The Ulug Bek Madrassa is Samarkand’s oldest surviving madrassa. It is the oldest one in the whole of Central Asia. Tamerlane’s grandson Ulug Bek had the madrassa completed by 1420. Ulug Bek was a well known astronomer of his time. His interest in the subject is reflected in the star motif on the tall pishtak (portal). During 1428 – 29 Mirzo Ulugbek, a famous scientist and statesman built the famous Ulugbek observatory, which is situated in the north eastern part of the city. A little ahead you will find the ruins of Afrosiyob, an ancient city built before the Arabs invaded Samarkand. This city was famous for its architecture.

The Shir Dor Madrassa, located in front of the Ulug Beg Madrassa, was built 200 years later. The building’s portal has unusual representations of creatures with human faces and animal bodies. Complementing the group is the third building, which is known as the Tillya Kari Madrassa. Vendors sell souvenirs, crafts and carpets in the courtyard of these buildings.

The Shokhi-Zinda Necropolis is known as the grave of Kusam ibn Abbos - the cousin of Prophet Muhammad. According to a legend, the mausoleum was built on a site where Kussam once disappeared in a well which was thought to be the entrance of an underground palace and where he continues to live until these days. This is why the necropolis is referred to as Shokhi-Zinda meaning "alive king". This architectural ensemble consists of arrays of mosques and mausoleums built in XIV ^th -XV ^th centuries.

The interiors and façade of this mausoleum are covered in glazed and carved aquamarine and turquoise tiles in geometrical and floral patterns. From here you get a good view of the city's main market.

140 kilometers from Bukhara lies one of the most amazing places in Uzbekistan - The Sarmishsai gorge. The rocks of Sarmishsai gorge hold a unique gallery of petroglyphs dating to the Bronze Age and presenting a collection of over 4000 rock paintings made by the world's first artists. The gallery has been created by nomad population of the Zarafshan Valley and carries knowledge of life, history and culture during the period of 7000-5000 BC. Ancient artists strived to capture the beauty of surrounding world, depicting animals, birds and hunting scenes. Apparently, the artists used ropes to hang down from the top of the rocks to engrave their drawings.

Surrounding the rocks are several burial mounds and sacrificial places of the nomads. From ancient times this was considered a cult area and was used for cult ceremonies and religious celebrations. Today the Sarmish gorge is considered a possible anomalous zone; several expeditions were sent to this area in search for a UFO, which may have crushed in the Kyzylkums.

Chashma Complex is one of the most important religious centers and pilgrimage destinations in the region. The ensemble consists of Djuma Mosque, Chashma well, Nur-ata Mazar, hamom (bathhouse) and a sacred spring running through the whole complex. The spring is full with fish which is considered sacred. Djuma Mosque stands over the spring on 40 columns, the diameter of the mosque dome is nearly 16 meters. The Besh Pyandja well (from Persian = palm of a hand) is 6 meters deep and actually has the form of a palm.