Samarkand (Самарқанд), also known as Samarqand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of Samarqand Province. The city is favorable for its position on the Silk Road between China and the West, and for being an Islamic study center. The city center is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. As of latest measurement Samarkand has a population of 600 thousand people.
The city of Samarkand was settled about 2000 BC, in old times the city was known by various including Afrosiab and Maracanda. Since 1925 it’s officially capital of the Uzbekistan Samarqand Province which is nowadays the most popular travel destination of modern Uzbekistan. Most of the locals would say “a must see for travelers to Uzbekistan”, and travelers whom been there agree. Samarkand is an easy reach by plane, train or car from Tashkent, the country’s capital city. Once arrived in the city make an opportunity eating it’s most famous product “Samarkand Non” bread at one popular restaurants such as Cafe Nur and Regal Palace Restaurant.
The city center of Samarkand can easily be explored on foot, as there’s a lot to see make sure to bring your camera along. Samarkand is filled with modern, cultural and historical sightseeing including tombs, temples, mosques, museums and many more; Afrosiyob Remains, Registan, Gur-Emir, Shakh-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khonum, Khazrat-Khizr, Tomb of Prophet Daniel, Ulugbek’s Observatory, The Mausoleum of Al Buxori Al Bukhari and Abu Mansoor Al Matrudi Mausoleum.
If you are to visit Uzbekistan from the United States, you will need a valid passport and a business or tourist visa. When applying for visa, you must bring along proof of your hotel reservations and proof purpose of visit.