Things to Do in New City Center (Prospekt Islom Karimov)

For many visitors, the first glimpse of Samarkand's New City Center along Prospekt Islom Karimov is a quiet shock. You leave the turquoise-domed, dust-hued world of the old town and find yourself on a broad, tree-lined avenue where the air smells of fresh bread from modern bakeries and the sound is the steady hum of cars, not the echoing calls from mosque courtyards. This part of Samarkand, developed largely in the Soviet era and growing since, gives you a sense of where the city is headed. You'll see families strolling past fountains lit by warm evening lights, students clutching books outside austere concrete university buildings softened by vines, and the occasional gleaming facade of a new bank or government office. It's a living, breathing counterpoint to the ancient sites, a place where you can feel the cool marble of a modern museum floor underfoot and taste the strong, sweet black tea served in glass *pialas* in cafes filled with the low murmur of Uzbek and Russian conversation.

Prospekt Islom Karimov itself is a straight, walkable spine. For longer distances along it or to connect to the Old City, shared taxis (private cars acting as route taxis) are the way to go. Just stand on the curb and flag down a passing car. State your destination (e.g., 'Registan') and if they're going that way, they'll nod. The fare is a fixed, very low rate per person for the shared ride. Buses also run the length of the prospekt. But routes can be confusing for newcomers. Walking or using the shared taxis gives you more flexibility. Note that traffic on the prospekt can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours.