Khiva was once an important stop for merchants ... had some of the most exquisite colours and patterns found anywhere in the Itchan Kala, drawing me back again and again for closer inspection.

and you can find the same patterns on religious buildings,” said Khudayberganov Kamiljan, . Zoroastrian influences are evident on the facades of Khiva’s buildings. Even mosques and madrassas ...

Khiva is an ancient city in the west of the country and is one of the oldest in Central Asia. Dating back more than 2,500 years, Khiva was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1990.

the carpet weaver briefly looked up from the loom to smile at me before bending her head back to study the pattern. There is archaeological evidence to show that Khiva has existed since the 6th ...