CityBuddy
Shah-i-Zinda
Best time to visit
Early morning from 7-9 AM when the sun shines diagonally across the blue facades and the tourist buses have not yet arrived. Spring and autumn have the most pleasant temperatures for walking in the alley.
Budget tips
The entrance fee is about 40,000 som (approximately 35 SEK), paying locally in som is easiest. The Samarkand pass, which covers several attractions in the city, is sometimes included, check with your hotel reception.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, History lovers, Pilgrims and spiritual seekers, Architecture enthusiasts
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Over 40 mausoleums crowd along a narrow alley, each covered in blue and turquoise glazed bricks. The burial complex grew over 300 years and each ruler tried to outdo the previous one with their magnificent tomb chamber.
Highlights: At the top of the stairs lies the grave of Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad who according to legend did not die but lives on underground. That is why the place is called "The Tomb of the Living King" and you can still see pilgrims leave small notes with prayers at his mausoleum.
Insider tips
- Bring a small flashlight to see the details in the darker burial chambers at the far end.
- Photograph from the bottom of the stairs upward for the best picture of the entire alley with all the domes.
- Dress covered over shoulders and knees, this is an active pilgrimage site and respect is expected.
- Skip the middle of the day between 12-2 PM when the sun is directly overhead and creates flat shadows.
Where to Stay in Samarkand
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
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