How do I book a Mizdakhan Guide?

Tap any Book Now or WhatsApp button. Send your preferred date, group size, and interests — we reply quickly and confirm your tour of the Mizdakhan Necropolis.

How do I visit Mizdakhan from Nukus?

Mizdakhan is about 40 minutes from Nukus by car, on the western edge of Khodjeyli in Karakalpakstan. A private taxi or guided transfer is the simplest way for most travelers.

What should I wear and bring?

Comfortable closed shoes, sun protection, water, and modest clothing for pilgrimage areas. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit Karakalpakstan.

Are tours available in English and Russian?

Yes. Guides can host tours in English and Russian. Tell us your preferred language when you message on WhatsApp.

Is there an entrance fee to Mizdakhan?

Access to the complex is generally free. Small donations to caretakers may be appreciated at certain sacred buildings. Pilgrims often stack seven bricks at Khalifa Yerejep — a living local custom.

2026-01-15

History of Mizdakhan

Explore the history of Mizdakhan (Mizdahkan): a Silk Road city and necropolis near Khodjeyli in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, with roots spanning about 2,400 years.

From Gyaur-Kala to a Silk Road city

Mizdakhan — also spelled Mizdahkan — grew on the western edge of today’s Khodjeyli in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. The oldest core, Gyaur-Kala, rose on a natural mound in the 4th century BCE and later became one of medieval Khorezm’s major cities on the Silk Road.

Arab geographers such as al-Istakhri and al-Maqdisi already knew Mizdakhan in the 10th century. After Mongol disruption, the settlement revived under the Golden Horde with new mausoleums and a living necropolis that pilgrims still visit.

Why the necropolis still matters

The Mizdakhan Necropolis preserves Zoroastrian-era memory alongside Islamic pilgrimage sites — Nazlimkhan Suliw, Shamun Nabi, and Khalifa Yerejep. For travelers, it is one of the most atmospheric heritage landscapes in Uzbekistan travel.