Situated just west of the old town of Bukhara lies a significant ensemble of buildings, constructed over the remains of Chor Bakr and his family. As one of the four Abu Bakrs - descendants of Mohammed - Chor Bakr lived in this area in the 10th century. In the 16th century, a large madrassa and mausoleum was constructed to honor him, and from that day forward has grown to encompass more and more, often termed the City of the Dead.

When we visited in the heat of summer, we were surprised to find such a peaceful atmosphere, with peacocks roaming, shady spots waiting, and the friendly folk all coming to say hi. An iman, with a wide smile, told us to come join him in a shady spot. He then brought out dozens of pigeons, and placing them on our and his heads and arms, made everyone smile. Soon a small commotion formed with pilgrims paying their respects, all filled with the simple joy the birds brought. We found this spontaneous joy everywhere in Uzbekistan, a nation still very much keeping alive the Silk Road hospitality. As of 2023, Chor Bakr became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as park of the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor.