[rmlew]

If you want a Silk Road city check out Samarkhand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samarkand

[elcid1970]

I was deployed to Uzbekistan in 2004, visited Samarqand twice. A fascinating part of the world, pretty much cut off from the outside until recently. Uzbeks proudly told me of their cultural connection with Turkey and with Uighur people.

For a treat, go to youtube.com and input “Three Uyghur Girls from Uzbekistan”. They sing their number with Urumqi in the background.