Things to do in Kokdala

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No. 1 of Night Attractions in Uzbekistan

Registan Square

Registan Square is the central square of the old city of Samarkand and an important center for the city's social life, once surrounded by markets and commercial streets. Today, its most prominent feature is the architectural complex formed by three large madrasas. During the day, you can walk into the courtyards of each madrasa to examine the arcades, painted domes, and small rooms where students once lived. From the second-floor corridors of some courtyards, you can even overlook the city. After nightfall, the lights come on, and the architectural outlines are clearly defined by the warm glow. In the evening, there are often light projection shows using the facades as screens. Dusk to night is a great time to experience the atmosphere of this ancient Silk Road city.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan

Shah-i-Zinda necropolis

Shah-i-Zinda necropolis is a complex of mausoleums located northeast of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, situated on the slopes of the ancient city ruins of Afrasiyab. Dating back to the 11th century, it currently houses over 20 mausoleums and ritual buildings, divided into lower, middle, and upper groups, connected by four domed entrance halls to form a long, sloping corridor of tombs. The building facades are adorned with lapis lazuli blue and turquoise glazed tiles and mosaics, featuring geometric patterns, floral scrolls, and Arabic calligraphy, resembling an open-air museum of blue tiles. On a sunny day, taking a low-angle shot of the layered arches from the entrance steps, or looking back at the blue facades on both sides from the middle of the corridor, are unmissable scenes during a trip to Samarkand.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan

Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex

Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex is the family mausoleum of the Timurid dynasty, located in Samarkand. It is an octagonal building crowned with a large, azure ribbed dome. Several ridges radiate evenly from the apex, and blue, light blue, and white tiles form geometric patterns on it, creating a highly recognizable silhouette on the Samarkand skyline. The entrance portal is adorned with carved bricks and mosaics, with a tower standing on each side. Stepping inside reveals a different world, where the lower half of the walls is covered with onyx slabs, and the arches and inner dome are filled with gilded high-relief paintings, their opulence undimmed even in the dim light. The sarcophagi in the hall are merely markers. The actual burial chamber containing the remains is hidden beneath the ground. Standing in the courtyard and looking up at the large blue dome is also a stop worth making on your Samarkand itinerary.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Bibi-Khanym Mosque is located in the old town of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It adopts the classic layout of a courtyard enclosed by four towering arches, creating an open courtyard over 100m long. The arch is over 30m high, and the main dome is about 40m high. The facades and arches are covered with glazed tiles and geometric patterns, and the blue dome is particularly striking in the sunlight, making it a masterpiece of the Timurid era that showcases the empire's grandeur through its magnificent scale. The giant marble Quran stand in the center of the courtyard is a highlight for visitors. This stone carving from the Timurid dynasty was used to hold a giant scripture, and locals can still often be seen stopping by it today.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Bukhara District

Ark of Bukhara

Ark of Bukhara is a massive royal citadel built of rammed earth. It covers an area of nearly 4 hectares and is surrounded by high walls. Most of the existing structures were built after the 17th century and have been converted into several themed museums, including archaeology, history, numismatics, nature, and manuscripts. The archaeology and history museums house artifacts unearthed from ancient city ruins such as Varakhsha and Paykend, and the former audience hall and coronation hall are also open to visitors. Walking in from the ramp between the two entrance towers, the dim corridor beneath your feet was once the vital passage to the citadel, with storerooms and prison cells on both sides. Many tourists walk through in a hurry, but it is actually worth slowing down to take a closer look.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Bukhara District

Chor Minor Monument

Chor Minor Monument is hidden deep within the alleys of the old town of Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It was originally the gatehouse of a madrasa. The buildings behind it have long been demolished, leaving only this uniquely shaped entrance structure today. The four towers are the signature view here: the earthen-brick towers support turquoise-tiled domes, standing out remarkably against the city's earthy yellow tones, and the decorative patterns on each of the four towers are unique. These towers are not actually true towers. Three were used for storage, and only one contains a staircase. The domed prayer hall in the center of the gatehouse retains a typical Central Asian mosque layout, with impressive acoustics under the dome.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Bukhara District

Sitora-i-Moh-i Khosa palace

Sitora-i-Moh-i Khosa palace is the country residence of the Emir of Bukhara. The complex is divided into old and new sections: the old palace follows traditional Eastern styles, while the new palace was built in the early 20th century during the reign of the last Emir, Alim Khan. It was constructed by renowned Bukhara craftsmen and Russian engineers, blending European-style facades with local craftsmanship such as carved wooden columns and plaster ornaments. The interior remains traditionally divided into male guest areas and female quarters. Today, it serves as a museum of decorative and applied arts. The main building displays 19th- and 20th-century court furniture, porcelain from China and Japan, Russian court art, and jewelry and gold-thread embroidery crafted by Bukhara artisans; the octagonal pavilion exhibits clothing, belts, and footwear worn by Bukhara townspeople from the late 19th to the early 20th century; another exhibition area features traditional embroidered wall hangings known as "Suzani," prayer rugs, other folk textiles, and household utensils, and it also recreates the indoor living scenes of urban Bukhara families.

Tursun Boltaxon Jome‘ Masjid

No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan

Observatory of Ulugbek

Observatory of Ulugbek is one of the great archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Ulugbek is perhaps better known for his achievements as an astronomer than as a ruler. The celestial instrument he designed to observe the positions of stars was 30m long and part of a three-story observatory built in the 1420s; now, only the curved track of the instrument, unearthed in 1908, remains. The small site museum features some miniatures depicting Ulugbek and some old pottery and other artifacts unearthed from Afrasiyab.