The Silk and Spices Festival in Bukhara: What to See and How to Plan

Bukhara is one of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road, and the Silk and Spices Festival recalls the times when this was a major trading crossroads. It is held in the historic centre: on squares, in trading domes and in madrasa courtyards. If you want to see the city not as a museum but as a living, festive and noisy place, this is one of the best reasons to come.

About the festival

Silk and Spices is an international event devoted to the crafts, cuisine and music of the Silk Road countries. It usually takes place in May or early summer, but the exact dates and programme are announced by the organisers each year, so always check the current listing before booking. Craftspeople, musicians and performers come not only from Uzbekistan but from neighbouring countries too.

What happens here

The craft fair

The heart of the festival is the fair. Masters show gold embroidery (zardozi), carpet weaving, ceramics, copper chasing, silk work, and the making of knives and dolls. Many are happy to explain the technique and show how things are made. It is a good chance to buy a souvenir straight from the maker without paying middlemen.

Concerts and performances

Stages feature folk music, maqom, dance and theatrical shows. Participants perform in costumes of different eras, and in the evening the city centre hosts staged shows with illuminated monuments.

Silk and textiles

Silk gets special attention: you can see how silkworms are raised, thread is reeled and cloth is woven. Fashion shows of atlas silk, adras and ikat are a highlight.

Spices and food

The festival's name is no accident: the rows sell spices, teas, dried fruit, nuts and sweets. You can try plov, samsa, flatbread and Bukharan dishes and chat with cooks. Ask how to tell real saffron, how to choose spices for plov and how to store them at home.

Where events happen

The main venues are in the old town: near Lyabi-Hauz, the trading domes and around the Ark fortress. You can walk it all, but wear comfortable shoes, because the paving is uneven. To grasp the scale, allow at least half a day for the fair and another evening for concerts.

How to prepare

Accommodation

During the festival Bukhara's hotels and guesthouses fill up and prices rise. Book several weeks ahead, or better a couple of months, especially if you want to stay in the old town. If it is full, look at options 10 to 15 minutes by car from the centre.

Weather

In May it is usually warm by day but the heat is still bearable, and evenings are pleasant. Bring a hat, water and sunscreen. At midday it helps to shelter in the shade of the domes.

Money and shopping

The fair often takes cash, so bring a small amount in sums. Haggling is normal, but go gently with makers who craft things themselves: the price reflects labour. Ask what an item is made of, and request paperwork if you buy something expensive such as a carpet.

Photos

Ask permission before photographing craftspeople and visitors in costume. They usually agree with a smile, though sometimes they ask you to buy a souvenir.

Getting to Bukhara

It is easy to reach Bukhara from Tashkent: about 600 km, a few hours by train and usually 7 to 8 hours by car with stops. People choose the Tashkent to Bukhara route when they need a convenient departure time, luggage space and stops on the way. From Samarkand, the Samarkand to Bukhara route is about 270 km, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.

During the festival train tickets can sell out ahead of time. In the Yo'ldosh app, drivers publish trips, you book a seat and see the driver's verified profile. If you plan to return late in the evening after a concert, agree on the time in advance.

Building your schedule

1. Arrival day. Settle in, stroll the old town, have dinner in a courtyard.
2. Day two. Craft fair in the morning, museums and the Ark by day, a concert in the evening.
3. Day three. Ceramics or embroidery workshops, a walk through the trading domes, shopping.
4. Spare time. If you have it, visit the surroundings: the mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshband or Gijduvan with its ceramics workshops.

Things to keep in mind

• The festival is noisy and crowded, so watch your belongings and documents.
• Drink more water and do not skip breakfast.
• Clothing should be covered when entering mosques and madrasas.
• The programme can change: check the listings on site.
• Do not buy "antiques" from random people: exporting some items is regulated.

Bottom line

Silk and Spices is a convenient reason to see how Bukhara lives, with music, crafts and the scent of spices. Arrive with time to spare, book lodging early and choose the transport you prefer. You can find trips on the pages for Tashkent to Bukhara and Samarkand to Bukhara.

Cover photo: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.