About Uzbekistan

Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • Chilpyk - Zoroastrian Tower of Silence
  • The age of this Zoroastrian ancient monument - dakhma Chilpyk (Shylpyk, Chilpak Kala) is more than 2200 years. Chilpyk is a round roofless tower, 15 meters high and 65 meters in diameter, built at the top of the rounded natural hill, 43 km away from Nukus. The Zoroastrians used it for burial of the dead. The remains of the deceased were thrown in the tower to the birds of prey. Later the bones were collected in earthenware vessels-ossuaries and dug into the ground. This way of disposal was connected with the Zoroastrian philosophy, which prohibited defiling the land with corrupted bodies.

    Originally the tower had a 20-meter stair with steps cut right in the hill. From the base of the tower there was a passage leading to the river. Around the tower and inside it there were found ossuaries of clay and stone, some of them are displayed today in the museums of Nukus and Tashkent.

    With the advent of the Arabs to these lands (the VII century) the tower was rebuilt for the first time, then during the heyday of ancient Khorezm (the IX-X centuries) again. Some researchers believe that the Khorezmians used Chilpyk as a signal and defense tower along with other fortresses of the Khorezm Shakh State. Chilpyk is one of the bright landmarks of Karakalpakstan - it is even depicted on the coat of arms of the Republic.

    It is better to visit Chilpyk early in the morning until the sun bakes. The fortress offers an excellent view of the surroundings: the full-flowing Amu Darya, sparkling and shimmering in the sun, and surrounded by green fields and gardens, as well as immediately adjacent, wasteland dried under the sun and covered with spots of green and reddish shrubs and salt marshes. Chilpyk has a tripod installed to mark the highest point of the countryside; it is fully covered with ribbons of fabric- the locals tied them for luck and happiness.

    Travelers' choice
    Aral sea tour
    best tourbest price
    Nukus – Usturt Plateau – Sudochie Lake – Aral Sea – Muynak – Mizdak-Khan – Gyaur Qala – Nukus
    $210 2 days
    View details
    A 2-Day adventure tour to Aral Sea, located at the boundary of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. As far back as half a century it was a closed salt-water lake, the Aral Sea was in 4th place on the area among the lakes of the world.
    Sudochie Lake tour
    Nukus – Kungrad – Usturt Plateau – Sudochie Lake – Nukus (600 km – 8 hrs)
    $145 1 days
    View details
    Day tour to Sudochie Lakes - stop at one of the most ecologically intact zones of the Amudariya river delta and a key location for the preservation and maintenance of the biodiversity of the region. The lakes support many breeding waterbird species including rare and disappearing species, all using the Western-Asian migratory route.
    Popular hotels in Nukus
    Rahnamo hotel
    If you're visiting Nukus this is a good hotel to select. Very reasonably priced. Recommended
    Room facilities
    room facilityroom facilityroom facilityroom facilityroom facility
    Massaget hotel
    Good budget hotel with helpful and attentive staff in this remote part of the world. Recommended
    Room facilities
    room facilityroom facilityroom facilityroom facilityroom facility