Khiva silk carpet workshop

The traditions of Khiva are tightly woven to the carpet crafts that have been practiced here for centuries, and even today it's an important cultural attraction for travellers in Uzbekistan. When you visit Khiva, you too can go on a magic carpet ride and explore the mystic crafting process of silk carpets.

Throughout Khiva and Itchan Kala, traditional carpets are sold in the bazaars, but stopping by a silk carpet workshop will give you the chance to observe how carpet makers work. You will be able to learn more about the crafting techniques, from weaving to dyeing, with local women who make a living from producing these traditional rugs.

The high-quality carpets of Khiva are all designed and inspired by the customary patterned and coloured tiles you can spot during a visit to the region. In many other areas, the decorations on rugs resemble indistinct chapes, but Khivan carpets often present clear designs of flowers and plants that match the iconography on the captivating tiles adorning local architecture.

Did you realise some of these intricate carpets take months to create? What makes this attraction even more impactful is knowing you can support the local women artisans who channel their generations of ancestral knowledge into crafting the perfect piece for you to take home!