Here’s the complete travel guide to Shahrisabz in Uzbekistan, including info on how to get from Samarkand to Shahrisabz, what to see and do there and if it’s worth to visit Shahrizabz. You’ll also find inspiration and info for 6 more day trips from Samarkand. Enjoy!
The ancient city of Shahrisabz, also written as Shakhrisabz and formerly known as Kesh, sits in southern Uzbekistan and is cherished for its monuments and mausoleums.
Amongst its UNESCO status and an abundance of historical assets, the city shines as an architectural beauty. Its skyline is decorated with glistening turquoise domes while its pathways are adorned with luscious gardens.
So many gardens, in fact, that Shahrisabz is known as the ‘green city’ and once spring kicks in, flowers cloak the city in many colors.
If you’ve swotted up on Uzbekistan’s history (if you haven’t, don’t sweat because that’s what I’m here for), you’ll be familiar with the Silk Road. Shahrisabz played a pivotal role in the Silk Road’s network as it sat within the web of ancient roads for traders to export goods from the east to the west.
It is said the network began around 130 B.C. and was in use until around 1400 A.D. The routes bridged the Far East to China, then through the Middle East and Europe.
Shakhrisabz sits about 88km south of Samarkand, which was once a bustling hub of activity for traders and is one of Central Asia’s oldest inhabited cities.
In 1370, the Timurid Empire was founded which shaped the history of Central, South and Western Asia, the Caucasus, Russia and the Volga. The empire was established by a bloke called Amir Temur, who was born in a village close to Shahrisabz. Considered one of the strongest military leaders of the time (and one of the most brutal rulers!), his legacy is rooted in the city.
Shahrisabz is a window into understanding Uzbekistan’s prominence in Central Asia, and as far as history lessons go, it’s such a magnificent place to learn in! So read on for the full know-how on what to do in Shahrisabz and some tempting day trips from Samarkand…
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Plan your trip to Samarkand
Where to stay
- Best budget pick: Amir Hostel
- Best guesthouse choice: Furkat Guesthouse
- Top boutique hotel: Sangzor Boutique Hotel
Top experiences in and near Samarkand
Plan your trip to Uzbekistan
What to see in Shahrisabz?
One thing to bear in mind is that Shahrisabz is a little city so if you get a wiggle on and get there early you can see all it has to offer in under three hours.
The entrance fee to each of the UNESCO sites described below is 30,000 UZS SOM (but during low-season you can try to get in for 15,000 UZS). I highly recommend hiring a tour guide at around $20 as it will enrich your visit. You can find English-speaking tour guides at the ticket booth near the entrance of the Ak-Saray Palace.
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Shahrisabz Map
1. The Palace Complex of Ak-Saray
To appreciate the history of Shahrisabz, we’ll quickly touch upon Amir Temur again. So, who was this guy?
Amir Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a complex and multifaceted man that left his mark as one of Uzbekistan’s and Central Asia’s most important rulers and historical figures. He founded the Timurid Empire with Samarkand as its center and expanded his empire from the Volga River and the Caucasian ridges in the west to India in the Southwest.
Timur wasn’t only a great conqueror but also a great builder. He’s the man behind the greatest constructions in Samarkand, including the Bibi Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, the Ulugh Beg Madrasah at Registan, the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum.
After a victorious battle in 1380, ruler Temur ordered the palace complex of Ak-Saray to be built immediately (can’t say I relate, although I did have some victorious battles with my sister…). However, the construction took around 25 years to complete which you can see in the different inscriptions on some of the towers. He died soon after it was finished.
The ruins and faded tiles spark imagination for how extravagant it was once: gold-gilded tiles and azure colors adorned the living quarters and it was said upon the roof of the palace was a pool (trying to not imagine a modern Temur welcoming us in with MTV cribs).
If you get up close, you can see how intricate it was for the craftsmen to build the geometric art from thousands of tiny azure tiles. The walls are definitely something to marvel at.
Temur’s presence is not just echoed through the building, but he towers over visitors in a whopping big statue. Even if architecture isn’t your thing, it’s hard not to be humbled by the palace’s age and legacy left by Temur.
2. Medrese Chubin (Amir Timur Museum)
If you continue past the Timur statue, you’ll find the Medrese Chubin which houses the small Amir Timur Museum. The site has small artifacts and copies from the city’s history.
Its opening hours are 9 pm to 5 pm, five days a week. The visit won’t take you more than 20 minutes.
