Samarkand, the second-largest city in Uzbekistan is the capital of Samargand Province.
In 2001 UNESCO added this magnificent city to its World Heritage List. Samarkand
features a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and relatively wet, cool winters. The
weather changes sharply from summer to winter.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque remains one of the city's most notable landmarks. The outer walls
are 167 metres in length and 109 metres in width. There is a large marble Quran stand
in the centre of the courtyard.The Registan Square also known as 'jewel in Central Asia's crown' is well worth visiting. Entry costs just a few dollars (5000Uz Som) .
It
represent one of the most relevant examples of Islamic architecture. Gur-e-Amir is a
mausoleum of the Asian conqueror Tamerlane. It occupies an important place in the
history of Persian Architecture.
Bielding is the great set-piece architectural ensemble of
Samarkand that exemplifies the harmonious blend of beautiful 15th and 17th century
buildings. Today Samarkand is being turned into an theme park, a too-perfect copy of a
lost world that might fit in Las Vegas but seems painfully out of place here.
