Samarkand is Uzbekistan's Silk Road showpiece, a 2,700-year-old city of turquoise domes, the Registan's three madrasas, Timur's tomb and the tiled mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Greet with a handshake and a hand on the heart; men shake men's hands, women often just nod.
Remove shoes when entering homes, guesthouse courtyards and raised tea platforms (tapchan).
Accept tea and bread when offered; refusing a first offer can seem impolite.
Dress modestly at mosques and mausoleums such as Gur-Emir and Shah-i-Zinda; cover shoulders and knees.
Samarkand is more traditional than Tashkent; keep public affection low-key.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet elders first
- Use the right hand to eat, pay and give
- Accept hospitality and tea
- Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women
Don't
- Do not photograph police, military or government buildings
- Do not place bread upside down
- Do not show the soles of the feet
- Do not drink alcohol in public streets
- Do not climb minarets or fenced areas at Registan without official access
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake plus 'Assalomu alaykum'; place the right hand on the heart when greeting elders.
- Dining
- Eat from shared dishes with the right hand; wait for the eldest to start; bread is broken by hand, not cut.
- Dress
- Smart casual; cover shoulders and knees at mosques and mausoleums.
- Gifts
- Bring sweets or fruit if invited to a home.
- Business
- Relationship-based; punctuality valued.
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants (service is sometimes already added); round up taxi fares.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Assalomu alaykum
Hello (Uzbek)
ah-sah-LOH-moo ah-LAY-koom
Rahmat
Thank you
rakh-MAHT
Marhamat
Please / You're welcome
mar-ha-MAT
Ha / Yo'q
Yes / No
ha / yok
Necha pul?
How much?
NECH-ah pool
Mazali
Delicious
mah-ZAH-lee
Xayr
Goodbye
khayr
Zdravstvuyte
Hello (Russian)
ZDRAHST-vooy-tye
Spasibo
Thank you (Russian)
spa-SEE-ba
Salom
Hello (Tajik)
sah-LOM
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Samarkand.
Main: Predominantly Sunni Muslim within a secular state; a large Tajik-speaking community and small Russian Orthodox and other minorities.
Sites: Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan madrasas.
Holy Days: Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha (dates vary each year); Navruz on 21 March is a secular spring festival.
Conversations: Avoid criticising the government; religion is a private topic.