TASHKENT, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- With a history of over 2,500 years, Samarkand is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia.
It was once a hub on the ancient Silk Road, where civilizations converged.
Samarkand is also one of the world's most renowned cultural centers. In 2001, UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List, for its many cultural relics and historical sites such as the Registan Square and the Ulugh Beg Observatory.
Today, Samarkand is a modern city with a population of 560,000.
It is one of the country's transportation hubs, as well as a cultural center. It's also home to many universities and scientific research institutions.
As the SCO Summit is just around the corner, the city of Samarkand is getting ready.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
