Hayat Samarkand

Samarkand is a major city located in southeastern Uzbekistan. Among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, it has a population of 882,000 inhabitants as of 2026, making it the second-largest city in Uzbekistan after Tashkent. It is the capital of the Samarkand Region and a district-level city, that includes the urban-type settlements of Kimyogarlar, Farkhod and Khishrav. Earlier it also served as the initial capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic from 1925 until 1930.

As you explore the city, you will be transported back in time to the era of the Timurid dynasty, with magnificent structures like the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda, and Gur-e-Amir mausoleum. The Registan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a complex of three madrasahs adorned with intricate tile work and beautiful mosaics.

Another must-visit site in Samarkand is the Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning necropolis that features a series of mausoleums with intricate tile work and stunning blue domes. The Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, where Timur and his descendants are buried, is another beautiful structure that showcases the city's rich history.