Eternity Adorned in Turquoise
Irina Smirnova, a well-known culinary blogger, shares her impressions of traveling to the Pearl of the East:
Samarkand isn't just a dot on the map. It's a state of mind, a wellspring of stories and colors that completely rebooted my creative vision. Before my trip, I was drawn to the image of the "Blue City" with its gleaming domes, expecting a beautiful postcard. But Samarkand surpassed all expectations: I stepped into a living, pulsating organism where history breathes in every stone. This city changes you, and that's the most valuable takeaway.
My Top 5 Places: A Dialogue with the "Pearl of the East"
1. The Registan: Giant Candles of Eternity
The Registan Square is breathtaking. Its true inspiration didn't hit me immediately—it arrived in the evening when the lights turned on. At night, the Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari madrasahs transformed into giant candles. Sitting on the cool stone, I felt my perception of time shift. These walls witnessed scholars, poets, merchants... Their energy makes you realize that true art is eternal. That's the feeling I strive to capture in my videos.
If you're visiting for the first time, I'd suggest starting with Shah-i-Zinda first, then coming to the Registan. Your appreciation will be deeper.
2. Shah-i-Zinda: The Most Poetic Street in the World
Shah-i-Zinda was my greatest discovery and the most inspiring location. It isn't a single building but an entire avenue of mausoleums lining a narrow, paved road. Climbing the stairs feels like a journey through the ages. The turquoise mosaic and the play of light and shadow in the arched doorways... This place taught me to see beauty in the details. Every tile here is a story, every ornamental swirl a message. It's an incredibly meditative spot that will set the perfect tone for your Samarkand experience.
3. Siyob Bazaar: The City's Beating Heart
If the Registan is the soul of Samarkand, the Siyob Bazaar is its beating heart. Here, inspiration finds you. The bright colors of spices, the golden mountains of non (flatbread), the sweet scent of uruk (dried apricot), and fresh-baked bread. I tasted authentic plov and samsa, and it was more than just a meal—it was a cultural revelation. The good-natured vendors offered samples and shared stories, and their sincerity and hospitality energized me more than any historical site.
As a food blogger, I realized that Samarkand's cuisine is defined by generosity and unhurried preparation. Plov is a ritual that unites people, and crispy tandoor-baked samsa is ready-made inspiration for an autumn shoot!
4. Gur-i-Amir: An Intimate Vibe of Grandeur
Gur-i-Amir, Tamerlane's mausoleum, struck me not with its scale, but with its intimate, almost chamber-like atmosphere of grandeur. The jade tombstone, the delicate stone carvings, the sky-blue dome... There's no rush here. It’s a place for silence and reflection, which reminded me that even the most ambitious plans start with simple ideas. In the evening, a sacred silence falls, where you can hear only the whispers of history.
5. Bibi-Khanym Mosque: Strength and Fragility
Bibi-Khanym Mosque exudes a powerful yet mournful energy. The colossal ruins still spark the imagination. The smell of dust and ancient stone mixed with the aroma of rose petals sold near the entrance—a true sensory cocktail. This location inspires creativity rooted in contrasts: strength and fragility, past and present.
Turquoise, Girih, and Comfort
Samarkand’s architecture is now reflected in my creative work. The key color for me is turquoise. It’s the color of the Samarkand sky, of purity and spirituality, and it will be a major accent in my future photo sessions. Samarkand is also full of geometric patterns, or girih, which reflect the connection of all things in life.
For me, meeting the locals transformed Samarkand from an outdoor museum into a home. Their genuine, unpretentious hospitality—where vendors at the bazaar treat you, ask where you're from, and wish you well—it's an invaluable feeling. I found "Samarkand comfort" in the chaykhana (teahouse)—the unhurried ritual of sharing green tea around a dastarkhan (low table), in the simplicity and warmth of human connection.
Samarkand taught me to travel slower and deeper. It's not about the number of locations; it's about the depth of immersion, absorbing the atmosphere, and talking to people. If I could describe Samarkand in one phrase, it would be "Eternity Adorned in Turquoise"—a blend of time's enduring power and unearthly beauty.
Photos by Khamdam Sharakhmedov and Mukhiddin A Lee
