Uzbekistan is home to some of the most important centers on the historic Silk Route. In today’s times travelers to Uzbekistan should be cautious of terrorism by Islamic militants and civil unrest in the southern region, and avoid the border areas near Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as they are mined. The prime tourist attractions in Uzbekistan are the cities of Khiva that is actually a museum with mosques, tombs, and palaces, and Moynaq, an erstwhile fishing port. Tourists can also take back home mementoes of Rishdon pottery and also visit the monuments of Timur and Registan, a group of splendid madrassas.