Shahrisabz

Shahrisabz (Uzbek: Shahrisabz, "the green city") is an ancient town in the Kashkadarya Region of Uzbekistan, 90 km south of Samarkand across the Zarafshan Range. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2016 because of demolition in the historic quarter around Ak-Saray. The town's chief claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Timur (Tamerlane): the great conqueror was born here in 1336 and later built grand palaces and mosques in Shahrisabz as a symbolic capital of his empire.

The population is around 100,000. Most of the historical sites are within walking distance of one another. A single day is usually enough to see them, although admirers of Timurid architecture may want to stay overnight.

Main sights

Ak-Saray Palace

The "White Palace" (1380–1404) was the grandest structure of the Timurid era and Tamerlane's summer residence. All that survives are the two colossal pylons of the entrance gate, about 38 m high (originally over 65 m), with magnificent mosaic facing in blue and gold tilework. The inscription above the gate read: "If you doubt our power, look at our buildings."

Hours: 8:00–19:00 · Entry: ~20,000 som (about $1.70)

Dorut Tilovat complex

"The seat of power and might" is a memorial and religious complex of the 14th–15th centuries, comprising:

Kok Gumbaz Mosque (1436) — the "Blue Dome", built by Ulugh Beg in honour of his father Shahrukh. One of the most beautiful mosques in Uzbekistan.
Gumbazi Seyidan Mausoleum ("Dome of the Sayyids", 15th c.) — the burial place of local religious figures.
Mausoleum of Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal (14th c.) — the tomb of Tamerlane's spiritual mentor.

Entry: ~20,000 som (about $1.70)

Dorus Saodat complex

"The seat of authority and well-being" is a memorial complex that Timur conceived as his own burial place:

Mausoleum of Jahangir — the tomb of Timur's eldest son, who died young in 1376. It was after his death that Tamerlane began building the ceremonial mausoleum.
Timur's crypt — an underground tomb intended for Tamerlane himself. The conqueror was in fact buried in Samarkand (Gur-e Amir), but the crypt survives.
Hazrati Imam Mosque — a working mosque next to the complex.

Entry: ~20,000 som (about $1.70)

Tamerlane House Museum

A small history museum in the town centre devoted to the life and times of Timur. The displays cover the conqueror's origins, his military campaigns and his building projects, with maps of the conquests, weapons and reconstructions.

Hours: 9:00–18:00 · Entry: ~15,000 som (about $1.30)

Getting there

From Samarkand

Taxi / shared minibus — over the Takhtakaracha Pass (1,675 m), 90 km, 1.5–2 hours. A taxi costs 120,000–180,000 som ($10–15) one way, a shared minibus 25,000–35,000 som ($2–3).
Organised tour — most visitors come as a day trip from Samarkand with a guide (300,000–480,000 som, $25–40 per person).

From Karshi

Taxi or shared minibus, ~1 hour, 70 km.

Getting around town

All the main sites are within walking distance — it is about 1 km from Ak-Saray to Dorut Tilovat. For trips around town:

Taxi — 12,000–35,000 som ($1–3) within the town
On foot — the preferred option

Where to stay

Shahrisabz is most often visited as a day trip from Samarkand, but there are several guesthouses:

Budget (guesthouses): 70,000–180,000 som ($6–15) a night
Mid-range: 240,000–420,000 som ($20–35) a night

Food

Uzbek cuisine, much like that of Samarkand and Bukhara:

Plov — 25,000–35,000 som ($2–3)
Shashlik — 35,000–60,000 som ($3–5)
Samsa — 4,000–6,000 som ($0.30–0.50)
Lagman — 18,000–30,000 som ($1.50–2.50)

There are several teahouses (chaikhanas) on the square near Ak-Saray. Prices are as of 2026.

Useful tips

The best time to visit is April–May and September–October (summer heat reaches +40°C)
The road over the Takhtakaracha Pass is scenic, with fine mountain views
A UNESCO site, but far less touristy than Samarkand — you will be among locals rather than visitors
A combined ticket for all the sites (~50,000 som, about $4) is cheaper than buying them separately