What is Central Asia known for? There are tall mountains, historic Silk Road towns, wandering cultures, friendly locals, and Soviet-style hangover experiences. It's located in the Asian continent. The "Stans." Although the region's history is occasionally misunderstood, a visit could improve your understanding of it. I'm sure you'll be happy you did. Central Asia is hard to beat for unique and amazing tourism. Since many of the countries in the region are still developing their tourism industries, you might not find the fully developed facilities you might find in other parts of Asia. Central Asia continues to be one of our most rewarding and favorite travel destinations. Here are a few places and events that show why.

What are the Stans in Central Asia?

The term "Stans," which is used to refer to Central Asia nowadays, could be taken as insulting. It includes most of the mountains and deserts between the borders with China to the east and the Caspian Sea to the west. It consists of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. They are also collectively called the "-stans" because all of the countries' names end in "-stans," a Persian suffix meaning "land of" in both their respective native and other languages. Perhaps you're wondering which Stan is the best to visit. View all 11 of the Top Places in Central Asia below:

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara is a favorite Silk Road city because it feels like a living historical site. Many of the city's places are still in use today and are regularly connected to modern life. People still live in many of the historic buildings, and bargaining between shoppers and sellers takes place in the same traditional market areas as it did a thousand years ago. When you've had enough of the architecture of the Silk Road, check out the newest and friendliest market outside the city.

Baikonur, Kazakhstan

Baikonur is the only place where humans launch the International Space Station (ISS). The first spaceport in history is located there. Visit the Russian-run cosmodrome to learn about the history of space travel. The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova, and the British astronaut Tim Peake was the next to go into space. Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. Visit the Space Museum and sit in the destroyed Buran spacecraft to learn about the history of the Soviet and Russian space programs.

Issy Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

The calm waters of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk Kul Lake mirror the high peaks of the Tien Shan. The name "warm lake," which refers to the salty waters of the second-largest glacial lake in the world, originates from the fact that the lake's waters never freeze, even during the winter when temperatures fall below zero. Explore the peaceful beach to discover 7th-century BC prehistoric petroglyph rock carvings. You can also see the Dungan Mosque, which takes inspiration from Buddhism, and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral by traveling to the neighboring city of Karakol.

Kazakhstan's Darvaza

Black and red flames shine brightly against the dark sky in the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan. Sitting in camp at the edge of the Darvaza Crater, it's not hard to be fascinated by the amazing display of fire. Geologists think the flaming spherical void, also known as the "door-to-hell," formed when a natural gas field collapsed and was set on fire to release the gas. Fifty years later, it is still burning brightlya sight you will never forget!

Nur-Sultan, Astana, Kazakhstan

Experience a sense of time travel as you wander through the center of Nur-Sultan, formerly known as Astana. Almost built from the ground up since 1998, Kazakhstan's modern capital is home to large glass-domed shopping malls, soaring skyscrapers, and other architectural wonders. Explore the National Museum's blue-glass and white-marble cubist building to learn about Kazakh history, see the gilded minarets of the Nur Astana Mosque, and ascend 100 meters to the summit of Bayterek Tower for expansive city views.

The Aralsk region of Kazakhstan

Rusting ships sprinkle an otherwise quiet desert that the Aral Sea, the fourth-biggest lake in the world, once flooded. Due to Soviet irrigation channels built in the 1960s, the Aral waters entirely dried up and became landlocked, leaving the village of Aralskonce a famous fishing porthigh and dry. Take a 4WD tour of the former sea bed and visit the local museum to learn about the history of the disaster and the efforts to restore water to the area.

Khiva, Uzbekistan

Explore the turreted walls of Khiva's Old Citadel, which was an important Silk Road trading hub in the 1800s. You'll think you've walked onto the set of "Arabian Nights" movie. Old towers grow to the skies and from the sand desert rise structures covered in elaborate mosaic tiles in every possible shade of blue. Discover the colorful bazaars and ascend the Dzhuma Minaret steps for sweeping views of this astonishingly preserved medieval city.

The Fann Mountains and Seven Lakes of Tajikistan

We start early and head up into the sheer valleys of Tajikistan's magnificent Fann Mountains. The highest peaks are hidden by a dusting of white snow, and the rocky flanks rise into the clouds. Hiking into the Seven Lakes region reveals a wealth of alpine lakes surrounded by magnificent mountains. The steep hillsides create shadows over the beaches of the lakes, which change from bright blue to appealing blue as the sun moves across their mirror-like waters.

South Ossetia, Samarkand

Ceramic walls in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, shine in the brilliant sunlight, and aquamarine domes soar above the golden city skyline. See Registan Square for the enormous blue arch of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the exquisitely tiled madrasah doors. Explore the tiny, flowing lanes on foot to get a true sense of the local way of life. Take a look around the busy bazaar, which is stuffed with delicious dried apricots, juicy dates, and fresh bread.

The Wakhan Corridor in Tajikistan

Walk off the main road and explore the mountainous Wakhan Valley region. Split between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, enormous areas of green peaks are surrounded by sharply inclined golden hillsides that soar high into the sky. Formerly used as a trade route, this hidden corridor served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires during the "Great Game." Now, that route is the Pamir Highway, which takes us to Ishkashim, where we enjoy some of the local food and watch talented musicians and Wakhi dancers perform.

Silk Road

The Silk Road passes through many "Stans," such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, on its route from East Asia to the Mediterranean. Seeing sights like the ancient walled city of Khiva, the domed bazaars of Bokhara, and the complex mosaics and cobalt-blue tiles of Registan Square in Samarkand will transport you to a bygone era of prosperous global trade.

Conclusion

A more common term for Central Asia is the Stans. This large region, which reaches the Caspian Sea to China, is home to the following nations: Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, with Russia standing tall to the north. What the final letter "stan" means in Persian and Urdu is "land of." Therefore, if you are in Kyrgyzstan, you are in the land of the Kyrgyz. Simple. It's difficult to make general predictions about what to expect from a trip to two or more Stans. Turkmenistan is mostly made up of deserts, whereas Tajikistan is largely made up of mountains. While Uzbekistan offers several Silk Road cities, Kyrgyzstan is the ideal destination for hiking and horseback riding.