Backpacking Through Bukhara and Samarkand

No trip to Uzbekistan is complete without a visit to the ancient Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Samarkand. Compared to the rest of Central Asia, which is rich in backpacking trails and rugged mountains, Uzbekistan has an abundance of architecture and Bukhara and Samarkand are arguably the best two cities to witness this.

Although Bukhara and Samarkand are located just two and a half hours away from one another by the high-speed Sharq train, they are completely different and unique in their own way.

Bukhara

Recommended Time: 2 days minimum

Bukhara is smaller than Samarkand, but is a city you should dedicate more days to. Unlike Samarkand, it feels like you’re in an ancient city.

Method of travel:  Take a taxi from the train station to city center. Once you’re in the center, you can reach all places by foot.

Places of interest:

Ark citadel: The fortified residence of the rulers of Bukhara during the ancient times

Kalyan Minaret: 47 meter high minaret built in 1127 by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan. This minaret is nicknamed the “Tower of Death” because criminals were once tossed to their death from the top!

Po-i-Kalyan: Persian for “The Foot of the Great.” Religious complex located where the Kalyan Minaret is.

Shah-i-Zinda: A short drive away from the main center of Samarkand where Registan is. Here lies a number of mausoleums, most notably the grave of Qusam ibn-Abbas, who is said to have brought Islam to the area in the 7th century.

Gur Emir Mausoleum is also another great place to check out. These three alone will occupy an entire day and are the main places you would want to see.

Bukhara or Samarkand?

That’s tough to say. Hopefully you have enough time to see both as they are must see cities. If you we’re extremely short on time, then I’d recommend Samarkand since it’s closer to Tashkent (likely your point of entry). With Samarkand, you have the iconic Registan. There is something about that picture that just says “Wow!” Personally however, I did enjoy Bukhara more because of the old city feel. Samarkand is a modern city, which does take away a bit from the experience. In Bukhara, it feels like one is traveling through time. When you do visit these cities, make sure you bring a spare battery! It’s really that photogenic….