Ancient Afrasiyab / Maracanda — Attraction in Samarkand City

At the entrance to Samarkand from the north side there is the ancient settlement of Afrasiab (VII-II centuries BC), which is located on high hills. What is amazing that  there were no any sign of the city and local population called this site as the city of Afrasiab, believing in the legend of existence of the huge city, founded by the mythic king Turan. Actually it is the settlement of  ancient Samarkand of pre-Mongol period.  It was the site of urban life from VI century BC till the destruction by Mongol...

Nice spot for a small walk after visiting Bibi Khanum mosque or the Shad-i-Zinda complex. Facsinating to walk through this piece of nature (with sheep and shepherds) whilst having a small lunch break. When we went there, local authorities tried to prevent us from entering at the official entrances (no idea why singmce there clearly were other locals insode of the perimeter). Just walk a bit around and you’ll find a secundary gate or a destroyed piece of wall to get into the domain;...

Basically, there’s nothing. You have to walk half an hour to get to the hill and back, and you’ll see only some ruins (using the fantasy). The site get more interest if you, before, visit the afrasiyab museum, explaining the sense of the settlement. After the visit of the museum you can reach through a grey metal door the top of a close hill where it is supposed the king lived and where the paintings in the museum are from. But believe me, don’t go more inside the hill :...