Getting to Merv is the hard part, but this Ancient Silk Road City is definitely worth a look by seasoned travellers. I think the term “City of the Dead.” perfectly suits Merv. Tombs litter the whole place – old and new. Remember that almost a million people were slaughtered here by the Mongols. The Mongols almost left no trace of the magnificent city. Only what remains of its ruins, mounds and walls gives us an idea of how vast and great Merv was during its prime. Merv was the crown jewel of the lost Khorasan Empire.  Merv was never able to get back on its feet after the Mongol rampage. All we have are its ruins and its legends.