{"id":12760,"date":"2026-01-12T04:19:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T19:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ashu-travel.com\/news\/a-guide-to-registan-square-in-samarkand-the-blue-city-highlights-and-how-to-get-there-for-uzbekistans-pride\/"},"modified":"2026-10-01T21:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:07:36","slug":"registan-square-samarkand-guide","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ashu-travel.com\/en\/news\/registan-square-samarkand-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Registan Square in Samarkand, the Blue City! Highlights and How to Get There for Uzbekistan’s Pride"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Salam! This is Sugi from ASHU TRAVEL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there’s one place that draws in everyone who visits Samarkand in Uzbekistan, it’s Registan Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Registan Square?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f Registan Square\n <\/p>\n \n

\n \ud83d\udccd Address:<\/strong> Registan St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan\n <\/p>\n \n

\n \u23f0 Opening hours:<\/strong> Daily 7:00 to 24:00
\n *Shortened to 8:00 to 20:00 in winter (November 20 to February 20)<\/span>\n <\/p>\n \n

\n \ud83d\udcb0 Admission:<\/strong> 65,000 som
\n \ud83c\udfa7 Audio guide:<\/strong> 100,000 som extra\n <\/p>\n \n

\n \ud83c\udfab Ticket office:<\/strong> Located on the west side of the square. The entrance gate is also on the west side.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n \u2728 Tip<\/strong>
\n The evening illumination starts at around 19:00. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a spectacular projection mapping show!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Three Madrasas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Registan Square is made up of three huge madrasas standing on the left, right and front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ulugh Beg Madrasa (on the left as you face it)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • A temple of learning<\/strong>: At the time, more than 100 students lived here, studying not only Islamic theology but also mathematics and astronomy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Designs worthy of an astronomer<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Sher-Dor Madrasa (on the right as you face it)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Completed in 1636, it was built facing the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, modeled on it. Its most striking feature is the entrance arch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • A design that broke a taboo<\/strong>: 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).”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A display of the ruler’s power<\/strong>: Legend has it that the ruler of the time deliberately broke the taboo and had them depicted to show off his power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Tilya-Kori Madrasa (center front)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • “Gilded,” just as the name says<\/strong>: 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<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • A breathtaking interior<\/strong>: Step inside and look up at the ceiling, and you’ll see magnificent gold decoration spreading out above you. Simply stunning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        How to Enjoy Registan Square<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        Check out how to enjoy the square before you visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Spectacular views of the old town from the top of a minaret<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Browsing the shops inside the madrasas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Magical illumination and shows at night<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Getting to Registan Square<\/h2>\n\n\n\n