Urgench

Urgench refers to two distinct cities: one in Uzbekistan and the other in Turkmenistan near the village of Kunya-Urgench, where the ruins of an ancient settlement can be found.

The ancient city of Urgench, now situated in Turkmenistan close to the border, has an uncertain origin date but is believed to have existed as early as the 1st century AD. It was a significant center for trade and industry, equipped with an advanced irrigation system. During the 10th and 11th centuries, it served as the capital of Khorezm. However, its prominence was short-lived as the city was ravaged by Genghis Khan’s forces in the 13th century and later completely destroyed by Amir Temur a century afterward. Despite struggling to maintain its existence until the 17th century, the city eventually fell into ruin, leaving behind its mosques, minarets, fortresses, and irrigation infrastructure. Today, the remains of ancient Urgench draw numerous tourists from around the globe.

In contrast, modern Urgench is situated in Uzbekistan, near the Uzbek-Turkmen border. Founded in the early 20th century, this city lacks historical landmarks compared to its ancient counterpart. Serving as the administrative center of the Khorezm region, Urgench functions as a key transport hub in the area.

The city is well-connected by railways, linking the northern and southern parts of Central Asia. It is also served by Urgench International Airport, which accommodates various aircraft and handles flights from cities such as Tashkent, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, and beyond. Additionally, Urgench is connected to Khiva via a unique 35-kilometer trolleybus line. Since Khiva houses most of the major historical sites and monuments of the Khorezm region, Urgench makes an excellent starting point for tours to both Khiva and the ancient site of Kunya-Urgench.