Central Asia Travel Blog
Travel guides, itineraries, abandoned places, street art and off-the-beaten-path places in Central AsiaHello and welcome to our Central Asia travel blog. You will find all our Central Asia blog posts in this section of our website.
With Russia to the north, Central Asia reaches from China and Mongolia to its east, towards the Caspian Sea in the west and commonly comprises of five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Often nicknamed ‘the ‘Stans’, these nations are part of the former Soviet Union.
Together we have explored Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan and these are the Central Asian countries we currently cover. Mark has also travelled around Uzbekistan. We were due to return to the region in 2020 but those plans were quashed.
Maybe you found our Central Asia travel blog because you are considering a visit to ‘Stans, or perhaps you are partway through planning a trip to Central Asia. Whatever the reason, we hope we can provide some useful resources and travel tips.
Our Central Asia blog posts are generally aimed at independent travellers and backpackers like us and have a strong focus on travelling around using public transport, staying in budget accommodation and exploring off-the-beaten-path and lesser-visited places.
Browse all of our Central Asia blog posts
Or head directly to a specific country: Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Tajikistan
World Smile Day 2020: Twenty smiles to brighten your day
In celebration of World Smile Day, a photo essay featuring some of the smiling faces we have encountered during our travels around Asia.
In Photos: Abandoned cars and other forsaken forms of transport
Photos abandoned cars and other battered vehicles. The faded beauty of neglected vehicles from the UK to Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan to Cuba.
In photos: Lenin statues in the former Soviet Union
Photographs of Lenin statues in the former Soviet Union. These fifteen monuments to Lenin are still standing in the former USSR.
A Short History of the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1991
A short history of the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1991. A guide for those travellers to the former USSR who want to learn about the history of the region.
In photos: Twenty-five examples of Soviet mosaics in the former USSR
Photographs of some of our favourite examples of Soviet mosaics in the former USSR. These mosaics are perfect examples of art in post-Soviet states.
In photos: twenty-five examples of Soviet modernism in the former USSR
Photographs of some of the best examples of Soviet modernism in the former USSR, plus a brief explanation of this genre of architecture.
Central Asia itinerary: Almaty to Dushanbe overland
Almaty to Dushanbe: an itinerary for independent travellers to Central Asia, starting in Kazakhstan continuing overland through Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Back in the U.S.S.R. …
Photo essay and thoughts on a new found admiration for unapologetic Soviet and communist-era architecture or the former U.S.S.R.
Recommended Hotels and Homestays in Central Asia
A directory of recommended homestays we experienced during our travels in Central Asia, covering Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
What to do on and around Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan
A guide for independent travellers to Lake Issyk-Kul – suggestions on what to do on and around one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful attractions.
Soviet-era architecture in Almaty, Kazakhstan
A guide to the Soviet-era architecture in Almaty including a map with the locations of the buildings and some history about the style of architecture.
Witnessing Nomadic Horse Games in Kyrgyzstan
One of the most intriguing things about the nomadic tribes in Kyrgyzstan is their traditional sports: Central Asian games focus on horsemanship and power.