Kunya Urgench is about 143 km from Khiva. In its best days it was the bustling capital of Khorezm, known as Gurganj. It was a famous seat of learning during the reign of Khorezm Shahs. The prominent scientists like Avicenna, Al-Beruni and the traveller Ibn Battuta spent some time in Gurganj.
Genghis Khan, annoyed by the killing of his envoy and other nobles, set off on a punitive expedition in 1220 and almost erased the town to ashes. Later, Kunya Urgench was rebuilt and again became the capital of Khorezm and grew into one of the Central Asian major trading cities. In 1388 Tamerlane, considering the city as a rival to Samarkand completely destroyed it.

Sightseeing and excursion
Turabek Khanum Mausoleum - was built in the middle of the 14th century for Turabek who was a Mongol princess. Kutlug Timur Minaret -was built in the 1320s, while the mosque it attended had utterly gone. The highest minaret (67m) in Central Asia is decorated with bands of brick, now leaning noticeably. Arslan II Mausoleum - is the oldest building in Kunya Urgench with 12-faced conical dome and the floral terracotta moulding on the facade. Najmeddin Kubra Mausoleum - is the holiest place in Kunya Urgench. Najmeddin Kubra was a famous 12th to 13th century teacher and poet who founded the Sufi Kubra order. The tombs inside - one is for his body and one for his head, which were separated by the Mongols.Sultan Ali Mausoleum - was erected in 1580 for Sultan Ali who ruled in Khorezm in the 16th century.