Central Asia Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Central Asia is home to the 'Stans: rugged countries with limited arable land, historically coveted for their position between Europe and east Asia, rather than for their resources (though petroleum reserves in the region are becoming important). They are home to generally poor, primarily Muslim, historically nomadic, mostly Turkic-speaking peoples. All but Afghanistan (which is sometimes categorized separately for this and other reasons) are former Soviet republics that so far have retained authoritarian, secular governments.
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Countries
In culture and history, Iran, Western China, and parts of Russia and Pakistan might also be considered as parts of Central Asia.
Understand
Central Asia is an area that was, until recently, inaccessible for independent travellers. That has all changed, although the traveller will still often come up against a wall of Soviet-style bureaucracy. Despite this, Central Asia is definitely increasing in popularity amongst travellers who want to experience one of the world's last great frontier lands.
Historically and geographically diverse, Central Asia is an interesting region. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, the region was the home of the Silk Road, the ancient trading routes between the two continents in the first centuries of the common era. The following millennia saw much upheaval and conflict, from the expansion of Islam, the period of Mongol domination and the 'Great Game' between imperial Britain and imperial Russia in the 19th century.
After a traumatic break-up from the USSR, Some Central Asian countries are beginning to find their feet and offer good travelling options. There are parts of Central Asia that will have hardly seen a traveller before, and there are many wild and beautiful landscapes to be explored. That is not to say the region is bereft of problems, chiefly lack of infrastructure and stifling bureaucracy.
Get In
By plane
The hub for the region is Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which has the most flights to destinations outside Central Asia. Unfortunately, it also has a reputation for being unpleasant, and it is best to avoid flights which arrive here late at night.
There are also increasingly good options for flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan. You can fly here directly from London, Frankfurt, Beijing, Seoul, Moscow and various others.
Most Afghans and Pakistanis travel by air to Islamabad or Lahore and go by road to their final destinations.
Other Central Asia cities generally involve a change in one of these hubs, but British Mediterranean link Bishkek with London.
Overland
From Russia
Trains going to Central Asia leave from Moscow Kazansky station. Trains go to Tashkent (56 hours/US$80), Almaty (78 hours/US$120), Bishkek (75 hours/US$70), Samarkand (85 hours/US$100), and others.
From China
There is a line from Urumqi, China to Almaty, but the bus is quicker. An interesting option is the challenging crossing from Kashgar, China to Kyrgyzstan through the Torugart Pass. This was a major link on the old Silk Road.
From Iran
The border is closed to foreigners, but there are buses running between Mashhad and Ashghabat, Turkmenistan.
From Pakistan
Travelling to different areas of Pakistan is quite easy by train, bus or taxi. The route from there into Afghanistan via the Khyber Pass is not currently safe. The Karakoram Highway North into China is challenging but possible. It gets you to Kashgar; from there routes to Central Asia are either difficult (West to Bishkek) or long (swing North to Urumqi and then Almaty).
By boat
There is an irregular service between Baku, Azerbaijan and Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
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