Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Samarkand is a region located in Uzbekistan, which is a Central Asian country known for its hospitable society, historical architecture, and delectable dishes. I had always wanted to visit the historical city of Samarkand because it houses some of the greatest building structures in the world and is also full of rich history. Thus, I was absolutely ecstatic when my husband and I were invited to a wedding in this wonderful city. 

How to travel from Tashkent (the capital of Uzbekistan) to Samarkand?

There are a few different ways you can travel to Samarkand. You can either travel on a plane, which is a short 40-minute ride. The price was around $12-$15 for locals and double for foreigners. There is also a high-speed rail train called the Afrosiyob, which commutes between the two cities on a daily basis. However, it is important to note that the tickets for the train are a little pricey compared to plane tickets. You can also travel by taxi or bus and this may be a cheaper option compared to the others mentioned above. The cost is usually around $6 and it takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours to get to Samarkand from Tashkent. Plane tickets can be purchased at an Uzbekistan Airways' ticket office and train tickets can only be bought at the train station. Bus and taxi fares are usually paid to the driver in person. Except for the buses and taxis, plane and train seats need to be booked a few days in advance. Yes, tickets can run out fairly quick, especially, during the high season. 

Accommodation in Samarkand: 

Samarkand is a hot tourist spot therefore, there are numerous hotels and Bed and Breafkasts spread throughout the historical city. The B&B's are usually pretty artsy and traditionally decorated. However, during our stay, we made reservations for a room at the Hotel Asia Samarkand. We really enjoyed our stay because the hotel provided free WIFI access, working air conditioning, and a lovely outdoor pool. A nice free breakfast was included with a generous buffet, which consisted of all types of fruits, nuts, cereal, porridge, crepes, and hot and cold beverages. The staff was hospitable and friendly as well. 

Like many other hotels in Uzbekistan, Hotel Asia has noticeably two different rates for Uzbeks and foreigners. Locals usually pay around $10 - $15 whereas foreigners pay either double or triple that amount. In my opinion, the accommodation and the service you receive at the Hotel Asia Samarkand are worth what you pay. The rooms and bathrooms are decent. The furniture has not been upgraded in a while but overall, they were clean and in good shape. 

With all that being said, the main reason the bride and groom recommended this hotel to us was mainly that of its location. It is in close proximity to many significant tourist attractions including the Registan square. This made our lives easier because we could just walk over to these points of interest.

Places you need to see/ visit in Samarkand: 

1. Registan Square:  This square is absolutely my favorite part of this beautiful city and if you ever see pictures of Samarkand, I guarantee you will see these three incredible madrasahs. 

I believe these buildings beautifully represent Islamic art and architecture. When standing in the middle of the square, you cannot help but feel mindblown by their towering presence. There is just so much history and beauty in these marvelous buildings.   

On the left stands the oldest building in the Registan complex, which is called the Ulugbek Madrasah. This monument was named after the famous Timurid ruler, Mirza Ulug'bek, who was also a well- known astronomer and mathematician. The Ulugbek Madrasah is a must see place because it houses a museum where you can see Ulug'bek's discoveries. There is also a cute little courtyard where you can find many ceramics and other artifacts for sale. 

In the center of the Registan square stands the Tilla Kori Madrasah, which means "trimmed with gold". Apparently, this building took fourteen years to construct and it was the last monument to be built in the Registan complex. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the interior because of the gold-trimmed ceilings and walls. It was definitely worth checking out. 

To your right, you will find the Sherdor Madrasah. I found this exterior of this monument quite peculiar because it had two tigers drawn above the entrance. These tigers have an image of a face in the center, which just looked utterly strange. The facade of the walls is covered with excerpts from the holy Quran, which I found rather fascinating. 

2. Shah-i-Zinda: I feel like I say this all the time but in all seriousness, this stunning necropolis is one of my favorite places in Uzbekistan. It is a place one must definitely visit when they visit not only Samarkand but also, Uzbekistan. There is so much history tied with this place, dating almost 800 years back. I will warn you, there is a long flight of stairs, which you will need to climb in order to explore this famous tourist attraction. I was told the number of stairs differs going up versus coming down, which my husband decided to test out and truth be told, he did get two different set of numbers. 

