The kaleidoscope of historical sights of centuries-old Samarkand can be
twisted endlessly and admired accordingly. At the same time, Samarkand is surprisingly diverse.
By Gertrud Tauchhammer
If you try to describe the tourists who will like Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, the heart of the Great Silk Road and the capital of the great Amir Temur, then these are gourmets, connoisseurs of the atmosphere of the East, lovers of exquisite architecture and ancient monuments.
Uzbekistan has been actively developing its tourism sector since 2019, when the decree “On measures to further develop the tourism sector” was signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Since then, the country achieved phenomenal changes.
Samarkand is replenished with worthy tourist infrastructure facilities that allow the city to become more accessible and comfortable for different categories of tourists.
New Samarkand Airport
Tourists will be met by a modern International Airport made in the form of an open book, symbolizing the main work of Mirzo Ulugbek “The New Astronomical Table of Kuragoni”. The new modern terminal allows Samarkand to become a tourist hub of Uzbekistan. You can also get to Samarkand by high-speed train from Tashkent. From Samarkand it is convenient to go to Bukhara and other ancient cities of Uzbekistan.
A modern view on ancient sights
In search of historical beauty, tourists should definitely visit the Registan Square, where they get acquainted with the “Ulugbek”, “Sher-Dor” and “Tillya-Kari” madrasahs. Together, these three theological schools form a single architectural ensemble, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
In the ancient tomb of the Timurids — “Gur-Emir” (“the tomb of the ruler Emir”), as well as in the “Shakhi-Zinda” necropolis, where sisters, wives, children, philosopher and commanders of Amir Temur are buried, there are also always a lot of tourists.
The “Bibi Khanum” Mosque, named after Amir Temur’s beloved wife, is also truly beautiful. Its dome was compared to the beauty of the heavens, and the arch of the portal with the Milky Way.
Next to the mosque is the “Siab” Bazaar. It is 600 years old and it continues to be one of the most delicious and fragrant places in Samarkand. Those wishing to observe the production of silk paper using ancient technologies should go to the village “Konigil”, and tourists who want to buy designer items to the Samarkand Artisan Center, located in a restored caravanserai of the 19th century.
Silk Road Samarkand – Multipurpose Resort
After a 15 minutes’ drive from the new Samarkand International Airport you will find the new Silk Road Samarkand Multipurpose Resort.
The resort with 1,200 rooms is unique and offers tourists a high-level and diverse vacation, combining business, cultural, medical and gastronomic tourism facilities on
its premises.
On an area of more than 260 hectares, there are eight 4-5* hotels as well as four hotels of the “Wellness Park Hotels complex”. Also, the guests of the resort have access to 14 villas of the „Eco Village“, located next to the colourful historical and ethnographic park „Eternal City“.
UNWTO General Assembly 2023 in Samarkand
An important event for Samarkand will be the 25th session of the General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) from October
16 to 20, 2023.
At the session, one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan — Shakhrisabz — will be presented as a candidate for the status of „Tourist Capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization in 2024“.
(c) Photos: Embassy of Uzbekistan
