The 10 backpackers: Chan Hew Ley, Chew Leng
Soon, Chia Kok Bin, Ching Neng Bin, Clara Leong Sook Wah, Joanne Tan
Pheck San, Law Chew Siah, Nancy Ho Siew Cheng, Ng Yoke Ping, Ronnie Chin
Keng Kok.
Day 13 (30 May 2026) Tashkent to Samarkand by Train
Our 13th day took us from the modern capital of Tashkent to the legendary Silk Road city of Samarkand by train @ 8:55 am, a comfortable journey of approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes.
After another enjoyable breakfast at the Welcome Inn Hotel, we waited outside for our taxi to the railway station. While waiting, we had the pleasure of meeting an English cyclist who was undertaking an incredible solo journey from Singapore back to the United Kingdom by bicycle via Central Asia. We admired his adventurous spirit and spent a few minutes chatting before wishing him a safe journey.
We arrived at Tashkent Railway Station in good time for our train, which departed punctually at 8:55 a.m. The modern train provided a smooth and comfortable ride across the Uzbek countryside, offering glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges.
During the journey, we met fellow travellers from India and Hong Kong, exchanging travel experiences and recommendations. The friendly conversations made the trip pass quickly as we travelled deeper into the heart of Uzbekistan.
The train made two scheduled stops along the route. The first was at Guliston Station, followed by a second stop at Jizzakh Station, before continuing towards the ancient city of Samarkand.
At 12:20 p.m., we arrived at Samarkand Railway Station. Before leaving the station, we planned to purchase our return tickets to Tashkent. Unfortunately, the ticket office had closed for its lunch break, and we had to wait until 2:00 p.m. before ticket sales resumed. Although the unexpected delay interrupted our schedule, it provided an opportunity to observe the daily rhythm of life at one of Uzbekistan's busiest railway stations.
Once we had successfully purchased our return tickets, we took a taxi to Hotel Maroqand, our home for the next stage of our Silk Road adventure.
In the evening, we went out for dinner at Café Punjab, an Indian restaurant where we enjoyed a welcome change of cuisine after many days of Central Asian dishes. The familiar flavours made for a satisfying and enjoyable meal.
Returning to the hotel, we continued one of our favourite travel traditions. After buying a few cans of local beer, we gathered together for another happy hour, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on the day's journey. It was the perfect way to end another memorable day as we prepared to explore one of the greatest cities of the ancient Silk Road.
13th night accommodation: Hotel Marokand, 141.Chorraha Street, Samarkand +998 99 703 82 02
Enjoyable breakfast at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent.
Enjoyable breakfast at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent.
Enjoyable breakfast at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent.
Enjoyable breakfast at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent. An assortment of bowls filled with various breakfast ingredients, including cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and milk.
A neatly arranged charcuterie and cheese platter featuring sliced cheeses, assorted meats, and pastries at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent. The selection includes varieties such as cheddar and smoked sausages, offering a colorful and appetizing spread.
A neatly arranged table of fresh produce, including oranges, apples, pears, and leafy greens, each portioned and wrapped in plastic at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent. The vibrant display suggests a healthy meal setting.
We had the pleasure of meeting an English cyclist who was undertaking an incredible solo journey from Singapore back to the United Kingdom by bicycle via Central Asia. We admired his adventurous spirit and spent a few minutes chatting before wishing him a safe journey at the Welcome Inn Hotel, Tashkent.
Chia Kok Bin had the pleasure of meeting an English cyclist who was undertaking an incredible solo journey from Singapore back to the United Kingdom by bicycle via Central Asia. 
We arrived at Tashkent Railway Station in good time for our train, which departed punctually at 8:55 a.m. The modern train provided a smooth and comfortable ride across the Uzbek countryside, offering glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges.
We were walking with our bags through Tashkent's modern subway station, which had a Russian-language sign advertising a luggage drop-off.
A passenger train in Uzbekistan, with a conductor standing beside the locomotive while a traveler with a large backpack walks along the platform.
We were standing beside an Uzbekistan Railways passenger train, each carrying luggage and travel gear.
The scene suggests that we are preparing for a long journey from Tashkent to Samarkand by Train.
Our train ticket from Tashkent to Samarkand.
Gulistan Railway Station.
The train made two scheduled stops along the route. The first was at Guliston Station, followed by a second stop at Jizzakh Station, before continuing towards the ancient city of Samarkand. 
During the journey, we met fellow travellers from India, China, and Hong Kong, exchanging travel experiences and recommendations. The friendly conversations made the trip pass quickly as we travelled deeper into the heart of Uzbekistan.