3. Dor-ut Tilovat Complex
The memorial complex of Dor-ut Tilovat was built in 1370 in honor of the religious leader Shamsiddin Kulal.
Sheikh Kulal was the spiritual mentor of the big man himself, Timur, so it’s no surprise that his tomb was adorned with onyx marble slabs. It’s actually said that Sheikh Kulal led a modest life and did not want a mausoleum for himself.
The mausoleum became a holy place of reverence for Sheikh Kulal’s disciples which is why ‘Dor-ut Tilovat’ translates roughly as ‘house of reflection’. His burial was uncovered by archaeologists during the clearing of the inside of the tomb.
There is also the Kok-Gumbaz mosque to check out. It was constructed in 1435 by Timur’s grandson, Ulugh Beg, in honor of his father. The building is known as the Friday Mosque of Shahrisabz, and its architecture is in harmony with the classical Uzbek turquoise-domed design.
Just two years after the mosque was built, Ulugh Beg ordered the construction of a makbarat (burial vault) for the descendants of the Timurid dynasty. It’s called ‘Gumbazi-Seyidon’ and is home to tombstones of some VIPs from the XV-XVII centuries… cool, right?
4. Dor-us Siyadat Complex
If the legacy of the Timurid dynasty tickled your history tastebuds, then there’s another memorial site to go to.
The Dor-us Siyadat Complex was built after the death of Timur’s son Jakhongir in 1376. Translated as a ‘repository of power’, the mausoleum was intended to be dedicated to all those of the Timurid dynasty.
Timur’s second son, Umarshaykh, was killed in a siege in Iran in 1393 and was buried in the complex, in the Omar Sheikh Mausoleum. There were plans to bury Timur himself in this mausoleum, with a tomb all cozy and ready for him, but he ended up being buried in Gur-Emir in Samarkand.
How to get from Samarkand to Shahrisabz
You can from Samarkand to Shahrisabz is by car, which should take around 1.5 – 2 hours one way.
Whichever option you choose from the ones below, try and ask if you’ll have time for a photo stop at the beautiful Tahtakaracha Pass on your way… you won’t regret it! You can also buy local mountain herbs and honey there.
*Update: As of March 27th, 2026, the Afrosiyob high-speed train runs 3 times a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) between Tashkent and Shahrisabz. Unfortunately, there’s no direct train (yet?) between Samarkand and Shahrisabz.
1. From Samarkand to Shahrisabz by public transport
You can grab a shared taxi from outside the Registan in Samarkand which is the cheapest option, coming in at around $9. Bear in mind though, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a taxi and finding a taxi from Shahrisabz to Samarkand won’t be easy.
2. By private transport
You can also arrange for a driver to pick you up from your guesthouse or hotel in Samarkand – just ask at the reception where you’re staying.
Most drivers can pick you up at an allotted time, will drop you off near the entrance of Ak Saray Palace and will wait for you on the other side of Shahrisab, ready for your return back to Samarkand. This option will cost around $45.
3. By tour
In my opinion, the most beneficial way to see Shahrisabz would be by booking a guided day tour to Shahrisabz.
You’ll learn far more about the history from a local guide, have no hassle with transport and have your day taken care of. If you choose this, you can get picked up in Samarkand, listen and learn.
You can organize this with your guesthouse or hotel or book online. It should cost around $75.
Top tips for visiting Shahrisabz
- I recommend installing the Yandex Taxi app on your phone. This app allows you to order a taxi to easily get around and shows you the rate in advance. They’ll also save you the hustle of bargaining for a good price. This could be helpful if you’re considering doing the day trip on a shoestring budget. This app works perfectly fine in Samarkand but can’t guarantee it works in Shahrisabz!
- Nowadays there are plenty of ATMs in Samarkand and you can also pay by credit card or cash in Euro or US Dollars at hotels, restaurants and shops. Get out cash before you head to Shahrisabz.
- Uzbekistan is a conservative country so dress appropriately (so no short dresses, tops showing cleavage, and short shorts), even if it’s soaring hot. You should also cover your shoulders and knees when visiting mosques and mausoleums.
- One last thing I would recommend is to install the app of maps.me on your phone and download the map of Uzbekistan. Out of experience, I can tell that Google Maps hasn’t been working very well in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
Plan your perfect Central Asia journey
Dreaming of exploring Uzbekistan and Central Asia, but not sure where to start? Whether you’re looking for a custom itinerary tailored to your travel style or a fully organized guided tour, I’m here to help you create a journey that goes beyond the typical route.
