It was the final oasis settlement on the Silk Road before caravans crossed the desert to Persia. Its thick defensive walls and nine gates provided security and allowed the city to thrive as a cultural and commercial hub.

While the site dates back over two millennia, most of the present walls were rebuilt in the late 17th century. The surviving mosques, madrasahs, and palaces mostly originated in the 18th–19th centuries. 

Yes—around 300 families live within its walls, maintaining workshops and artisanal traditions. The old town remains active with bazaars, homes, and cultural life, blending living history with restoration.

Stroll the maze-like, narrow streets lined with glaze-tiled minarets and madrasa facades. Visit the bustling traditional bazaar, dine on rooftops, climb watchtowers at sunset, and soak in the architectural harmony of a centuries-old oasis city .