mUST vISIT pLACES IN sAMARKAND
Imagine entering a realm where the architecture narrates tales of a time when scholars, poets, and warriors once trod the same cobblestone streets as you do, and where the very air whispers tales of old grandeur. Samarkand, the crown gem of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, is a city whose magnificent mosques, mausoleums, and marketplaces are vivid paintings of history. This magnificent city remains cloaked in its past splendor as the capital of the powerful Timurid Empire, which in its heyday stretched across Asia from eastern Turkey to India. Let’s take a tour of the top sights that contribute to Samarkand’s rich cultural legacy
1) Registan Square- The heartbeat of Samarkand
Registan Square captures the spirit of Samarkand and is more than just a location. Encircled by three elaborate madrasahs, it presents a stunning display of Islamic architecture. With its azure domes and elaborate mosaics, the Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori madrasahs offer an absolutely stunning panorama.
I took time strolling around each monument, which retains a sense of bygone regal grandeur while being crowded with gift shops.
Of the two days I stayed in Samarkand, I visited Registan. First in the morning to witness the peaceful complex’s surreal atmosphere; then at night to witness the Registan transformed into a sea of lights. The area comes to life at night with lights everyday at 7 p.m that seem to dance across the old walls, narrating historical tales.
2) Gur-Emir Mausoleum-The Tomb of Kings
Gur-e-Amir, a masterpiece of medieval construction, is the ultimate resting place of Amir Timur, the fearsome conqueror and leader behind Samarkand’s shocking beauty. I was mesmerized by the interior’s gold leaf and lapis lazuli, while its fluted azure dome commands attention from the skyline.
The mausoleum is more than just a place to rest; it’s an elaborately decorated stone chapter from a history book that reflects the opulence of a bygone era. The tilework and dome are particularly beautiful; be sure to return at night when the building is spotlit to grand effect.
3) Bibi-Khanym Mosque-A Monument of Love
One of the largest mosques in the world at the time of construction in the early 15th century.
According to legend, Timur erected the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in order to win his wife over. It still serves as evidence of the continuing power of love today.
The mosque’s remnants are nevertheless striking despite the effects of time, thanks to its enormous arch and mosaics with blue tiles. Its expansive courtyard makes one feel small in the face of history’s timeless love tale.
The courtyard features a massive stone Quran that is said to bring fertility, so don’t be shocked if you see young ladies hiding beneath it.
4) Siab Bazaar-The Spice of Life in Samarkand
Located just outside Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar is a great area to stroll and observe people while taking in the sights and sounds of the city. With clothes, scarves, hats, souvenirs, embroidered bags, ceramics, hand-carved boxes, and delectable delights that are exclusive to Central Asia, it’s also a one-stop shop for stocking up on gifts. It’s a place to mingle with locals, haggle over prices, and taste the flavors that make Uzbek cuisine so delectable.
Don’t forget to try the famous Samarkand bread, a staple that has nourished travelers for centuries and also buy lots of nuts. Ask for the sugar coated almond–my favorite of the bunch.
5) Shah-I-Zinda
When you hear of Samarkand, people immediately think of The Registan, but I thought Shah-i-Zinda was almost as stunning. The buildings, its history, architecture, tile work and colors are fascinating and amazing. One of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Uzbekistan and my personal favorite from Samarkand is the glistening azure corridor of Shakhi-Zinda (The Living King).
About twenty buildings and the tombs of notable royal and religious figures flank either side of the enormous central stairway. The buildings are adorned with hundreds of vibrant tiles. The graves were constructed progressively throughout the course of the 11th and 15th centuries, but their fundamental designs are almost the same, giving the location a regal, homogeneous appearance.
Here on the border of Afrosiab, a shrine dedicated to Qusam, a cousin of the Prophet Mohammed, predated Timur (Tamerlane) by around seven centuries. Later, Ulugbek interred their loved ones close to the original shrine’s sanctity.
6) Khoja Daniyar Complex
Most people are aware of Daniel and the lion’s lair, but not many know that his last resting place is in Samarkand, on the northern border of Afrosiab by the healing spring. Samarkand is said to be protected and blessed by Daniel, or Danyar in Uzbek, who also provides wealth and prosperity to the city.
The mausoleum of Khodja Daniyar is located on the outskirts of Samarkand, on a high bank of the Siab River. Inside it there is an unusual tombstone, the length of which reaches eighteen meters. A spring with healing water flows near the mausoleum. It’s a very beautiful place. Most people skip this place but i can assure you you will have a peaceful and wonderful time there.
7) Meros Paper Mill
A local family in the town of Konigil, just outside of Samarkand, has brought back to life the age-old practice of making paper goods from mulberry trees. Chinese convicts brought the art to the area for the first time in the eighth and ninth centuries, and the locals quickly assimilated it into their culture. Meros Paper Mill, a mostly outdoor institution with a garden, brook, wooden water mill, and tea house that promise peace and leisure after a full day in downtown Samarkand, allows visitors to see this laborious operation from start to finish.
Although creating the all-natural paper products from scratch can be time-consuming, the end product is a robust substance that has a long lifespan—perhaps hundreds of years. Upon completion of the tour, I bought stationery, apparel, accessories, and other products that are only manufactured using mulberry paper. Samarkand to the mill is about a 30-minute drive, which can be scheduled in advance through a travel agency or with a taxi driver in the city. I suggest a full day taxi booking.
