Uzbekistan
Samarkand
7 landmarks4 UNESCO
The crossroads of the Silk Road — Timurid architecture, turquoise domes, and one of the world's oldest cities.
Landmarks
0 / 7 visited
Must-seeUNESCOWorld HeritageRegistan
Three monumental madrasahs surrounding a central square — the heart of Samarkand and the greatest architectural ensemble of the Timurid Renaissance. Built 15th–17th century.
Must-seeUNESCOWorld HeritageShah-i-Zinda
A necropolis of stunning mausoleums with some of the finest tilework in the Islamic world. The name means 'The Living King' — a legend that a cousin of the Prophet is buried here, still alive.
Must-seeUNESCOWorld HeritageGur-e-Amir
The mausoleum of Tamerlane (Timur), who conquered from Turkey to India. Its fluted turquoise dome inspired the Mughal tombs of India — including the Taj Mahal.
UNESCOWorld HeritageBibi-Khanym Mosque
Built by Tamerlane in 1404 to be the greatest mosque in the Islamic world. So ambitious in scale that it began collapsing almost immediately — now masterfully restored.
Historical ArchitectureUlugbek Observatory
Built in 1420 by astronomer-sultan Ulugbek, this observatory produced star catalogues accurate to within seconds — predating modern telescopes. One of the greatest scientific achievements of the medieval world.
MuseumAfrasiab Museum
Built on the ruins of ancient Afrasiab — a city 2,500 years old. The museum's centerpiece is the spectacular 7th-century Sogdian frescoes, showing ambassadors from China, India, and Korea.
Local IconSiab Bazaar
Samarkand's oldest and largest bazaar, in continuous operation for centuries. Famous for non bread (baked in clay ovens), dried fruits, spices, and the sounds of the ancient Silk Road.
