Samarkand Travel Guide
Samarkand is the jewel of the Silk Road — Timur's blue-domed capital, home to the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda and Gur-e-Amir.
Top sights
- Registan Square — three madrasahs facing each other
- Shah-i-Zinda — the 'Living King' necropolis of turquoise tombs
- Gur-e-Amir — Timur's mausoleum
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque — Timur's giant congregational mosque
- Ulugh Beg Observatory — the 15th-century sextant that measured the year
- Siyob Bazaar — for non bread and fresh fruit
How long to stay
Two full days lets you cover the main sights slowly and see the Registan lit up at night.
Getting there
Afrosiyob train from Tashkent takes 2h 10m. Book 2–4 weeks ahead in high season.