×

Uzbekistan🇺🇿 | attractionsKhiva Juma MosqueElm column forest, roof light wells, brick minaret | things to do and best time to go

Explore Itchan KalaExplore Amir Timur Museum

Backpacking in Khiva Juma Mosque
👍 Recommendedattraction ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Walk in at opening and the forest of carved wooden columns is yours, with dim light filtering down from two square openings in the roof. The mosque sits in the middle of Ichan-Kala, the walled inner town of Khiva in Khorezm region, western Uzbekistan, a short stroll from the Kalta Minor minaret. Entry is cheap, and an Ichan-Kala ticket often covers it, so ask before buying twice. It stays quiet early because tour groups visit the big madrasas first, so go before they reach the lanes. Skip the guide patter and just stand still among the columns for ten minutes. Unlike Bukhara’s Kalon Mosque, which towers over a plaza, this one hides its size inside.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Uzbekistan Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 attraction in UzbekistanWhat sets this place apart

Go for the 213 carved wooden columns, the thing you came to Khiva to feel rather than photograph. No other mosque in Uzbekistan has a hall like it, a flat-roofed forest of timber where each trunk has its own pattern, and a few are said to date back to the 10th century. Your eyes adjust slowly, and that slow adjustment is half the experience.

It is also a useful stop on a Silk Road route through the Khorezm oasis. After the blue-tiled showpieces, the plain brick exterior shows an older, humbler Central Asian building tradition. The hall is cool when the town outside is baking, and it takes little time, so it fits easily between bigger monuments.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The Column Hall: the main attraction, with 213 elm and mulberry-type wooden pillars supporting a flat roof. Each one differs in shape and carving, and the rhythm of them in the half-dark is unlike any other mosque interior.
  2. The Oldest Columns: a handful of pillars are said to be from the 10th century and others from later centuries. Look for the worn, darker wood with shallow, weathered carving and compare it with the sharper 18th-century work.
  3. The Carved Doors and Capitals: many columns end in ornate wooden capitals and some stand on stone bases. Crouch down to see how each base differs.
  4. The Light Wells: two openings in the roof let in pale light and a little air, creating pools of brightness on the floor. Stand under one in the morning for the best effect.
  5. The Minaret: a slim brick tower about
… read more 👉
  1. The Column Hall: the main attraction, with 213 elm and mulberry-type wooden pillars supporting a flat roof. Each one differs in shape and carving, and the rhythm of them in the half-dark is unlike any other mosque interior.
  2. The Oldest Columns: a handful of pillars are said to be from the 10th century and others from later centuries. Look for the worn, darker wood with shallow, weathered carving and compare it with the sharper 18th-century work.
  3. The Carved Doors and Capitals: many columns end in ornate wooden capitals and some stand on stone bases. Crouch down to see how each base differs.
  4. The Light Wells: two openings in the roof let in pale light and a little air, creating pools of brightness on the floor. Stand under one in the morning for the best effect.
  5. The Minaret: a slim brick tower about 33 meters tall, built during the 1788 rebuilding. You can climb it for a small extra fee for a view across Ichan-Kala’s domes and rooftops.
  6. The Plain Brick Exterior: the outer walls are simple, almost fortress-like, which makes the interior a surprise. Walk around the outside and find how little decoration there is.
  7. The Lanes Around the Mosque: the surrounding streets of Ichan-Kala are walkable and good for people-watching, with craft stalls and old doorways.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes inside, or about an hour if you climb the minaret and wander the surrounding lanes.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Khiva Juma Mosque

Guided Tour to Ancient Fortresses and Cotton Fields with a Local

Guided Tour to Ancient Fortresses and Cotton Fields with a Local

5.0(54) 6h
From €88
per personViator
Uzbekistan 6 Days Private Tour Khiva-Bukhara-Samarkand by Train

Uzbekistan 6 Days Private Tour Khiva-Bukhara-Samarkand by Train

5.0(5) 144h
From €326
per personViator
Daytrip to Ancient Fortresses / Sunset in the Desert Fortress

Daytrip to Ancient Fortresses / Sunset in the Desert Fortress

4.5(2) 6h
From €70
per personViator
Khiva Private Airport Transfers

Khiva Private Airport Transfers

5.0(1)
From €45
per personViator
Multi Day Combo Tour to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

