Day 6 – Shahrisabz, Samarkand | Eight Days in Uzbekistan

 
It was time to say goodbye to Bukhara and head south-east via the Takhta-Karacha alpine mountain pass, to the hometown of Tamerlane – Shahrisabz.

We started from Bukhara at 8am and took us about 4 hours to reach Shahrisabz. It was going to be a quick halt in Shahrisabz because the only main sight to see is the Amir Temur palace complex.

Shahrisabz is famous thanks to Amir Temur (Tamerlane), who was born in the neighboring village of Hodja-Ilgar. Becoming the ruler, he turned Shahrisabz into his residence and ordered to build the palace, known as Ak Saray (White palace).

The city’s historical center of the city is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you will find ruins of the palace Ak-Saray, the memorial complex Dorut Tilovat, the mosque Kok-Gumbaz, and some mausoleums.

[Statue of Amir Temur]

[Statue of Amir Temur]

[Ak Saray – Amir Temur’s Palace remains]

[Ak Saray – Amir Temur’s Palace remains]

[Ak Saray – Amir Temur’s Palace remains]

[View of Tajik mountains from the Amir Temur’s palace gardens.]

 
In the same complex is the Dorut Tilovat Madrasa, that was formed after the death of the eminent religious leader Shamsiddin Kulal, the founder of Sufism, the spiritual mentor of Emir Taragay and of Timur himself, and the teacher of Bahauddin Naqshbandi.

[Dorut Tilovat Madrasa]

[Dorut Tilovat Madrasa]

[Dorut Tilovat Madrasa]

[Dorut Tilovat Madrasa]

[Dorut Tilovat Madrasa]

 
It was past 2pm when we got out of Dorut Tilovat madrasa, and the complex has a lot of restaurants and cafes catering to tourists. After some kabob wraps, we headed for Samarkand, which is about 90km from Shahrisabz, taking about 2 hours.

 
After reaching Samarkand, we checked in to Malika Prime Hotel, close to the center and a 10-minute walking distance from the pearl of Samarkand – Registan.

Although Registan was a part of the tour tomorrow, this has been on my bucket list for a while so I walked there. Right next to the hotel is Gur-Emir Mausoleum that looks gorgeous in the setting sun. After a quick photo stop, headed to Registan!

[Gur Emir Mausoleum, Samarkand]

[Gur Emir Mausoleum, Samarkand]

[A mural on streets of Samarkand]

[Registan at sunset, Samarkand]

 
Spent some time at Registan until sunset, and had dinner at the restaurant in my hotel.

Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = UZS 6,000 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.