also features the intermittent lower reaches of the Amu Darya River. Despite significant environmental issues, the area’s natural beauty remains unparalleled. Geological studies reveal that these deserts were once the bed of a vast ancient sea. Remnants of the marine life from the Cretaceous and Cenozoic periods can still be found, offering a glimpse into a distant past when the region was underwater.

Traveling through Karakalpakstan reveals not only stunning natural landscapes but also a treasure trove of historical and archaeological sites. Known as an «archaeological reserve,» the region boasts more than 300 archaeological sites. In ancient times, Karakalpakstan, along with present-day Khorezm and parts of Turkmenistan, was part of Ancient Khorezm. This area was a cradle of Zoroastrianism and the birthplace of the holy book Avesta.

Despite the extremely low standard of living, the Karakalpak people have preserved their rich customs and traditions. The achievements of local artisans in wood carving with inlay, leather embossing, weaving, and embroidery are widely known.

The uniqueness of the region lies in the fact that it is surrounded on two sides by the vast Central Asian deserts of Karakum and Kyzylkum. Additionally, due to the ongoing drying of the Aral Sea, another desert, the salty Aral-Kum, is forming here. Thus, deserts cover 80% of Karakalpakstan’s territory, and their shape is quite distinctive — these are sand dunes. Once upon a time, this territory was called Khorezm and was, without exaggeration, the cradle of a powerful and unique culture. It’s hard for us to believe, but civilization used to come from the East, not from the West, and these places bear witness to that. Therefore, it’s no coincidence that Karakalpakstan is called an “archaeological reserve”: it’s a veritable treasure trove for enthusiasts of antiquity. Those interested in the Middle Ages will also find plenty of opportunities to explore, as until the 9th-13th centuries, before the invasion of Genghis Khan’s armies, Khorezm was a center of irrigated agriculture, education, science, and art. Many monuments from this period have survived to this day.

If you want to see glamorous UNESCO monuments, go to Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Karakalpakstan offers a different kind of tourism — more rugged and less comfortable. But, interestingly, here you can also feel a much stronger connection between people, their cultures, and the surrounding environment. The caravanserai of Beleuli, located on the barren Ustyurt Plateau, is built from stone blocks with shells, which serve as a reminder of the time when this area was the bottom of the ocean. Karakalpak nomads dug deep furrows in the territory of the current Saigachy Reserve, using them as traps for saigas, which historically thrived here in large numbers. In Muynak, amidst the sands of the Aral-Kum, the world’s youngest desert, majestic shipwrecks lie — evidence that this city was once a thriving fishing port.

Moreover, in Karakalpakstan, which is physically distant from the predominant Uzbek and Tajik cultures to the east, it is easier to see, feel, and appreciate the cultural uniqueness of the region’s ethnic minorities. In addition to the Karakalpaks, there are also Kazakhs, Turkmens, and representatives of other ethnic groups living here. On the streets of Nukus, you can hear many different languages.

Tourists traveling through Karakalpakstan will discover not only breathtaking natural landscapes but also priceless ruins of ancient and medieval monuments. The space between Nukus and the Amu Darya River is littered with ancient fortresses — remnants of various centuries, the last witnesses of an almost vanished civilization.

Toprak-kala fortress is a must-visit on the list.The preserved southeastern corner of the fortress allows to imagine the grand scale of the ancient construction. Here you can also see partially preserved wall paintings and the ruins of several buildings, presumably temple structures.

Another landmark is the Ayaz-kala complex, consisting of the Big and Small fortresses. The Big fortress is surrounded by 35 unfinished towers arranged in a semi-circular shape, while the Small fortress, when viewed from the north, resembles a shoe.

Located almost 40 km from Nukus, Chilpyk is a pyramid-shaped structure, presumably of a ritual nature. It is believed that it was used for leaving the departed for purification of bones from flesh. Later, Chilpyk was used as an observation tower and a prison.

The mausoleum of Mazlukhman Sulu, which is partially underground, is noteworthy. Down, through a vaulted corridor, stairs lead from the portal to a small intermediate cult structure. The mausoleum is considered an example of architecture of the Golden Horde Khorezm.

Mizdahkan (Gyaur-Kala Khodjeyli) is an archaeological-architectural complex of the 4th-14th centuries, located on three hills, including exceptionally interesting monuments — the Gyaur-Qala fortress, three mausoleums, and a large caravanserai. During excavations, unique burials, coins, household utensils, glass, and gold jewelry were found here.

The archaeological monuments of Karakalpakstan can be described endlessly.