Multi Day Combo Tour to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

5.0(1) 264h
From €1,992
per personViator
One night in desert and fortresses

One night in desert and fortresses

5.0(1) 48h
From €166
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Spring (April to May): Highs of 22 to 32°C (72 to 90°F) make the 213 wooden columns of the hall comfortable to wander, and the days run long, with light until about 8 pm by May. Tour groups arrive, but the mosque stays quiet.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs of 38 to 42°C (100 to 108°F) are common. The dim, shaded hall is a welcome retreat, though the streets outside are brutal at midday. Hotel rates dip.
  • Autumn (September to October): Highs of 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), clear skies and the busiest crowds. Prices peak.
  • Winter (November to March): Lows of -8 to 0°C (18 to 32°F), short days (light fades near 5 pm) and few visitors. Rooms are cheapest.
Arrive when the doors open, since the light shafts through the roof openings are best before the tour buses show up.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutUzbekistan Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Uzbekistan
The digital guide (246 pages) contains:
✅ 74 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Uzbekistan

The walled inner town, Ichan Kala, is the best base, because the Juma Mosque sits in the middle of it and every guesthouse is a few minutes on foot. Staying inside the walls means you can walk out at dawn, before day-trip groups arrive from Urgench, and see the lanes empty. Small family-run guesthouses in converted courtyard houses dominate the area, with rooftop terraces facing the minarets, shared breakfast tables and easy chats with other solo travelers. Dorm beds are scarce, so private rooms at budget rates are the norm, and booking ahead in spring and autumn is wise. The streets near the … read more 👉
The walled inner town, Ichan Kala, is the best base, because the Juma Mosque sits in the middle of it and every guesthouse is a few minutes on foot. Staying inside the walls means you can walk out at dawn, before day-trip groups arrive from Urgench, and see the lanes empty. Small family-run guesthouses in converted courtyard houses dominate the area, with rooftop terraces facing the minarets, shared breakfast tables and easy chats with other solo travelers. Dorm beds are scarce, so private rooms at budget rates are the norm, and booking ahead in spring and autumn is wise. The streets near the West Gate (Ota Darvoza) are the liveliest, with cafes and tea houses that stay open into the evening. The area just outside the East Gate, Dishan Kala, is quieter and cheaper, with local homestays and a 5 to 10 minute walk to the mosque. Both are safe, and lanes are well lit.
Best hostels in Uzbekistan


Best quality hotels in Uzbekistan

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Expect to spend roughly US$30 to 55 a day in Khiva, with the mosque itself among the cheaper parts of the budget. Ichan Kala charges a ticket, and prices are quoted in Uzbek soum, with US$ equivalents shown here.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Private rooms in family guesthouses, breakfast usually included
Ichan Kala ticketUS$4 to 8Covers entry to the walled town and the Juma Mosque; museum and minaret climbs cost extra
Extra sightsUS$1 to 3Minaret climbs and small museums charge separate fees
FoodUS$6 to 12Soups, noodles and plov in tea houses, with a sit-down dinner in the old town costing more
Local transportUS$0 to 3Everything is walkable inside the walls; a taxi to the station costs a little
Total Daily BudgetUS$30 to 55Per person, per day, in high season.


source: uzbekistan.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 30 to 45 minutes inside the Juma Mosque itself, longer if you like to photograph the carved columns. Most travelers spend one full day in Khiva and two nights, which covers the mosque, the Kalta Minor minaret and the city walls at sunset. The mosque lies in the center of Ichan Kala, a short walk from the West Gate.
For most backpackers, yes, since the mosque comes with the Ichan Kala ticket, roughly US$4 to 8. The forest of 213 carved wooden columns, some dating back to the 10th century, is unlike anything else in Uzbekistan. Some travelers also pay a small extra fee to climb the minaret at the mosque.
Fly or take a train to Urgench, then travel the 30 to 35 km to Khiva by shared taxi or marshrutka for US$1 to 3 (about 45 minutes). Trains from Tashkent take around 18 to 20 hours, and Urgench airport has flights from Tashkent in about 2 hours. Once in Khiva, the mosque is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the West Gate.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Uzbek attractions near Khiva Juma Mosque

Explore more nearby:

  • Itchan Kala—Kalta Minor, 213 wooden columns, rampart walks| 0 km away
  • Savitsky Museum—Banned avant-garde canvases, Karakalpak silver, Aral paintings| 136 km away
  • Po-i-Kalyan—Kalyan Minaret, 288-dome mosque, floodlit plaza| 386 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Uzbekistan including Khiva Juma Mosque and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all Uzbekistan has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Uzbekistan
Country photo of Uzbekistan
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Come in the first hour after opening, ideally in spring or autumn, when the shafts of light from the roof openings are soft and the hall is cool. Summer midday brings tour groups and heat outside, so duck in here to cool off. Bring a small coin for the minaret and take your shoes off quietly.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Uzbekistan. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story