Central Asia is a landlocked region of Asia made up of five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It is a destination that rewards travellers who like wide landscapes and layered cultural histories.
What the landscape offers
The region is shaped by two main features. Much of it is covered by steppes, the open grasslands that stretch across great distances. In the south and east, mountains rise sharply, giving the landscape a very different character. Moving between these settings is one of the pleasures of a visit, as the scenery can change considerably within a single journey.
A history of trade and movement
Central Asia was historically part of the Silk Road trade routes, which linked East and West and carried goods, ideas and people across the continent. Travellers interested in the story of that exchange will find the region a natural place to explore how it shaped daily life and the places that remain today.
Traditions and culture
Nomadic traditions remain part of the region's identity, and they sit alongside strong Persian and Turkic cultural influences. Visitors may notice these in language, music, food and craft, and in the way communities have adapted to both the steppe and the mountains over time.
Planning a visit
- The region spans five separate countries, so a trip can focus on one or move between several.
- Landscapes vary from open steppe to high mountain country, which suits travellers with different interests.
- The Silk Road heritage gives many journeys a historical thread to follow.
Central Asia suits visitors who want to combine open landscapes, mountain scenery and a sense of the old trade routes. Check current travel and entry requirements for each country before you go.
