Samarkand | Eastern Rome, the Blue Land of the Silk Road

Over 2500 years of history, 10 World Heritage sites clustered together, affordable prices, visa-free for Chinese travelers, just a 3-hour direct flight away. The entire city feels like bringing "One Thousand and One Nights" to life. Samarkand will definitely exceed your expectations. 📸 Must-visit spots 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣ All close to each other, about 5-8 minutes walking between each site. It’s recommended to visit these four spots in one day. 1️⃣ Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis (Photo 1, 50,000 soms/person, about 30 RMB) The "Avenue of Immortality," where Kusam, the cousin of Prophet Muhammad, is buried. Timur buried his queen, princesses, and other relatives nearby. Best to visit in the morning or evening for the best light for photos, starting from the innermost mausoleum and moving outward when fewer people are around. P.S. Another note has a detailed description of this site. 2️⃣ Registan Square (Photo 2, 100,000 soms/person, about 60 RMB) The oldest university square in the world. Recommended to arrive half an hour before sunset; the lighting and blue hour after sunset are stunning!!! For the nighttime light show, it’s best to watch the 9 PM projection show only (it’s very cold, standing for an hour is tough). 3️⃣ Hazrat Khizr Mosque (Photo 3, free) The oldest Islamic building in Samarkand, overlooking the entire ancient city. 4️⃣ Bibi-Khanym Mosque (Photo 4, 75,000 soms/person, about 45 RMB) The "world’s largest mosque" built by Timur after his expedition to India as a gift to his wife. The central seating area in the square is perfect for photos, and the scenery at the four corners is very clean and photogenic. 5️⃣ Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Complex (Photo 5, 75,000 soms/person, about 45 RMB) 6️⃣ Aksaray Mausoleum (Photo 6, next to Amir Temur Mausoleum, 10,000 soms/person, about 6 RMB) The exterior looks unremarkable, located in the upper left corner of the photo. The dome is equally magnificent, and the guard has a homemade device to help capture the stunning dome. 🍽️ Accommodation & Dining Sangzor Boutique Hotel: Excellent location, within walking distance to major attractions, and the hotel facilities are considered quite good locally. Boulevard Restaurant & Bakery: The best local environment, feels like being in Europe. The dishes, desserts, and service are all very good, with an average cost of about 150 RMB per person. 📌 Other Tips • Large temperature difference between day and night, and it can be quite windy, so dress warmly. • The climate is dry, so bring lip balm and moisturizing skincare products. • The local currency is the som. For two people, 500 RMB worth of local currency is enough for two days. If you urgently need money, you can exchange with fellow Chinese travelers, which is easy to find at attractions, haha.