Located in Uzbekistan and on the famous ancient Silk Road trade route connecting China to the Mediterranean, the city of Samarkand has a rich history as one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. At the heart of this historic city lies the famous public square of Registan, an ensemble of monumental oriental architecture surrounded on three sides by grand educational institutions, commonly known as madrassah. Visitors can look forward to visiting the grand Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, featuring beautiful trademark mosaic and fluted azure domes; the beloved Shah-i-Zinda, an impressive avenue of mausoleums with stunning Timurid-era tilework; and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, one of the largest and most well-known mosques in the country.