Samarkand: The Jewel of the Silk Road
Stand before the Registan at sunset and you understand why Samarkand has captivated travellers for two thousand years.
Few cities on earth carry the weight of history like Samarkand. Once the capital of Tamerlane's empire, it sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road, where merchants from China, Persia and Europe met to trade silk, spices and ideas.
The Registan — three towering madrasahs framing a vast public square — is the city's beating heart. Their façades shimmer with turquoise and gold tilework that has survived earthquakes and centuries. Nearby, the Shah-i-Zinda avenue of mausoleums offers some of the most exquisite ceramic art in the Islamic world, while the Bibi-Khanym Mosque recalls the ambition of Tamerlane himself.
Give yourself at least two full days. Wander at dawn before the crowds, return at dusk for the light, and don't miss the bustling Siyob Bazaar for fresh non bread and dried apricots.