During the journey, we met fellow travellers from China and Hong Kong, exchanging travel experiences and recommendations.
Chew Leng Soon with an Indian friend on the train.
The train provided a smooth and comfortable ride across the Uzbek countryside, offering glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges.
2nd stop was at Jizzakh Station, before continuing towards the ancient city of Samarkand. 
Vokzal railway station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with its distinctive clock, arched windows, and blue neon signage above the entrance. The station serves as a major transport hub in the capital, connecting Uzbekistan to neighboring countries and international routes.
The narrow corridor of the train, with glass doors and metal handrails lining the sides. 
The train provided glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges. 
A young boy stands on the edge of a train window, gazing out at the passing scenery of open fields.
The train provided glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges. 
A gigantic rock formation rises significantly over the surrounding countryside beside the train track.
The train provided glimpses of rural villages, open farmland, and distant mountain ranges. 
At 12:20 p.m., we arrived at Samarkand Railway Station.
At 12:20 p.m., we arrived at Samarkand Railway Station.
At a train station platform, with several long freight cars of the Gazprom pipeline train.
At 12:20 p.m., we arrived at Samarkand Railway Station.
At a train station platform, with several long freight cars of the Gazprom pipeline train.
At 12:20 p.m., we arrived at Samarkand Railway Station.
A passenger train at Samarkand Railway Station, featuring a white body with blue and green stripes.
We arrived at Samarkand Railway Station.
The slogan "Welcome to Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Road" alongside images of traditional Uzbek architecture at Samarkand Railway Station.
A brightly lit Wake Cup Coffee kiosk, with neon signage above shelves stocked with snacks, beverages, and pastries at Samarkand Railway Station. The display features a variety of food items and drinks, creating a colorful and inviting atmosphere for customers.
Before leaving the station, we planned to purchase our return tickets to Tashkent. Unfortunately, the ticket office had closed for its lunch break, and we had to wait until 2:00 p.m. before ticket sales resumed. Although the unexpected delay interrupted our schedule, it provided an opportunity to observe the daily rhythm of life at one of Uzbekistan's busiest railway stations.
A colorful stained-glass window depicting an angel holding a sun, surrounded by intricate patterns and vibrant hues at Samarkand Railway Station.
A vibrant stained-glass window featuring a central figure in red robes surrounded by intricate floral.
An assortment of pastries displayed in a bakery case at Samarkand Railway Station.
An assortment of pastries displayed in a bakery case at Samarkand Railway Station.
An assortment of pastries displayed in a bakery case at Samarkand Railway Station.
We took a taxi to Hotel Maroqand, our home for the next stage of our Silk Road adventure.
13th night accommodation: Hotel Marokand, 141.Chorraha Street, Samarkand +998 99 703 82 02
Hotel Marokand, our home for the next stage of our Silk Road adventure.
The courtyard of the Hotel Marokand in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, featuring traditional wooden balconies, a patterned tile floor, and a staircase leading to an upper level.
A cozy courtyard with a wooden bed adorned with patterned red and pink cushions, set against a white brick wall. A blue and white tapestry hangs above the bed, adding a decorative touch to the room’s warm, traditional decor.
The courtyard of the Samarkand Hotel is surrounded by patterned tile flooring and wooden balconies.
The courtyard of the Samarkand Hotel is surrounded by patterned tile flooring and wooden balconies.
A room with two single beds, alongside a small desk and wall-mounted television.
A Suzani textile from Uzbekistan, featuring a vibrant circular floral pattern in shades of pink, blue, and gold framed by intricate black borders. Suzanis are traditional embroidered textiles from Central Asia, often used as decorative pieces in homes and ceremonial settings.
A Suzani textile from Uzbekistan at Samarkand Hotel.
The Samarkand Hotel's wall features a vibrant Suzani textile.
The Samarkand Hotel's wall features an Uzbek Suzani textile.
In the evening, we went out for dinner at Café Punjab, an Indian restaurant where we enjoyed a welcome change of cuisine after many days of Central Asian dishes. The familiar flavours made for a satisfying and enjoyable meal.
Returning to the hotel, we continued one of our favourite travel traditions. After buying a few cans of local beer, we gathered together for another happy hour, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on the day's journey. It was the perfect way to end another memorable day as we prepared to explore one of the greatest cities of the ancient Silk Road.
This Sarbast beer will be our beverage for the remainder of our Central Asian adventure.
2026 Central Asia (Silk Road 2) Adventure
Kyrgyzstan • Uzbekistan • Tajikistan (18 May – 6 June 2026)
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