Despite being only a few dozen meters away from Bukhara‘s historic core, the quiet, narrow alleys surrounding it feel far away from the bustle of the vibrant city center listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Only the outlines of the madrasas and the Kalyan Minaret rising above the rooftops function as a quiet reminder of one’s location.

So far, these backstreets have remained largely untouched by Uzbekistan’s tourism boom. Yet as space becomes scarcer and prices rise, it is uncertain how long this seemingly unbothered atmosphere of local resident life can endure.

Credit: Niels Hildebrandt (Germany, @nl_hldbr_photobox)