Freya Sandy, age 21, hometown — Paris, traveller
About Samarkand
No other city evokes such feelings as the miracle of the ancient Silk Road — Samarkand. It is an iconic crossroads between East and West. The place surrounded by many legends and myths. The masterpieces of Samarkand stand among the urban environment, like the ruins of Athens or Rome.
For many, this is the only reason to visit Uzbekistan. The city crowded with groups of tourists. There are many souvenir shops and tourist markets. Therefore, the city looks like a big museum.
How to get there and where to stay
Travelling by train is an easy, fast and affordable way to travel around Uzbekistan. If you travel in high season, popular routes can be booked. Search for train tickets and train schedules convenient on the website of the Uzbek railways. Uzbek airlines also travel between Tashkent and Samarkand, the price from $23.
We have found many accommodation options in Samarkand for any budget. But we recommend staying near Registan to easily reach the historical sights. We stayed in a guest house, which is a good option for those on a tight budget. It offers dormitories and private rooms, a green outdoor courtyard and a rooftop terrace with views of the Registan.
What to see
Registan in Samarkand is a place where the whole mystery of The Great Silk road is hidden. Sparkling mosaics on buildings, spacious rooms, huge passages, high minarets are breathtaking. This square was once a lively corner of trade.
The best time to visit the sights in the early morning before the crowds of tourists and traders arrive
The city also tried to make not only a place of trade but also a place of education. Science and philosophy were taught here in madrassas. Madrassas are well-groomed with beautiful courtyards. The best time to visit the sights in the early morning before the crowds of tourists and traders arrive.
Interesting light and cultural shows held at night. Sightseeing in Registan costs 30,000 soms.
Necropolis of Shah-I-Zinda located on a hill in the middle of the city's main cemetery and a short walk from Registan. This alley with bright tiles and mausoleums, and here is the sacred necropolis. It is a favourite stop for tourist buses. Seeing this place cost 10,000 soms.
The mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir located separately from the other attractions of the city, it is an honoured place that attracts a large number of tourists. Despite the mournful atmosphere inside is noisy and crowded. Visit the mausoleum cost 22,000 soms.
The centre of Samarkand is a maze of streets, but a wall built between tourist attractions and the city where the locals live. Interesting to explore the old part of the city.
There are antique shops, children walking in the streets, noise. You can see the life of modern Samarkand.
After a trip to Samarkand, we were impressed by how the spirit of history, the atmosphere of warmth and friendliness remained here. The trip inspired to learn more about the country.
Sergey Kior, age 28, traveller
About Samarkand
Uzbekistan has long been a popular destination for European travellers. But Ukrainians and Russians rarely included this country to the tourist destinations. The purpose of the trip was Samarkand and Bukhara, the oldest cities of Uzbekistan. The way was through the famous Fergana Valley, picturesque mountain passes and the capital.
This city marked as the crossroads of cultures
This city marked the crossroads of cultures. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world. For more than two thousand years, the city was a key point on The Great Silk Road between China and Europe, as well as one of the main centres of the science of the medieval East.
How to get there and where to stay
Visa for Ukrainians and Russians is not required, but you need to register in the country for each day of the stay. You can stay in Uzbekistan only for three days without registration. Registration can be obtained at the hotel or apartments at the place of residence.
In Uzbekistan, visitors strictly inspected during passing the customs control. Strictly controlled the transportation of any things and cash. While crossing the border, my friends and I met retired Australian travellers who decided to drop us off at the nearest town in vintage cars.
Then we continued hitchhiking, which is interesting in Uzbekistan. Absolutely all cars stop and line up to pick you up. But when they find out that we ask for a free ride, they are surprised and leave. However, one driver from ten agrees. Therefore, hitchhiking is no problem.
More profitable in Uzbekistan is to change money on the bazaars, not in banks. The rate there is much lower.
Housing prices in Samarkand do not bite, and hotel for every taste can be found.
What to see
One of the attractions of the city is the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The largest mosque in Central Asia in height. All mosques and madrassas decorated with mosaics, various ornaments and carvings. Inscriptions in Arabic made in calligraphic Arabic style.
One of the main attractions of Samarkand is Registan square. On the square located an ensemble of three madrassas — Muslim educational institutions, one of the brightest examples of Persian architecture. In the evening, the guards offered to spend the night right in front of the square.
Sightseeing in Samarkand takes a couple of days, so we stopped in Bukhara. Bukhara is more than 2,500 years old. There many ancient monuments. A small trip turns into a hundred positive experiences. I advise everyone to visit Samarkand.
Yaroslav Adriyanov, webmaster
About Samarkand
We got to Samarkand by train from Bukhara. We were convinced that Uzbeks approach the development of tourist infrastructure on a large scale. The station is large, clean and modern. Cleanliness is one of the features of Uzbekistan, along with pilaf, hospitality and hard work. We chose this city purposefully as the most interesting and spiritual place in Central Asia.
How to get there and where to stay
From Tashkent, Samarkand can be reached by express train for 25,000 soms per person. The style of independent travel implies maximum impressions with a minimum budget, so the comfort zone of travel always includes local public transport. Transport in Uzbekistan is clean, small with affordable prices.
For residence, we chose the legendary, recommended Bahodir guesthouse, in which the rooms resemble country attics with creaking beds. Price — $12 per person, including breakfast. Once you get inside, it becomes clear why it is popular. The atmosphere is homely and relaxed with no extra desire to please guests. Inside there is a patio with sunbeds, free tea and a large number of like-minded people from all over the world.
There are many independent travellers in Uzbekistan. And the Uzbeks are trying for tourists. Budget coverage wide: from cheap options to expensive "all-inclusive".
What to see
Samarkand in the centre is beautiful and well maintained. From Bahodir and Registan to the bazaar, there is a wide Arbat, walking on which in the evening is a great pleasure. Closer to the bazaar located the tomb of the beloved wife of Emir Timur and the mosque built made by her. Prices for entrance to local attractions grow as you move away from Khorezm, reaching a climax in Samarkand. But, with the understanding that the East is a delicate matter, with the taste of trade relations, all prices can be bargained.
From Bahodir and Registan to the bazaar, there is a wide Arbat, walking on which in the evening is a great pleasure
Walking through the inner spaces of mosques and mausoleums, you realize that in the city cult of Timur. Everything connected with the name of Timur.
On the other side from the Gur-e-Amir is another interesting attraction, the necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda. Although most of the mausoleums belong to the Timurid Era, the first mausoleums of the necropolis originate from the 11th century. It's a place where all 2,500 years lined up in minutes. There you want to be silent and look at facing of majestic buildings.
