Ulugh Beg Observatory Ulug‘bek rasadxonasi
Samarkand, Uzbekistan UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ulugh Beg Observatory is an astronomical observatory located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Built in the 1420s, it features Timurid architecture and is part of the Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most looked-up sights in Uzbekistan, ranking 7th on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
The warmest months to visit are June, July, and August, when daily highs reach between 30 °C and 32 °C and rainfall is at its lowest level. July is the hottest month with a high of 32 °C. For travelers seeking more moderate temperatures, May is an option with highs of 24 °C, as is September with highs of around 27 °C.
The observatory is 4 km from Samarkand International Airport and 265 km from Tashkent. It is located near several other sites, such as Afrasiyab (1.6 km), Shah-i-Zinda (2 km), and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque (2.7 km). The Registan and Gur-e-Amir are also nearby at 3.4 km and 4.3 km. The site is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00, and the price for an adult visitor is 75,000 som.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is March, with about 66 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 6 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| Average low, °C | -5 | -3 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 2 | -3 |
| Rainfall, mm | 41 | 48 | 66 | 57 | 33 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 34 | 48 |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
