Urgench

Urgench is the modern capital of Khorezm Region — most travelers arrive here by air from Tashkent before transferring 30 km west to Khiva. The city itself is a Soviet-era grid of broad boulevards, but the surrounding Kyzylkum desert hides the impressive ruins of Ayaz-Kala, Toprak-Kala and Kyzyl-Kala desert fortresses.