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Is Shahrisabz worth visiting?
If you’re a history nut, this is your motherland for understanding Uzbek’s ancient ruling and close relationship with religion. It’s also a great place to learn about Timur’s legacy in Central Asia.
So if you’ve got a morning to kill, I’d definitely make the trip and book a private guide. There’ll be a lot less tourists than in Samarkand so you can really marvel at the mausoleums in peace. There are also some beaaaautiful views along the way (read above).
6 more great day trips from Samarkand
If you’ve got more time in Samarkand and need some ideas, here are 6 trips I’ve gathered for you.
1. Urgut Chor Chinor
- Entrance fee: 25,000 UZS
- Time needed: 1 hour
After Shahrisabz’s museums and mausoleums, why not try a memorial dedicated to nature?
The Urgut Chor Chinor garden, translating as ‘four sycamore trees’, is home to species that are more than 1,000 years old. It’s situated just 3km from Urgut, a small village around 40km south-east from Samarkand.
Some of the older trees measure a whopping 10 meters in circumference. It’s up to you to work out which of the four were the starters of this spectacular tree dynasty! The largest, measuring 35 meters in height, has a small room encased in its roots.
It’s said that it once served as a dwelling for solitary prayers and later became a rural school. The garden is so soothing and sacred, I really found it so peaceful.
How to get from Samarkand to Urgut Chor Chinor
By private driver: the location of Urgut is on the way to Shahrisabz, so it could be ideal to combine your trip and ask the driver to make a stop (with an agreed fee, I paid $20 – shared between 4 travelers). This means your transport is taken care of for the day and you’ll get a decent day out.
The other simple way is to book a driver with your guesthouse or hotel and ask them to wait for you while you look around the garden.
By bus: the C001 Shaharlararo Avtobus goes from Samarkand to Urgut and runs pretty regularly. It stops at the Samarkand Rowing Complex and then takes you through to Urgut.
Although this will be a cheap option, it will cost you more time. You’ll also need to do the 3km walk from Urgut to the garden, which if you’re up for it, will be a tranquil way to take in this lovely little village.
2. Konigil Village and Meros Paper Mill
- Entrance fee: 3,000 UZS
- Time needed: 2 hours
This village sits just on the outskirts of Samarkand, around 13km north-east of the center. Konigil is dedicated to homemade and artisan crafts, where you’ll find plenty of stalls to pick up little trinkets.
Konigil’s main attraction is its paper mill, where two brothers have reintroduced ancient paper-making techniques from Samarkand. The factory uses bark from Mulberry trees to produce sheets that can be stored for ten times longer (400 years!) than your average white printer paper.
Afterwards, there’s a chance to stock up on little gifts like handmade dresses and postcards or just relax and have a steaming mug of tea by the banks of the Siab river.
How to get there from Samarkand:
By taxi: I recommend installing the Yandex Taxi app on your phone. This app allows you to order a taxi to easily get around and shows you the rate in advance. They’ll also save you the hustle of bargaining for a good price.
By bus: the 1 Samarqand Avtobusa goes from central Samarkand to outside the paper mill and runs pretty regularly.
By walking: yep, get those legs moving and grooving! It’s roughly a 10km walk from the city center and would be a great way to get to see Samarkand.
I’m a firm believer that on foot you have the space to really understand a new culture. Install the app of maps.me on your phone and Bob’s your uncle, you’re away!
3. Sentob, Nuratau Mountains
- Time needed: Two days is preferable, but can be done in one day
This is a good shout if you’re craving a quick dose of nature.
North of Samarkand, the Nuratau Mountains are scattered across the Kyzyl Kum desert and are known as the ‘black mountains’ due to their colour. Huddled in the foothills is Sentob, a popular mountain village, which is considered to be around 2,000-years-old.
The commune encourages tourism and welcomes travelers to stay in their guesthouses – some of which are named after the owner’s wives (yep, I like this… Cynthia’s Homestay has a ring to it). So, if you want more time in the mountains, try and book somewhere for a night or so.
If you’re after a chilled day walk, then take the 13km Kadvan Valley Ruins route from Sentob. You’ll walk to the site of the former town while looking down on the spectacular Kadvan Valley and the Nuratau Mountains (note: if like me, you like rock, there are some stonking plateaus here).
You’ll also pass petroglyphs, which scientists predict from the Bronze Age, carved into the rock face. This route has 220 meters of climb and a round trip should take around 4 hours. Again, install maps.me for this (I swear I’m not even endorsing them, the app is just useful ;)).
