Destination 》Asia 》Central Asia 》Uzbekistan 》Samarkand
Year Visited: 2019 – September
Samarkand was my first stop in Uzbekistan, I took a shared taxi from Panjakent, Tajikistan to the border of Uzbekistan and from the border took another shared taxi to the Registan in Samarkand. It took less than two hours of total travel time, including time at the borders for immigration and customs.
Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. It is one of the three iconic Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan, other two must visit ancient cities are Bukhara and Khiva.
Samarkand is packed with astonishing Muslim architecture as it was the capital of Timur empire during 14th century. Previously, Samarkand was ruled by the Mongols under Genghis Khan after he conquered it in 1220 before that the city was taken by Alexander the Great in 329 BC. Samarkand has stunning list of well-preserved and restored sites, many of them protected under UNESCO World heritage.
Gur-e-Amir: a mausoleum of Timur, built in 1404, the model for great Moghul architecture tombs, including Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, India and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Visit this place before sunrise to witness amazing before-glow.
Shah-i-Zinda: Necropolis for many rulers and their family. It is a long avenue of tombs and mausoleums dedicated to royal family and court (9th – 19th century).
Registan: It is one the WoW! moment in my life. No words can describe it, no picture can give proper justice to this monument. The three madrasas (Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla Kari) that make up the Registan are the most incredible buildings in Central Asia.
Photos below are of the Registan after dark, the place looks magnificent!
After 4 days in this amazing city, took a fast train to Bukhara, my next stop on the ancient Silk Road.
Window on the World 