Samarkand is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of Samarqand Province.

Major attractions

Registan

One of the most awesome sights in Central Asia, if not one of the most remarkable in the world, the Registan was the center of medieval Samarkand. It consists of three huge madrassas, forming three sides surrounding a huge square.

• Ulugh Beg
• Sherdar Madrassa
• Tilla-Kari Madrassa

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Shah-i-Zinda

Perhaps the most beautiful of Samarkand’s sights is the “Tomb of the Living King". The complex is based on the grave of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, who brought Islam to this area. His shrine is one of the oldest buildings in Samarkand.

Gur-e Amir Mausoleum

Main Bazaar

The Ruins of Afrasiab

Northeast of the Main Bazaar is the 2.2 sq km archaeological site of ancient Samarkand (Marakanda) or Afrasiab, mostly exposed to the elements.

Ulugh Beg Observatory

State Museum

This crumbling and largely ignored museum contains serious exhibitions on local archaeology, history, and folk crafts.