For the hiking hounds, many travellers stay in Sentob prior to climbing the magnificent Gora Khayatbashi at 1,865 meters. Please, do your research before and ensure you’re fully equipped and prepared before setting off… Mountain Rescue is veeeeeeeery different here.
How to get to Sentob from Samarkand
By private driver: the trip from central Samarkand to Sentob is around two-and-a-half hours so it is worth trying to organize this in Samarkand. Ask at your hostel/hotel for a service and agree your price beforehand. It should cost around $30 one way.
By tour: the easiest way to get to Sentob and the Nuratau Mountains is by a guided tour. These tours are usually 2 days but if you have the time, is more than worth it! It will give you an insight in the rural and mountain life in Uzbekistan.
4. Lake Aydarkul
- Time needed: Two days is preferable
When you see Lake Aydarkul’s waters lap its sandy plains, it’s easy to pinch yourself thinking it’s some trick. It’s not!
The man-made reserve is within the Kyzyl Kum desert, 300km from Samarkand. It was formed after the Soviet government ordered the Syr Darya and the Amur Darya rivers to be diverted to irrigate land and cotton plantations in 1969.
In spring, the spot flourishes as a sanctuary for thousands of birds and in the blistering heat of summer, the waters are a little dose of paradise for swimmers. You can take a walk among the wild red tulips, read a book by the shores or have a dip.
If you’re needing some time to switch off, plan one or two nights here at the yurt camp. I’d really recommend a stay in a yurt camp to understand the nomadic and village life in Uzbekistan. It’s also one of the coolest ways to sit back and gaze at the starry sky in the desert.
There are two yurt camps east of the lake in Dungalok. Prices vary and they close from November through to mid-March. If there’s one or two of you, rocking up and asking for space can work but if there are more of you, it’s best to try to book ahead.
How to get there from Samarkand
By tour: the drive depends on what side of Lake Aydarkul you’re traveling to (from central Samarkand to Aidar Yurt Camp, west of the lake, is under four hours, but the eastern side will shave off more travel time). For a mini-trip, it’s worth seeing if you can book a small tour or agree with a driver for drop-off and pick-up times.
By tour: Why not combine your trip to Lake Aydarkul in a series of Uzbek delights? I offer a 14-day highlights tour which takes care of the complexities of organizing and transport. The tour includes one night in a yurt camp in the desert and a camel ride to the shores of Lake Aydarkul.
Step into the heart of the Silk Road and experience Uzbekistan beyond the guidebooks: from the blue domes of Samarkand to remote desert landscapes and hidden mountain trails.
Join the 14-day Highlights of Uzbekistan Adventure Tour and experience the country in a deeper, more meaningful way!
5. Penjikent (Tajikistan)
- Time needed: Two days is preferable
So, a speedy history lesson about Tajikistan! Just can’t stop passing on my wisdom (don’t hate me).
The ancient dwelling of Penjikent was established more than 5,000 years ago and still sits proud, in a crumbly sort of way, at the top of a hill on the southern side of what is now the modern Penjikent, which is also written as Panjakent.
If you have a Google, it’s immediately obvious why this spot was cemented as a brilliant stop-off for traders thousands of years ago. Penjikent was also intrinsic to those journeying the Silk Road and still to this day is a lively city for traders, travellers and tourists crossing Tajikistan to Uzbekistan.
The modern Penjikent meets the banks of the Zarafshan River and has a market bazaar with a myriad of stalls to have a nosey around.
There’s also a mausoleum and a museum dedicated to the Persian poet and musician Rudaki. He was one of the first poets of the Samanid era and there’s so much to learn about his influence in Tajikistan here.
Oh and don’t forget the ruins of the old Penjikent! It’s a cracking view from the hill.
Being a just over one hour’s drive from Samarkand, Penjikent is a good choice for a quick day trip, or stay the night and take your time to explore.
Note: Depending on your residence, you may need an eVisa to get through border control, entering and leaving, so make sure you check if you qualify and apply one week before. Goes without saying but don’t forget your passport either ;).
How to get from Samarkand to Penjikent
By shared taxi: there is no public transport crossing the border so you must take one shared taxi from central Samarkand to the border and then another from the border to Penjikent. Each trip will cost around US $2 (20,000 UZS) and will take around 1 hour 30 minutes in total. Taxis leave from Pandjakent Koutchasi, the south eastern part of the Registan.
