Shakhrisabz & Kashkadarya Travel Guide

Amir Timur’s homeland. The historic centre of Shakhrisabz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the giant gateway of the Ak-Saray palace, the Dorut Tilavat and Dorus Saodat complexes and the Kok Gumbaz mosque, while the Hissar mountains to the east hide hiking trails and villages far from the tourist routes.

Regional centre: Karshi
Area: 28,400 km²
Population: 3,200,000
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 1

Top places to visit in Shakhrisabz and Kashkadarya

Shakhrisabz Historic Centre — Shakhrisabz
Ak-Saray Palace Ruins — Shakhrisabz
Shakhrisabz Plov Cooking Class — Shakhrisabz
Kok Gumbaz Mosque — Shakhrisabz
Chirakchi Village Culture Tour — Chirakchi
Dorus Siadat Mausoleum Complex — Shakhrisabz
Kashkadarya Food Experience — Karshi
Shakhrisabz Silk Workshop — Shakhrisabz
Kashkadarya Mountain Trekking — Shakhrisabz
Karshi Bazaar and Old Town — Karshi
Yakkabag Waterfalls — Yakkabag
Kitab Latitude Station — Kitab
Karshi Ancient Fortress Ruins — Karshi
Mubarek Industrial Tour — Mubarek

Plan your trip to Shakhrisabz and Kashkadarya

When is the best time to visit Shakhrisabz & Kashkadarya?

April–May and September–October; summer is the season for the Hissar mountains.

How do I get to Shakhrisabz and Kashkadarya?

Shakhrisabz is about 90 km south of Samarkand over the Takhtakaracha pass, around 1.5–2 hours by car, and is often visited as a day trip. Karshi, the regional centre, has an airport and trains from Tashkent.

How many days do I need in Shakhrisabz and Kashkadarya?

One day from Samarkand for Shakhrisabz; two or three days to explore the Hissar mountains.