This jewel of the Silk Road is still as impressive as it ever was

Seven Wonders of Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Some of the world’s most infamous conquerors established empires in Samarkand, the 3000-year-old city that is now part of modern-day Uzbekistan. The jewel of the Silk Road is still replete with impressive architecture and relics.

1 Admire Persian architecture in Registan Square

While Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan both invaded this influential cultural centre, most of the remaining landmarks in Samarkand are from the Islamic reign of the 14th-century Turco-Mongol leader Temur. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site comprises three soaring domed madrassas (schools) in typical Persian architecture, with intricate blue and turquoise mosaics you could study for days. Its grandeur is surpassed only by the light show at night, which is free and held intermittently (confirm with your guide).

2 See goldwork in the Amir Temur Mausoleum

Beat the crowds and visit this 15th-century complex at dusk when its facade is lightly illuminated. Temur, long known in the West as Tamerlane, who waged 25 wars during his reign and by some historical estimates is thought to have killed 5 per cent of the world’s population at the time, is buried in the underground chambers, his tomb marked by a dark green jade stone. His gilded chamber is a remarkable work of art, apparently adorned with four kilograms of 24-carat gold leaf and also featuring white onyx walls and Arabic inscriptions.

3 Wake for sunrise at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis

Also known as “the avenue of mausoleums”, this breathtaking site consists of a series of tombs built in the 14th century bearing striking turquoise and blue tilework, most of it restored. Notice the darker majolica tiles in the mosaic work in the second tomb on the left, which are original tiles dating back to the late 14th century. Sunrise makes for some ethereal light, but beware the influencer invasion.

4 See one of the world’s oldest observatories

The Observatory of Ulugh Beg was built in the 1420s by Temur’s grandson, a mathematician and astrologer. On the site is the partially excavated 15th-century quadrant, an astronomical instrument that preceded the telescope. Buried 11 metres underground, the device was used for naked-eye observations of the sky. Ulugh Beg was later assassinated on the orders of his eldest son, due to the perception that his interest in science conflicted with Islamic beliefs.

5 Check out Samarkand’s tallest mosque

Built by Temur’s primary wife, Bibi Khanym, in the late 14th century, the Bibi Khanym Mosque is Samarkand’s largest monument. The grand arched entrance gate or pishtaq soars to 38 metres, while the main turquoise-tiled dome reaches 40 metres, with two smaller mosques inside the complex. In the central courtyard is a marble book holder crafted for the giant Uthman Koran, believed to date back to the 7th century, that can be viewed in the Hazrati Imam Complex in Tashkent.

6 Buy souvenirs at the bazaar

The Siab Bazaar next to the Bibi Khanym Mosque is more than 2000 years old and served as a vital trading hub on the ancient Silk Road. It stretches five hectares, with vendors selling dried fruit, nuts, pomegranate juice, ceramics, halwa (a Middle Eastern sweet) and traditional “non” bread being pushed in prams. Textile shops selling colourful Uzbek chapan (robes) line the outer perimeter, but scarce lighting inside can make purchases a bit fraught.

7 Visit an ancient paper factory

During the heyday of the Silk Road, Samarkand was a papermaking powerhouse, and a small outfit on the tranquil banks of the Siab River in Konigil village has revived this ancient practise. Founded by master craftsmen the Mukhtarov brothers, the Meros Paper Mill uses laborious ancient methods to make silk paper by hand from mulberry trees, with a traditional water wheel powered by the river to turn gears that mash the mulberry wood.

The writer travelled as a guest of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains. See goldeneagleluxurytrains.com