Places to discover
Curated Silk Road highlights
Samarkand · Madrasah
Registan Square
Samarkand's grand square, framed by three monumental madrasahs covered in blue tilework.
Samarkand · Mausoleum
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
The mausoleum of Amir Timur and his descendants, crowned by a ribbed turquoise dome.
Samarkand · Mausoleum
Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
A street of mausoleums with some of the finest glazed tilework in Central Asia.
Samarkand · Mosque
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Timur's grand cathedral mosque, built after his campaign in India.
Samarkand · Monument
Ulugh Beg Observatory
The remains of a 15th-century observatory where Ulugh Beg charted the stars.
Samarkand · Bazaar
Siab Bazaar
Samarkand's main market beside Bibi-Khanym, famous for bread, dried fruit and spices.
Bukhara · Monument
Kalyan Minaret
The 12th-century 'Tower of Death' that dominates Bukhara's skyline.
Bukhara · Fortress & palace
Ark of Bukhara
A massive fortress that served as the residence of Bukhara's rulers for centuries.
Bukhara · Mausoleum
Ismail Samani Mausoleum
A masterpiece of early Islamic brickwork built for the Samanid dynasty.
Bukhara · Square
Lyabi-Hauz
A shaded pond plaza framed by madrasahs, the social heart of old Bukhara.
Bukhara · Monument
Chor Minor
A small gatehouse with four minarets, each decorated differently.
Khiva · Old town
Ichan-Kala
The walled inner city of Khiva, a living open-air museum of Khorezm architecture.
Khiva · Monument
Kalta Minor Minaret
A turquoise-tiled minaret left deliberately unfinished, famous for its stubby form.
Khiva · Fortress & palace
Tash Hauli Palace
The 19th-century palace of the Khiva khans with richly tiled courtyards.
Tashkent · Bazaar
Chorsu Bazaar
Tashkent's iconic domed market, a sensory tour of Uzbek food and crafts.
Tashkent · Mosque
Khast Imam Complex
Tashkent's religious heart, home to the world-famous Uthman Quran.
Tashkent · Square
Amir Timur Square
The central square of modern Tashkent, dominated by the equestrian statue of Amir Timur.
Kokand · Fortress & palace
Khudayar Khan Palace
The palace of the last khan of the Kokand Khanate, celebrated for its ornate facade.
Shahrisabz · Fortress & palace
Ak-Saray Palace
The ruined summer palace of Timur, whose colossal gate towers still awe visitors.