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Heritage & monuments

Afrasiab painting

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Afrasiab painting

Overview

Discovered in 1965, these 7th-century Sogdian palace murals depict diplomatic receptions, royal processions, and court life. The western wall is notable for portraying foreign delegates, including figures identified as envoys from the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, documenting early trans-Eurasian diplomatic ties along the Silk Road.

Getting There

The site is in northern Samarkand. From the city centre near the Registan, a taxi takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Local minibuses also travel along the northern road toward the site.

Time to Allow

Plan for 45 to 60 minutes. This provides sufficient time to view the reconstructed mural room and read the accompanying historical exhibits.

When to Visit

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer comfortable temperatures. In summer, visit in the morning to avoid midday heat. Organized tour groups visit periodically, but the hall is rarely crowded.

Nearby Attractions

The paintings are housed inside the Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand (0 km). You can combine your visit with nearby sites:

  • Afrasiyab (0.5 km): Ancient settlement hill behind the museum.
  • Hazrat-Hyzr Mosque (1.1 km): Historic hillside mosque.
  • Statue of Ulugh Beg (Samarkand) (1.2 km): Monument near the historic center.

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

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Stays near Afrasiab painting

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Samarkand 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Samarkand grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Samarkand 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Samarkand grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand

Museums & galleries

Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand

A museum located at the Afrasiab archaeological site in northeastern Samarkand. Its artifacts from the ancient city, destroyed by the Mongols, reveal the region's long history.

0.0 km away
Afrasiyab

Heritage & monuments

Afrasiyab

An ancient archaeological site north of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, situated on a hill near the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The Afrasiyab murals uncovered during excavation can be viewed at a nearby museum.

0.5 km away
Hazrat-Hyzr Mosque

Temples & religious sites

Hazrat-Hyzr Mosque

This historic mosque sits on a hill in Samarkand, facing the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis. It was built on the site of an earlier mosque, and the grounds also hold the tomb of Uzbekistan's first president.

1.1 km away
Statue of Ulugh Beg (Samarkand)

Heritage & monuments

Statue of Ulugh Beg (Samarkand)

A statue honoring Ulugh Beg, the Timurid astronomer and ruler most associated with Samarkand. A good spot to reflect on his achievements while exploring the city.

1.2 km away
Ulugbek observatory museum

Museums & galleries

Ulugbek observatory museum

This is the site of an observatory built in the 15th century by Ulugh Beg, ruler of the Timurid dynasty, where remains of the huge sextant once used there can still be seen. The adjacent museum displays astronomical records and artifacts that reveal the sophistication of Central Asian astronomy.

1.2 km away
Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Temples & religious sites

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

This mosque in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is named after the wife of Amir Timur, founder of the 14th-century Timurid Empire. It stands as an iconic example of Timurid-era architecture.

1.5 km away