Background
Samarkand is a crossroad and melting pot of the world's cultures. Founded in the 7th century BC as ancient Afrasiab, it had its most significant development in the Timurid period of the 14th and 15th centuries; UNESCO names the Registan mosque and madrasas, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, the Shakhi-Zinda compound, the Gur-Emir ensemble and Ulugh-Beg's observatory.
Afrasiab, the hilly mound north of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, was the site of the ancient city until Genghis Khan destroyed it in 1220. Timur made Samarkand the capital of his empire from 1369, and the Registan became the main square in Timurid times.
- 7th c. BCAncient Afrasiab is founded
- 329 BCAlexander the Great takes the city
- 1220Genghis Khan destroys Samarkand
- 1369Timur makes it the capital of his empire
- 1417The Ulugh Beg Madrasa, the oldest on the Registan
- 2001Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1The RegistanThree tiled madrasas, Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori, around the square; lit at night.
- 2Shah-i-ZindaThe avenue of blue-tiled mausoleums.
- 3Bibi-Khanym MosqueTimur's giant mosque, built after the capture of Delhi and rebuilt from 1974.
- 4Gur-e-AmirTimur's mausoleum under a ribbed turquoise dome.
- 5Ulugh Beg ObservatoryThe 15th-century observatory beyond Afrasiab, with the museum of the ancient city.
- 6Siab BazaarDried fruit and bread beside the mosque.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Timur's City
From the GoGo Samarkand guide · Open the Samarkand Guide ›
- 08:00Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis90 minThe avenue of mausoleums.
- 10:00The Registan Madrasas2 hrsCentral Asia's grandest square.
- 14:00Bibi-Khanym Mosque1 hrTimur's mosque.
- 15:30Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum1 hrTimur's tomb.
- 20:00Registan Lit at Night1 hrThe madrasas after dark.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Apr–May, Oct. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Jul–Aug.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
