Bukhara is the tourist trap of Uzbekistan and I can see why. Some of the architecture dates backs 3000 years (Although most was destroyed by Ghengis Khan) So the majority is just over 500 years old. It has a real charm and authenticity although the main square which is decidedly more recent is full of shops and restaurants.
Whilst tourism is undoubtedly Economically good in the long term, it also irrevocably damages both the social and physical aspects of a city or town. Local residents are usually forced out, either by the government or rising rents and changes are made to the architecture to accommodate large groups and the ever increasing numbers of travellers. It doesn’t take long until the original destination is no longer a tangible reality and the true draw of why people originally came is lost forever. Tour groups usually expect a certain standard of hospitality so 20 homes are knocked down for a new 4 star hotel! I can see that it has happened here. It’s a shame, if people made do with accommodations that was more akin to the actual country they are visiting then perhaps more homestays and B&B’s would thrive, leaving the original architecture intact.
I know that as a backpacker, everyone is looking for that magical place that is perfectly picturesque, charming, steeped in history yet undiscovered by the masses. This rarely happens. If those magical 4 ingredients are combined then it’s going to have tacky tourist shops and ‘folk shows’.
