Uzbekistan: 8 places to see across Silk Road cities
Explore Uzbekistan's most significant cultural and natural landmarks across 1,751 km. This route connects historic Silk Road cities including Samarkand, Tashkent, Bukhara, and Khiva, along with mountain attractions near Shiman such as Amir Soy ski resort and Urungach Jade Lakes.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Gulkam Canyon
- End
- Chorsu Bazaar
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Gulkam Canyon — Dramatic gorge carved through mountains, offering stunning rock formations and scenic hiking trails through pristine natural landscape.
- Aral Sea — Large salt lake in northwestern Uzbekistan, drastically shrunk since the 1960s due to Soviet irrigation canals diverting rivers, now largely transformed into desert.
- Samarkand
- Registan Square — Historic epicenter of Samarkand featuring three magnificent madrasas from the Timurid Empire (14th–16th century), once among the most important educational institutions in the…
- Gur-e Amir Mausoleum — Historic mausoleum in Samarkand housing the tomb of Amir Timur, the Turco-Mongol conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire.
- Tashkent
- Hazrati Imam Complex — Major historical and religious site in Tashkent featuring traditional Islamic architecture and one of the oldest Qurans in the Islamic world.
- Chorsu Bazaar — Traditional market in Tashkent considered one of the oldest trading hubs in Central Asia, preserving centuries of Silk Road commerce and local culture.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- A 4x4 vehicle is required to reach Urungach Jade Lakes; the journey from Shiman takes 3 hours on difficult windy dirt tracks.
- Transport
- Amirsoy ski resort is accessible via two cable cars: Express connects the lower station to the Mountain Resort, then Gondola reaches the summit at 2,290 m altitude.
- Tip
- Hiring a guide in Gelan is key for communication, as most inhabitants are ethnically Tajik and speak a variety of Persian language.
- Timing
- Gelan was under restricted access until 2018; tensions between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have improved in recent years but reaching the area remains challenging.
- Tip
- The hike to Urungach upper lake has a 300 m altitude difference; most people with good fitness can complete the ascent in less than an hour.
- Avoid
- Only descend into Gulkam Canyon using the rope if you are experienced in rock climbing and have sufficient upper body strength to hold your body weight.
- Tip
- Chorsu Bazaar is considered one of the oldest trading hubs in Central Asia and is a traditional market worth visiting in Tashkent.
- Tip
- Registan Square's three madrasas were among the most important schools in the Muslim world during the Timurid Empire (14th-16th century).
- Tip
- Desert Castles are among the most important archaeological sites in Uzbekistan; fortifications were built between 7th-4th century BC in Karakalpakstan.
Video on this route
TOP 10 Places in UZBEKISTAN | Travel Video