By private tour: travel agents in Uzbekistan can arrange the trip which includes transportation, a guide and a border crossing ‘fee’. You can ask at the tourist information center at Samarkand or book a tour online.
6. Haft Kul (Seven lakes), Tajikistan
- Time needed: at least two days
Haft Kul, which translates to Seven Lakes in Tajik, are a series of glacial-melt lakes that form a chain along a narrow windy road in the Fann Mountains.
Each lake has a different name, shape and color and they are all connected by the Shing River. The name of the lakes are as follows: Mijgon (lake #1) – Soya (lake #2) – Gusbor (lake #3) – Nofin (lake #4) – Khurdak (lake #5) – Marguzor (lake #6) – Hazorchazma (lake #7).
A landslide formed the waters, creating seven different dams across the Shing River. You could hike the whole length of the 15km road that winds its way through the narrow valley and the lakes.
The trail goes along a dirt road and is very straightforward. The elevation gain is also quite moderate, knowing that the first lake lies at an altitude of 1598 meters and the seventh lake at an altitude of 2400 meters.
You can start hiking from the village of Mogiyon, located just before the first lake. This village can be reached by taking a shared taxi from the city of Penjikent.
How to get there from Samarkand
From Samarkand to Penjikent:
There is no public transport crossing the border so you must take one shared taxi from central Samarkand to the border and then another from the border to Penjikent. Each trip will cost around US $2 (20,000 UZS) and will take around 1 hour 30 minutes in total. Taxis leave from Pandjakent Koutchasi, the south eastern part of the Registan.
From Penjikent to Mogiyon:
Penjakent is the general starting point for a trip to the Fann Mountains. From Penjakent you can find public transport (shared taxi or minibus) near the bazaar to Mogiyon which is the starting point for the seven lakes trail.
You can also book a tour from Samarkand to Haft Kul:
Where to stay in Samarkand
Samarkand is the perfect base for all these day trips. The best area to stay in Samarkand is in the city center near Registan as most of the city’s attractions (and taxi stands) are just a10 to 15 minutes walk from there. Here are some of my personal recommendations:
1. best Hostel in Samarkand
I stayed in Amir Hostel during my first visit to Samarkand and really felt very good here!
The owners were very welcoming and the location of the hostel is located within a 20-minute walking distance from Registan.
Check out the rates and availability for “Amir Hostel”
2. Best mid-range guesthouses in Samarkand
I stayed at Furkat Guest House during my last visit to Samarkand in 2022 and really loved it there!
This family-run guesthouse is located within a 5-minute walking distance from Registan and when you go up to the rooftop terrace, you can even see the blue domes of the madrasahs on Registan!
The owner is very friendly, there’s a cozy inner courtyard and the rooms give you a homely feel.
Check out the rates and availability for “Furkat Guest House”
Alisher Hotel is a family-owned business, run by very warm and helpful people.
The rooms are clean and comfortable, the breakfast is very tasty and there’s even an inner yard where you can relax.
The hotel is right in the center of Samarkand and is located within walking distance of all the main sites.
Check out the rates and availability for “UYUT”
3. Best high-end hotels in Samarkand
This beautiful small boutique hotel is located on the pedestrianized street within walking distance to all the main sights of Samarkand.
All the spacious rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels, and a safety deposit box. The hotel also has a garden where you can relax after a day of sightseeing.
Check out the rates and availability for “Sangzor Boutique Hotel”
If you like to splurge a bit, you’ll definitely get value for your money at this 4-star hotel!
Platan is a small and luxurious hotel with a well-kept garden and a good atmosphere.
The rooms are large and clean with great facilities (like a coffee machine in the room!) and the hotel is located within a 30-minute walking distance from Registan Square.
Check out the rates and availability for “Platan”
I hope this guide gave you plenty of information and inspiration for your visit to Shahrisabz and/or other day trips from Samarkand! If you have any additional information or questions, let me and other readers know in the comments below!
| 👉Tashkent City Guide | 👉Samarkand City Guide |
| 👉Bukhara City Guide | 👉Khiva City Guide |
| 👉Shahrisabz City Guide | 👉 Karakalpakstan Guide |
| 👉Fergana Valley Guide |
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Very useful report! Thanks.
Do you know The Palace Complex of Ak-Saray, Dor-ut Tilovat Complex and Dor-us Siyadat Complex opening hours/days?
In the report are mentioned only the ones of the museum, so I guess the other site are opened all day long. Could you please confirm? Thanks
Hi Barbara, all the complexes have the same opening hours as the musea. Best wishes, Cynthia