Stepping inside this marvelous holy site left me speechless. I was amazed as we walked through the towering blue colored monuments one after another. It is absolutely an aesthetic heaven for photography lovers. The blue tiles accompanied by handcrafted wooden doors just make for amazing pictures. Beware, this is a hot spot not only for tourists but locals alike! It is believed that a close relative of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is buried in the cemetery of the Shah-i-Zinda, therefore many Uzbeks go on a pilgrimage to this holy site.  

3. Bibi- Khanum Mosque: This is one of the most important sites you will need to see in Samarkand. This mosque was dedicated to the beautiful wife of Amir Temur, who was one of the great kings of the Timurid dynasty. It seems like a good amount of the building has been destroyed by natural causes but what is remaining is astonishing and something definitely worth checking out. It is also located within a 10-minute walking distance from the Shah-i-Zinda. 

4.  Gur- Emir  Mausoleum: I was quite captivated by the historical significance of this particular mausoleum because it houses the tomb of the great Uzbek king, Amir Temur. Temurlane played an immense and crucial role in shaping the history of the Uzbek people. The Gur- Amir was built in the 14th century and it also apparently set a precedent for many other prominent monuments such as the Taj Mahal in India. Even though it has been renovated and reconstructed over the years, I felt incredibly lucky to have been able to witness such a wondrous piece of architecture. 

5. Imam Bukhari Mausoleum: This memorial complex is dedicated to the Islamic theologian and hadith collector, Imam al- Bukhari. It is situated a little bit outside of central Samarkand so we needed to take a taxi to get there. The fare was about 10,000 Uzbek soms, which would be around (American) $1.50. This place is usually very crowded with many people paying their respects on this holy site. 

Experiences you need to have in Samarkand:

Samarkand is full of wonderful memories and experiences. One experience you need to have before leaving Samarkand is getting your name written in Arabic by a professional calligraphy artist. As you can see from the picture below, my husband and I got our names written on goatskin. We have placed this piece of souvenir on our mantel, and today, it represents a beautiful memorabilia of our splendid time in Samarkand. 

The main dish of Uzbekistan is the delicious, Plov. My husband insisted we try the Samarkand version because he was told the taste and texture differed from the Plovs of Tashkent. I cannot recall the exact name of the Plov center we dined at but I can assure you there are many similar diners throughout Samarkand. And, they all serve the famous dish around noon (and, usually run out by 2 P.M. FYI). You might be wondering what sets these two dishes apart? It is mainly the texture of the rice. In Samarkand, they like it a little undercooked, which I found kind of strange as I prefer my food cooked, thoroughly. Thus, sad to say, I personally did not enjoy the Samarkand version of the Plov, however, my husband did devour it. Different strokes for different folks, eh?

When you are in Samarkand, you have got to also try a glass of raw apricot juice. If you decide to visit during the warmer months, these scrumptious cold beverages are inevitable. They are usually sold in the shady areas of the madrasahs. The sellers are generally young women covered in long pieces of gauze, which is worn to protect themselves from the heat. I know I am deviating from the topic, but I would like to share a little interesting fact about the women of Uzbekistan. Like many East Asian countries, Uzbek women are more favorable and perceived to be more attractive if they are light skinned. In some areas and circles, lighter skin still signifies wealth and nobility whereas darker skin represents villagers and those who perform labor in the fields. However, this is not true in all parts of Uzbekistan especially in the capital, as tanning and having glowy skin is becoming culturally acceptable if not cool.  

Miscellaneous: 

Dressing: The majority of the main attractions in Samarkand are holy sites and therefore, it might be respectful and considerate to dress modestly. There aren't any written or explicit rules when it comes to clothing in this historical city but one needs to understand that when he/she is visiting these religious and sacred places, he/she need to respect these places and the people who are visiting them. 

Safety: I can attest to the city's safeness as we did not experience any sort of security issues. Pickpocketing is not something one should beware of because it is not a problem in Samarkand. In the three years I have resided in Uzbekistan, I have never heard of any safety matters taking place in this ancient city.  

On the whole, Samarkand is one of my favorite trips of all time. My husband and I have such lovely memories from this trip. We learned so much about the history of the city and the country. We had no idea this ancient city was a home to some of the most significant, historical figures in the Islamic history and also, world history. These beautiful memories and experiences will forever be embedded in our hearts. #bliss 

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