The June 2023 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) saw the launch of a brand-new series, The Big Trip, which offers practical advice on how to plan a trip to some of the world’s most out-there attractions.  

The first in the series explores Silk Road routes through Central Asia, from ornate mausoleum complexes to cities packed with Soviet architecture. 

The old trade routes of the Silk Road give travellers endless options to explore central Asia, from lake-scattered mountain plateaus to ornate mausoleum complexes and lively cities packed with Soviet architecture. 
 
History buffs and architecture lovers often focus on Uzbekistan, where preserved mosques and madrasas hide behind fortress walls, and Soviet-era architectural oddities can be found. Trekkers and mountaineers turn towards Kyrgyzstan, a country of snowy peaks and a proud nomadic heritage. Kazakhstan blends the two, with a few attractive Silk Road ruins and impressive landscapes that make it an easy choice to add to any itinerary. The legendary, mountain-backed Pamir Highway — one of the world’s most epic road trips and the northern segment of the ancient Silk Road, described by Marco Polo in the 13th century — lies mostly within Tajikistan’s borders, but travellers intent on seeing it will have to contend with access restrictions and safety concerns. 

You can read the full feature on nationalgeographic.com.