A Guide to Registan Square in Samarkand, the Blue City! Highlights and How to Get There for Uzbekistan’s Pride

Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL.

If there’s one place that draws in everyone who visits Samarkand in Uzbekistan, it’s Registan Square.

In this article, I’ll share my impressions from visiting, how to get there and things to watch out for! If you’re planning to sightsee in Uzbekistan, I hope it helps!

What Is Registan Square?

Registan Square is a vast square in the heart of the old town of Samarkand, Uzbekistan’s “Blue City,” and a symbol of the glory of the Timurid Empire.

Its name means “place of sand,” and it was once the heart of an oasis city where Silk Road travelers came and went. Today it’s also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

The blue brilliance of the three huge madrasas (Islamic schools) standing on the left, right and center is a beauty that overwhelms everyone who sees it.

The Three Madrasas

Registan Square is made up of three huge madrasas standing on the left, right and front.

Ulugh Beg Madrasa (on the left as you face it)

Completed in 1420, it’s the oldest building on the square. It was built by Ulugh Beg, the fourth ruler of the dynasty, Timur’s grandson and an astronomer himself.

• A temple of learning: At the time, more than 100 students lived here, studying not only Islamic theology but also mathematics and astronomy.
• Designs worthy of an astronomer: The 35 m-high entrance arch is decorated with tile patterns featuring a “blue star” motif that reflects Ulugh Beg’s tastes. Its precision almost seems to anticipate computer graphics.

Sher-Dor Madrasa (on the right as you face it)

Completed in 1636, it was built facing the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, modeled on it. Its most striking feature is the entrance arch.

• A design that broke a taboo: Islam traditionally forbids the depiction of idols, yet here there are mosaics of a “sun with a human face” and a “lion (which also looks like a tiger).”
• A display of the ruler’s power: Legend has it that the ruler of the time deliberately broke the taboo and had them depicted to show off his power.

Tilya-Kori Madrasa (center front)

Built in 1660, this building completed the harmony of the square. Because the surrounding mosques had already fallen into ruin, it was also built to serve as a place of prayer.

• “Gilded,” just as the name says: Tilya-Kori means “gilded.” True to its name, the dome ceiling and prayer hall inside are decorated with as much as 3 kg of gold.
• A breathtaking interior: Step inside and look up at the ceiling, and you’ll see magnificent gold decoration spreading out above you. Simply stunning.

How to Enjoy Registan Square

Check out how to enjoy the square before you visit!

Spectacular views of the old town from the top of a minaret

You can actually climb to the top of the minaret on the north side of the Ulugh Beg Madrasa. It’s a photo spot where you can see the whole of magnificent Registan Square and the old streets of Samarkand from a slightly unusual angle.

Browsing the shops inside the madrasas

Many of the small rooms (hujras) where students once lived are now craftsmen’s workshops and boutique shops. Each building has its own distinctive shops selling suzani (embroidery), miniature paintings, traditional instruments and more, and hunting for one-of-a-kind pieces while soaking up the beautiful atmosphere of the courtyards is a wonderful way to spend time.

Magical illumination and shows at night

After sunset the square is lit up and bathed in magical colors. Depending on the season, and if you’re lucky, there’s also a spectacular projection mapping show depicting the history of Samarkand.

Getting to Registan Square

Here are the ways to get to the square after you arrive in Samarkand.

Taxi

From Samarkand Station to the square, a taxi costs roughly 5,000–15,000 so’m.

You can either hail a taxi on the street or use a ride-hailing app. Street taxis require negotiation, and English often isn’t understood in Uzbekistan, so we recommend using an app.

Yandex, the Central Asian ride-hailing app, also works in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. However, you’ll need a SIM card to use the app. You can pay by cash or card.

Bus

Take bus No. 3 from near Samarkand Station and you’ll arrive in front of Registan Square in about 30 minutes. The fare is about 5,000 som. There are lots of buses and it can be confusing, so if you’re unsure, we recommend a taxi or a tour.

Tour

If you’re worried about the language in an unfamiliar place, a tour with transfers is the most reassuring option. No need to worry about getting lost, and you can see the sights efficiently.

My Top Pick! The Night Illumination Is an Unforgettable Sight

Samarkand blue in the daytime is of course beautiful, but what moved me most was the night illumination.

After dark, the three madrasas float magically out of the darkness. In the hushed square, the beauty of the blue tiles bathed in light is truly breathtaking.

The atmosphere was so mystical that it was a luxurious moment in which I was sure: “It was really worth coming to Samarkand just to see this.”

Being able to enjoy it at leisure is a privilege of those who stay overnight in Samarkand. Do stay a night and enjoy an evening stroll.

Visit the Place Where Samarkand’s Soul Lives On

Registan Square, the symbol of Samarkand, isn’t just a place to look at history; it’s a popular spot still alive with the handiwork of craftsmen and the energy of the people passing through.

Being captivated by the blue of the intricate tiles, overwhelmed by the golden prayer hall, and then hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs in the small rooms of the madrasas will surely be a special experience you can’t have anywhere else.

At ASHU TRAVEL, we fully support trips to Uzbekistan that let you enjoy this “Blue City” with all five senses. Until now we’ve mainly offered fully custom-made arrangements, but we’ll soon be launching our long-awaited regular Uzbekistan tours.

We’re preparing plans that let you experience the charms of Uzbekistan more easily and from ASHU TRAVEL’s own in-depth perspective, so please stay tuned!