There’s something magical about the Silk Road. It’s not just a trade route; it’s a tapestry woven with stories, cultures, and mysteries that span centuries. When I first dipped my toes into the world of silk road historical fiction , I was instantly hooked. The blend of history and imagination creates a vivid journey that transports you across deserts, bustling bazaars, and ancient cities. It’s like stepping into a time machine, but one that smells of spices and sounds with t

The Silk Road: A Budget Traveller's Guide to Central Asia The Silk Road has fascinated travellers for centuries. Today, it remains a captivating route through Central Asia, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure. For budget travellers, exploring this ancient network of trade routes can be both affordable and rewarding with the right planning. This guide covers everything you need to know about visas, accommodation, transport, key visitor sites, money manag

The Silk Road has long fascinated travelers with its rich history and cultural significance. Today, this ancient network of trade routes is experiencing a fresh wave of interest, driven by new tourism trends that blend history, adventure, and modern experiences. Travelers are no longer just visiting famous landmarks; they seek immersive journeys that connect them deeply with the diverse cultures and landscapes along the Silk Road. Ancient caravanserai ruins along the Silk Roa

Central Asia is a treasure trove of history and culture, often overlooked in favor of its bustling cities and well-trodden tourist paths....

Postcard from Bishkek Ian Claytor ---Republished from Open Central Asia Magazine---- The events of 6th and 7th of April in Bishkek,...

Central Asia is a hidden gem in the travel world, filled with rich history, captivating legends, and cultural treasures waiting to be...

People sometimes described what they read in the Burkhan-i-Kati. "Samar built a "kent" (settlement) on this land and gathered some...

===REPRINT OF ARTICLE BY NICK ROWAN IN OCA MAGAZINE=== Life at the Centre of the New Great Game Open Central Asia interviews Ian Claytor...

The passing of Lady Judge in 2020 was very sad news to hear. She had done so much in the Central Asian arena, particularly in Kazakhstan...

Read the full version of OCA Magazine 40-41-42 Like most people, I watched in horror the events unfolding in Afghanistan during the...

By Nick Rowan Originally published in 2006, this article won the Thesiger Prize in 2007, and reflects on my time in Iran, which ended up...

Reprint of Article First Published in Open Central Asia Magazine Until fairly recently few people in the Western world had heard of...

Buy your copy of Mysterious Asia here. I wish to tell you about the most surprising thing that happened in the great city of Samarkand....

Buy your copy of Mysterious Asia here . Legend about Bibi-Khanym and the snake Much time had passed after the death of the beautiful, kind and wise Bibi-Khanym. Nobody knew about her origin or beliefs; I think she was Russian. She was a gentile and that was known, but nevertheless, she was respected and loved by everybody owing to her kind soul. Emir Timur loved her for that and considered her as a friend. People say that Bibi-Khanym was once visited by a dervish who predict

The legends enclosed in this album are more than just amusing stories once told by imaginative souls in less imaginative coffee houses of...

November 2012 was a special month - it was the first Open Central Asia Book Forum and Literature Festival, held to promote the writers...

Welcome Word Dear Reader, It seems as though Eurasia is taking a fair share of airtime in a world that has plenty of things to talk...

What a delight to come across this interview from 2013, just after my book had been published. I can't recall if it was ever published,...

In the days where we used to meet freely and with wanton abandon, I was lucky enough to hold the book launch for my first book, Friendly...

In a dark and dreary November, Nick launched his new book, The Silk Road Revisited, virtually. While it was unfortunate that he couldn't...