Samarkand

Samarkand, one of Central Asia’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, is a dazzling jewel of Uzbekistan, renowned for its rich history, architectural splendour, and cultural significance. Founded in the 8th century BCE, it flourished as a key hub along the Silk Road, linking China with the Mediterranean. The city reached its zenith under the Timurid empire in the 14th and 15th centuries when Timur (Tamerlane) made it his capital, commissioning grandiose monuments that still stand today.
At the heart of Samarkand lies the majestic Registan square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site framed by three intricately tiled madrasas - Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori. Nearby, the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, Timur’s final resting place, showcases a stunning turquoise dome and exquisite interior calligraphy. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once among the Islamic world’s largest, reflects Timur’s ambition, while the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis mesmerises with its rows of ornate, cobalt-tiled tombs.
Samarkand’s culture is a vibrant tapestry of Persian, Turkic, and Mongol influences, evident in its crafts, music, and cuisine. The city is famed for its silk-weaving, ceramics, and sumptuous plov, a staple dish. Economically, it thrives on tourism, textiles, and agriculture, particularly fruit and wine production, a legacy of its fertile soil and favourable climate.
How to get to Samarkand
Samarkand can be conveniently reached by train. It also has an international airport with flights mainly to Russia, Turkey and the Middle East.
Accommodation
There are countless hotels, bookable via international hotel booking portals.