Samarkand walking route: Registan to Shakhi-Zinda and Siab
The route covers the main attractions of Samarkand: from the mosaic square of Registan and the Shakhi-Zinda mausoleum to the traditional paper mill "Meros" and the noisy Siab bazaar. Includes a visit to the Tomb of Gur-Emir, Afrosiab Hill with a panorama of the city and the Old Station Hotel. A full one-day route through the historical center of Uzbekistan.
- Distance
- 37.5 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Registan Square
- End
- Meros Paper Mill
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Registan Square — Samarkand's main square with its three majestic madrasas.
- Meros Paper Mill — Workshop for traditional Samarkand paper-making.
- Mausoleum of Shah-e-Zinda — A complex of mausoleums with blue domes.
- Bazar SIAB — The famous market next to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
- Gur-Emir — The Mausoleum of Tamerlane is one of the most outstanding examples of Islamic architecture.
- Old Station Hotel — A hotel located in a historic building in the center of Samarkand.
- Kholm Afrasiab — The ancient city of Samarkand, offering a panoramic view of the city.
- Meros Paper Mill
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Registan on weekdays, not on weekends. On Saturday, there are thousands of tourists here, on weekdays there are much fewer people and more tranquility.
- Timing
- Come to Samarkand in May or June. In the evening during these months, there are practically no tourists, and the illuminated Registan looks different.
- Tip
- Visit the Registan twice: in the afternoon and in the evening. The daytime Registan and the evening Registan with illumination are two completely different cities.
- Food
- Try cheeseburgers at a park near the Registan. The seller remembers regular customers, this place is popular and cooks deliciously.
- Tip
- Visit the traditional handmade paper factory "Meros". They show the entire production process using ancient technology, there are concerts and dances.
- Tip
- In the ceramics workshop, you can see artists painting plates and sculpting figurines. Each handmade product tells the story of Uzbek life.
- Save money
- Ceramic plates and figurines of local craftsmen are expensive ($200-350), as they are handmade for collectors. Prices correspond to the quality of products.
- Tip
- Come to the workshops for tea. Guests are served green tea, which makes it easier to tolerate the heat of about 30 degrees in a dry climate.
- Timing
- The optimal temperature in Samarkand during the day is about 30 degrees. Due to the dry climate, the heat is easier to tolerate than in other places.
- Tip
- Set aside a whole day to see all the main attractions: Registan, Shakhi-Zinda, Siab Bazaar, Gur-Emir, Afrosiab and other locations are included in one route.
- Where to stay
- The Old Station Hotel offers accommodation in Samarkand and is one of the options for accommodation in the city.