Samarkand is a city that seems to have stepped straight out of the pages of a history book. Its magnificent turquoise domes, intricately decorated madrasas and centuries-old monuments tell the story of an important Silk Road trading center that once attracted merchants, scholars and travelers from across the world. However, there is another attraction that offers a rather different experience of this fascinating city: The Eternal City.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: THE ETERNAL CITY, SAMARKAND
Located within the impressive Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex, the Eternal City (Boqiy Shahar) is a purpose-built cultural and entertainment destination designed to recreate the atmosphere of an ancient Silk Road settlement. Although it is not an historic site, the attention to architectural detail makes it an enjoyable place to explore, particularly if you are looking for something different from Samarkand’s magnificent historical monuments.
A Walk Through the Eternal City
The first thing that strikes you is the atmosphere. Narrow cobblestone streets wind between colorful buildings, magnificent archways, turquoise domes and elaborately decorated facades. There are beautiful mosaics, carved wooden doors and traditional courtyards, with architectural influences drawn from different regions of Uzbekistan.
The idea is to bring together the country’s diverse cultural heritage in one location. Streets and buildings take inspiration from places such as Tashkent, Bukhara, Khiva the Fergana Valley. You can wander between different architectural styles, browse the little shops and enjoy the lively surroundings without having to travel hundreds of miles across Uzbekistan.
One of the highlights is the collection of artisan workshops. More than 50 workshops showcase traditional crafts, including knife-making, pottery, ceramics, woodcarving, jewelry making, carpet weaving and the production of traditional mulberry paper. Watching some of these craftspeople at work is particularly interesting, and there are opportunities to purchase locally made souvenirs.
The day after I visited The Eternal City in the evening, I went back there on a knife-making workshop that proved to be one of the highlights of my time in Samarkand.
Dining and Refreshments
There is no shortage of places to stop for something to eat or drink. The Eternal City offers a selection of restaurants, cafes and traditional teahouses, with menus reflecting the different culinary traditions of Uzbekistan.
You can sample familiar Uzbek favorites such as plov, freshly baked Samarkand bread, samsa and grilled meat dishes. Bukhara-style Olot samsa is another specialty worth trying. For something more substantial, restaurants such as Afrasiyob provide an opportunity to enjoy traditional cuisine in surroundings inspired by the region’s history.
There are also smaller cafes and bakeries where you can take a break, enjoy a coffee or simply watch the world go by. The atmosphere is very chilled, particularly toward the evening when the streets fill with visitors and the buildings are illuminated.
The Replica of Ulugbek’s Observatory
One of the most recognizable architectural features of the wider Silk Road Samarkand development is the impressive replica inspired by Ulugbek’s Observatory.
Ulugbek, the 15th-century Timurid ruler and astronomer, was one of the most remarkable scientific figures of his time. His original observatory, built in Samarkand during the 1420s, was an important center of astronomical research. His observations and star catalog were remarkably advanced for their era.
The replica provides a striking visual reminder of Samarkand’s contribution to science and astronomy. It is particularly interesting when considered alongside a visit to the remains of the original observatory elsewhere in the city.
Other than the replica of Ulugbek’s Observatory, there is an entertainment complex where you can ride go-karts, take part in various carnival games and also enjoy the amusement park rides, making for a fun way to end your evening before taking a Yandex-Go taxi back to your hotel, perhaps the Mövenpick Hotel Samarkand where I stayed.
Boat Rides and Waterfront Entertainment
The Eternal City is part of a much larger development built around an extensive rowing canal and waterfront area. This adds another dimension to the experience, particularly for visitors who enjoy getting away from the usual walking tours. I know this because I had the taxi drop me off at the wrong place and I ended up walking about 30 minutes around the rowing canal to the ‘proper’ Eternal City for which I was looking.
Boat rentals are available, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely ride along the canal and take in the surrounding architecture from the water. Depending on the available boats and operating arrangements, it is a pleasant way to spend some time, particularly during the warmer months.
The waterfront also provides attractive photographic opportunities, with the buildings and surrounding landscaped areas creating a rather different backdrop from the historic center of Samarkand, particularly around The Golden Hour as sunset slowly turns the evening light from yellow to dark blue.
Entertainment After Dark
The Eternal City is not simply somewhere to visit during the day. As the evening approaches, the atmosphere changes considerably. Lighting brings colorful architecture to life, restaurants become busier and the entertainment areas start to attract more visitors.
There is an open-air amphitheater that hosts concerts, cultural performances, festivals and other events. Traditional dancers and street entertainers also feature during the warmer months, while some evenings offer live music and DJ performances.
Is the Eternal City Worth Visiting?
I enjoyed my visit to The Eternal City. Once I found the proper place where I was meant to be, I wandered around for about three hours, taking many photos and enjoying dinner alongside the canal. I then wandered to the replica of the Ulugbek Observatory and the amusement park rides.
While it would be unfair to compare the Eternal City with Samarkand’s extraordinary historical monuments, like the Imam Al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, it offers something quite different. Think of it as a modern interpretation of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, combining architecture, traditional crafts, dining and entertainment in one attractive setting.
I would suggest allowing at least three hours to explore the streets, browse the workshops and enjoy something to eat. If you are visiting in the evening, you may find yourself staying considerably longer.
For anyone spending several days in Samarkand, the Eternal City is a worthwhile addition to the itinerary. It is a reminder that this remarkable Silk Road destination is not just about preserving its past. It is also finding new and interesting ways to celebrate its culture and traditions.
Find The Eternal City Samarkand on Google Maps. Make sure that your Yandex-Go taxi drops you off at the correct place, otherwise, like I did, you will have a long walk around the rowing canal before you can relax with an evening cocktail.
When I visited Samarkand, I stayed for six nights at Movenpick Samarkand, within walking distance of Registan Square and other Samarkand attractions.
Otherwise consider other accommodation options in Samarkand by using the search box below.
Consider reading other posts on Uzbekistan by Two Passports Packed.
(Visited in August 2026)