Samarkand

The chances are if you’ve heard of only one place in Central Asia, it would be Samarkand. Long celebrated by Western poets and writers, the name today still evokes all the grandeur of the ancient Silk Road. Nowadays Samarkand is a modern city, with wide boulevards and green parks, and is home to some of the finest Islamic architecture to be seen anywhere in the world. The main historical sights of the city can be visited over a couple of days, but if you are short on time then at least make sure not to miss the Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, and Sha-i-Zinda Necropolis. Samarkand can also be used as an access point for day trips to the ancient town of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane himself.