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Shahrisabz

Shahrisabz (Uzbekistan)

Practical information on Shahrisabz

  • Place or Religious Monument
  • Archaeological Site
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Off the beaten track
4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
1 1/2 hours from Samarkand by taxi
When to go
Avoid June through September (40°C)
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Shahrisabz

Seasoned Traveller
13 written opinions

Shakhrisabz is authentic! I really enjoyed walking around here. The architectural heritage has not yet been renovated and it is far from the tourist crowds.

My suggestion:
Go out of your way to get there! The path is nice and this allows for a comparison with the extensive renovations made in Samarkand.
My review

I really liked the palace that let us see the condition of buildings before being renovated and also how magnificent they were in their time. Jehangir's tomb and Timur's crypt also are places that deserve mention, joined to a mosque in the shade of various trees. The place isn't only visited by tourists. It is used by the locals, who make the atmosphere very authentic and pleasant.

When I went there, the city was doing some major construction between Ak Sarai Palace and the Kok Gumbaz mosque. So the city will be getting a face lift in the years to come. Pending the completion of this construction, it isn't very nice to go for walk in the rest of the city, especially along Ypak Yoli. The bazaar has been moved further south.

Despite the construction, I really enjoyed walking around birthplace of Timur Lang: beautiful monuments that aren't yet overly renovated and friendly people, all in all a beautiful trip.

Timothée D. Seasoned Traveller
285 written opinions

The small Uzbek town of Shakhrisyabz reveals an incredible and historic palatial complex.

My suggestion:
Apart from the palace and associated buildings, the town doesn't have much to offer, so it's better to stay in Samarkand and visit for the day.
My review

Located around 100 kilometers south of Samarkand, at first glance, Shakhrisyabz looks like any other medium-sized Uzbek town with a population of around 50,000 and no major points of interest. Shakhrisyabz thoroughly deserves its entry on the as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revealing historical wonders that date from a time when the city's influence eclipsed that of Samarkand: the palace, mosques, and tombs date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and it's impossible to pick a favorite from this incredible, historic complex.

I particularly liked the small town's restful atmosphere, even though I wouldn't stay there for an extended period, and I enjoyed the ability to take long walks through the nearby mountains. It's certainly an interesting stop on a journey through the heart of Uzbekistan.