Khiva is considered as one of the ancient cities of the Turkic peoples and managed to preserve its originality. 
In 1990, one district of Khiva, Ichan-Kala, was declared as a historical monument of world importance by UNESCO. In 2020-2021 Khiva received the status of the “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World”.
Along with Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent and Termez Khiva is considered as one of the ancient centers of Central Asia. According to archaeological data, Khiva was founded over 2500 years ago. In 1997 Khiva celebrated its 2500th anniversary.
Khiva occupies a special place in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a on of the center of world civilization and one of the important cities on the Great Silk Road.
Khiva has experienced ups and downs in its history. The city was conquered by the Achaemenid state. From 305 to 995 Khiva was part of the Khorezm state.
In 995, Mamun ibn Muhammad came to power and founded a new dynasty of Khorezmshahs Mamunids with its capital in Kunya-Urgench. During this period lived the scientist Al Khorezmi – a great mathematician and founder of classical algebra. Al Beruni and Ibn Sina worked together at the Mamun Academy and left an unshakeable imprint on the history of science and education of the Turkic peoples. 
In 1017, Khorezm became dependent on Mahmud Gaznevi.
In the second half of the 11th century, Khiva became the part of the Seljuk Empire. In 1097, the Anushteginid dynasty came to power. 
During this period, the city was the center of culture and education. There were many educational institutions and major scientific centers in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, etc. here.
A huge scientific heritage was left by Al-Biruni, Najm ad-din Kubra and other scientists and theologians, whose names are also associated with Khorezm. Another famous Khorezmian Turkic poet was Hafiz Khorezmi, who in 1353 wrote a poem in the Turkic language “Muhabbat-name”.
In 1220 the city was destroyed by Genghis Khan.
In 14th century Khiva was part of the Timurids Empire.
In 1511 Khiva became part of the Sheibanid state, and in 1598 the city became the capital of the Khiva Khanate. 
The flourishing of Khiva as a big city, as well as construction of monumental architectural structures took place in the 18th - early 20th centuries, when the Uzbek Kungrat dynasty ruled the state. 
In 1763, Muhammad Amin came to power in Khorezm. Khiva quickly became the spiritual center of Central Asia. Thanks to him, the world saw many restored buildings, including the walls and towers of Ichan-Kala and the famous Juma Mosque.
In the middle of the 19th century, the defensive circle of Dishan-Kala was built on the initiative of Allakuli Khan. Thus, Khiva combines two cities in one: the outer Dishan-Kala and the inner Ichan-Kala.
During the reign of Muhammad Amin Khan (1845-1855), the largest madrasah named after him was built in Khiva.
The main attractions of Khiva:
- Minaret Kalta -Minor - this magnificent massive attraction on the main street inside the fortress is the hallmark of Khiva;
- Madrassah of Muhammad Amin Khan - is one of the largest madrasahs in Central Asia, which was built by order of Muhammad Amin Khan;
- Islam-Khoja minaret - the highest minaret in Uzbekistan, which rises above Khiva to a height of 57 meters;
- Juma Mosque - this attraction is unique not only for Khiva, but also for Uzbekistan, and even throughout Central Asia;
- The walls of the Ichan-Kala fortress - most of the perimeter still rises to a height of 10 meters, and powerful gates oriented to the cardinal points have been preserved;
- Tash-Khovli – is considered one of the most picturesque places in the list of 10 best sights of Khiva;
- Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud - In the XIII-XIV centuries;
- Watchtower of the Kunya -Ark citadel - the fortress was first built in the 12th century, although the architecture that we see today mainly belongs to the beginning of the 19th century;
- Madrassah of Allakuli Khan - one of the largest religious schools in Khiva was built in 1835.