Yoshlik Park

A family amusement park near the railway station, mixing Soviet-era and modern rides, two small roller coasters and refreshingly low prices.

A childhood favourite

Yoshlik ("Youth") Park of Culture and Leisure lies in the north-west of the city on Beruniy Street, not far from the railway station. Generations of Samarkand children grew up on its rides: Soviet-era carousels still turn alongside modern attractions, and fast-food kiosks keep families fed. Wikivoyage rates its prices as very affordable for visitors.

Two small steel family roller coasters, Loviya Yulagi and Pirat, are in operation; a third, Drakon, has been retired. The nearest tram stop is named after the park — Yoshlik Bog'i.

In December 2021 the park was put out to tender as a public–private partnership, and the Ministry of Culture signed an agreement with the company KIT AUTO, which planned to invest 10 billion som in improvements. In spring 2022 more than a hundred small traders working in the park were told to vacate, sparking public debate. The company said the tender had been advertised publicly for 45 days without any other bidders, and suggested it might work with the existing traders once construction was finished.