Silk Road attractions and sights you must see in Uzbekistan

For more than fifteen centuries, the Silk Road was the world’s super route for everything from trade to diplomacy, and no other place was in the middle of it all quite like Uzbekistan. The money, creativity, and culture that flowed through this superhighway left some of the most breath-taking sightings in the country. In this article, we will talk about the top Silk Road attractions in Uzbekistan worth adding to your bucket-list or seeing when you visit Central Asia.

Best sights in Samarkand

The Registan

If you have time or budget to visit only one Uzbek destination, you won’t regret going to The Registan. This central square in Samarkand is quite a sight and has everything that pays homage to the Silk Road. It is home to titling yet still gorgeous medressas, all dressed in mosaic tiles that mesmerize at dusk and dawn in the hues of gold, indigo, lapis lazuli, and azure. These Silk Road-era Islamic schools were built around the 1400s to 1600s during the Timurid dynasty.

The Registan was an intersection at the heart of the Silk Road. Students came from far across the stretch to learn religion and mathematics. Some say that early mathematicians and scholars in this region may have had a role in putting together a game that would become chess. In fact, the trade, activities, cultures, and items exchanged at this square have been the inspiration behind many historical books, films, and virtual games like Silk Road, Silk Road Riches, and other titles you can find on this website.

Bibi Khany Mosque

Bibi-Khanym Mosque was built by Timur in the 1300s with the proceeds of invading India. The blue mosaic tiled mosque is still one of the biggest in Central Asia and the world. It sports a beautiful cupola that rises a dizzying 42 meters high with the pishtaq a little shy of that, at 38 meters.
We’d like to think that some pilgrims made a stopover here to pray on their trade expeditions along the Silk Road. If avant-garde Islam architecture is more your speed, then this mosque will tickle your fancy. Be sure to check out the large marble Quran stand in the inside courtyard. It is located northeast of Registand.

Shah-i-Zinda

Think of the Shah-i-Zinda as a boulevard of mausoleums. This street is where you will find the most breathtaking and moving Islamic architecture along the Silk Road. They blend East Asian, Central Asian, and Persian architecture and styles like no other place, especially when it comes to design and tilework.

Samarkand Shah i Zinda Silk road sight in Uzbekistan

Gur-e-Amir

Gur-e-Amir is the final resting place of the famous Timur. Also called Tamerlane, he was the Amir (emir) of the Timurid Empire that covered much of Central Asia, Iran, and today’s Afghanistan. We cannot talk about the history and sheer size of the Silk Road without mentioning the influence of the Ulugbek’s empire.

Gur-e-Amir ticks all the boxes for any fan of the Silk Road. The gold-painted mausoleum features some of the most glittering mosaics and gilded domes. It’s best to visit the sight on a guided tour because there’s plenty to see inside and around the mausoleum.

Must-visit spots in Khiva

Ichon Qala, an open-air mausoleum

Legend claims Khiva was founded by Noah’s son, and while that might be a stretch, the city has been a trading fort since the 8th century. The entire walled old town is a monument to Silk Road trade. Expect to feed your eyes with an overload of Islamic architecture and Silk Road history.

Kalta Minor Minaret

This blue-tiled minaret, begun in 1851 and never completed due to the ruler’s untimely death. It still stands as a symbol of Khiva’s rich architectural ambitions. Twenty-nine meters high and 14 meters wide, the Minaret is quite a sight dressed in turquoise blue tiles. If you happen to be here in the evening, check out the food scene and get yourself some mementos from adjacent souvenir kiosks.

Khiva Ichan Kala during night time

Best of the Silk Road city of Bukhara

The Ark, A 5th-century fortress in Bukhara

This ancient walled fortress in the heart of Bukhara was once the residence of local emirs. Walking through its walls is like stepping back in time, offering glimpses into the lives of those who made the Silk Road their home.

Kalon Mosque and Minaret in Bukhara

Legend has it that when Genghis Khan swept through Central Asia, this towering minaret was the only structure he chose not to destroy. The complex is a spectacular example of Islamic architecture, with fine tiling and a mud-constructed minaret that has withstood centuries.

Bukhara old town

Char Minar

This small but iconic structure bears influences from Indian and South Asian architecture—a vivid illustration of how artistic styles traveled along the Silk Road.

Silk Road Bazaars

Bukhara’s interconnected domed bazaars transport you directly to the Silk Road era. The Taki-Sarrafon (Moneychangers Bazaar), Taki-Telpak Furushon (Capmakers Bazaar), and Taki-Zargaron (Jewellers Bazaar) offer a glimpse into the commercial heart of the ancient trade routes.

Uzbekistan beyond the major cities

Khan's Palace in Kokand

Located in the eastern Fergana Valley, this palace boasts 114 ornately decorated rooms, offering insight into the region’s royal history.

Termez Archaeological Museum

In the southernmost city of Uzbekistan, this museum showcases the incredible cultural diversity of the Silk Road—from Greek-influenced statues to Buddhist icons and Bactrian ivory chess pieces.

Tips for getting the most out of your Silk Road tour of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is Central Asia’s most touristy country, but it is still opening up. It pays to get your paperwork ready well ahead of your trip. Talking of traveling, the best time to be here for the tour is either September to October in autumn or April to May in spring. It is a no-brainer that you should pack light clothing with sturdy yet comfy shoes. Learn a few Uzbek lingo and always dress modestly.

Scroll to Top