Until recently, most trips to Khiva followed a familiar pattern: arrive, spend a day exploring Itchan Kala, and then continue to the next destination. The new Arda Khiva tourist complex offers a reason to stay a little longer. Here, you can spend an evening after exploring the ancient city, take a masterclass in traditional crafts, attend a festival or concert, stay in one of the hotels, relax at the aquapark, or take a gondola ride.

Although Itchan Kala continues to be Khiva’s main historical attraction, Arda Khiva offers a different experience. Instead of narrow medieval streets, there are wide promenades and canals. Instead of historic caravanserais, there are hotels and modern public spaces. Yet everything here is designed with the region’s history in mind.

Where Does the Name “Arda Khiva” Come From?

The name “Arda Khiva” translates as “port city.” In ancient times, one of the branches of the Amu Darya river flowed near Khiva. Navigation helped develop trade, science, and crafts, turning the region into an oasis of civilization in the middle of the desert. The region was then known as Khorezm.

This part of Khorezm has an exceptionally rich history. When the pyramids were being built in Egypt, writing, astrology, and city-states already existed here. Over thousands of years, the region witnessed the rise and fall of different civilizations: the warriors of Alexander the Great, Zoroastrian Bactria, the Kushan Empire, the Arab Caliphate, the Mongol Horde, the Timurid Renaissance, and the Khiva Khanate. This multilayered past is one of the main themes of Arda Khiva.

Canals, Gondolas, and the Promenade

A two-kilometer canal runs through the complex, with a promenade along its banks. Visitors can walk, relax by the water, or take a gondola ride.

In the evening, a walk along the waterfront can be combined with a visit to the central square, home to a large light and music fountain and regular evening shows.

Festivals and Concerts

For major events, Arda Khiva has a 3,000-seat amphitheater hosting concerts and cultural programs.

The complex also regularly hosts events such as the traditional cuisine festival, fireworks and melon festivals, strongman competitions, carpet and sand sculpture exhibitions, craft festivals, giant puppet shows, and other events.

Visitors can also enjoy immersive shows and theatrical performances featuring actors in historical costumes. These include productions dedicated to the region's past, including ceremonies inspired by Zoroastrian rituals. Special entertainment programs and competitions are organized for children.

Discover the Crafts of Khorezm

The craftsmen's quarter is home to workshops where visitors can watch local artisans and then try creating something themselves.

Master classes are available in wood carving and traditional embroidery. Visitors can make a Khorezm doll or traditional skullcap, shape a pot on a pottery wheel, or decorate ceramics.

Nearby is the Jewelry Complex, dedicated to the art of Khiva's traditional zargar jewelers, whose traditions have been known since the 17th century.

An Eastern Bazaar

After exploring the workshops, visitors can head to the bazaar and souvenir shops. Here, you can find products connected with the culture of Khorezm, including chugurma (a traditional woolen hat), suzani (embroidery), ceramics, and carved wooden items.

Museum: From Ancient Khorezm to the Silk Road

Arda Khiva also has a history museum exploring the origins of Khorezm, the heritage of the Silk Road, Zoroastrian traditions, and the monetary culture of ancient civilizations.

The museum offers five themed tours, each dedicated to a particular subject or historical period.

Aquapark, Sports, and Entertainment

The complex includes an aquapark with indoor and outdoor pools. The outdoor area features a tall spiral waterslide, a children's slide, and a beach volleyball court.

After an active day, visitors can relax at the SPA center.

Sports facilities include karting, a football field, volleyball and basketball courts, and a tennis court.

Umma Park for Children

For families, Umma Park offers a large entertainment area with more than 30 attractions, including trampolines, climbing walls, a ball pit, a puppet theater, an obstacle course, slides, and suspended net tunnels.

This makes Arda Khiva a good choice not only for adult travelers, but also for families looking for things to do after exploring Khiva’s historic sights.

Open-Air Cinema and Historical Costumes

Arda Khiva has an open-air cinema, perfect for an evening after a busy day of sightseeing.

Another unusual attraction is a photo studio with historical costumes, where visitors can try on traditional clothing and take a photo.

Where to Stay?

Arda Khiva was designed as a destination where visitors can spend not just a few hours, but an entire day or even several days. The complex features five hotels, along with villas and guesthouses, offering more than 1,000 rooms in total.

Where to Eat?

The complex has 11 restaurants serving traditional cuisine, as well as coffee shops and teahouses.

For a quicker and more casual meal, visitors can try traditional street food such as samsa, shashlik, kebabs, and freshly baked flatbread.

How to Get to Arda Khiva?

The complex is located 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Itchan Kala.

The nearest airport is in Urgench, approximately 25 km (15.5 mi) from Khiva. Direct flights operate from Almaty, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Istanbul, and Tashkent.

Khiva can also be reached by direct train from Bukhara and Tashkent. During the high tourist season (spring, summer and early fall), it is best to book tickets in advance, especially for high-speed trains.