The-stans are formed out of five former Soviet republics are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, giving the region a total population of about 70 million.

Is Central Asia only for those who are seeking pilgrimage?

Why in the world would I want to visit Central Asia? Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan …. Kyrgyzstan …. what is there to see? To do? Hey …isn’t it near Afghanistan? Hey isn’t it a land with many mountains, dry and rocky land? I understand that it is largely for pilgrimage visits …..

This might come to many people’s mind when they first hear about countries called “the Stans”. Yes and no is the answer to the questions above. Central Asia is currently picking up as “the” destination in 2018. Trending? A definite yes. Especially among the trekking enthusiasts naming places such as Alay Valley the trekking utopia.

The-stans are formed out of five former Soviet republics are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, giving the region a total population of about 70 million. The lands are wild and especially its people are beautifully still retaining its authentic ethnic cultures. Untouched by the hoards of tourism, as before only a handful of people travel there for leisure. Most travelers to these regions are there for business as countries like Kazakhstan are rich in natural resources such as oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper …etc. Today, you can see a heavy Russian influence being countries in the former Soviet Union. With an average of 15 – 20% Russian Orthodox as their religion in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Is it worth the journey there for leisure? Certainly yes! It opens up another world. One less known, as you do not often hear about it in news media regarding these parts in the past. Not only is there a wealth of ancient sites to explore. After all Central Asia is one of the main crossroads for the Silk Road. Birthing wealthy cities in those days such as the 2,500 years old Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, both of which are currently UNESCO World Heritage cities.

No doubt ancient Samarkand is known for its peak as the centre for Islamic studies. But the stark diversity is in its lands and people. The steppe is truly beautiful, a treeless and mountainous grassland. With streams, the occasional rivers and the beautiful lakes which have been formed by alpine waters. After all these are landlocked countries. Hence it is known as harshlands.

The blood that flows through the people of Central Asia are truly unique. Blood from the rich Persian-Iranian heritage, after being conquered by Genghis Khan mixing the Mongolian heritage and also the blond and blue of Russian blood. The evidence are shown in the many features as well as the local cultures in each sub-tribes. There are still many who live a semi-nomadic life. Choosing as their ancestors once did, to live in yurts, taming horses and hawks. They say the young rides the horses even before one can walk …….with a heritage as such, how can they not?

Travel there and experience it for yourself!

Video Credit to Greg Snell