A foothill town known for its textile market and an ancient plane tree garden.
Urgut is a foothill town about 45 km east of Samarkand in Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan, reached in around an hour by road. The bazaar is open daily, but its textile and jewellery section at the back runs mainly on Sunday and Wednesday and to a lesser extent Saturday, according to Lonely Planet, which advises arriving at dawn for the best choice and notes the market overflows with tourists in high season. Suzani embroidery, scarves and local crafts are the main purchases, and bargaining is expected. The Chor Chinor garden, at about 39.387 N 67.240 E, holds a plane tree said to have been planted in 860 CE with a cave-like hollow beneath its roots, and the old quarter has one-story adobe houses. Urgut is also the gateway for Amankutan and tulip-field tours in spring. Lonely Planet's shared-taxi fare was 7,000 UZS (about 45 minutes) and marshrutka 4,000 UZS from the corner of Dagbit and Registan; these figures are old, so expect higher prices and confirm on the day. A private car for the day costs about $50-100.
| Distance | About 45 km east |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1 hour each way |
| Getting there | Shared taxi from the stand at the corner of Dagbit and Registan streets in Samarkand, about 7,000 UZS (~$0.60) per seat reported by Lonely Planet (older figure); about 45 minutes |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Urgut, Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan |
How to get there
- Mode
- Shared taxi
- Cost
- About 7,000 UZS (~$0.60), older Lonely Planet figure; confirm on the day
- Frequency
- Leaves when full; stand at corner of Dagbit and Registan streets
- Mode
- Marshrutka minibus
- Cost
- About 4,000 UZS (~$0.33), older Lonely Planet figure
- Frequency
- Frequent in the morning
- Mode
- Private car with driver
- Cost
- About $50-100 (600,000-1,200,000 UZS) for a full day
- Frequency
- On request
Location
Urgut, Samarkand Region, Uzbekistan
39.4092, 67.2494 View on map
Highlights
- Urgut Bazaar textile and jewellery section on Sunday and Wednesday
- Chor Chinor plane tree garden
- Suzani and embroidery shopping
- Nearby mountain villages
Tips for visiting
- Go on Sunday or Wednesday for the full textile market.
- Arrive by 09:00; the best pieces go early.
- Bargain politely and carry small bills.
- Combine with Konigil on the same day by private car.
When to visit
Sunday or Wednesday mornings; spring and autumn.
Accessibility
The bazaar has uneven ground and crowded aisles; Chor Chinor has uneven paths. Wheelchair access is limited.
Frequently asked questions
When is Urgut Bazaar best?
Sunday and Wednesday for textiles and jewellery, less so on Saturday.
How do visitors get there?
Shared taxi or marshrutka from the corner of Dagbit and Registan in Samarkand, about 45 minutes.
What is Chor Chinor?
A garden with a plane tree said to date from 860 CE.