Popular Destinations in Tajikistan
Dushanbe
Located on the Varzob River, Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan. The
modern city is lined with towering skyscrapers, grand boulevards, and
Soviet-era buildings. Located on the edge of Komsomol Lake, the majestic
Navruz Palace is a major highlight in Dushanbe. The Palace is adorned with
elaborate paintings and mosaics depicting scenes from ancient legends.
Visitors here will find several museums, cultural institutions, parks, and
performing art venues such as National Museum of Antiquities, Ayni Opera,
and Ballet Theatre, Capital Park, Gurminj Museum of Musical Instruments,
Dushanbe Botanical Garden, and Rudaki Park. Especially noteworthy is the
Tajikistan National Museum, which displays artefacts and archaeological
finds from Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a site which dates to the
4th millennium BC.
Khujand
Second-largest city of Tajikistan, Khujand is the capital of Sughd, the
northernmost province of the country. Formerly known as Leninabad, the city
is located along the banks of Syr Darya, at the mouth of the Fergana Valley
and is near to both the Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan borders. With more than
2,500 years of history, Khujand is among the oldest cities in Central Asia.
Khujand used to be a major city along the legendary Silk Road and was
inhabited almost completely by ethnic Tajiks. Today, Khujand is a buzy city
with one of the largest covered markets in Asia, the Panjshanbe Market.
Here visitors will find an array of vendors selling everything from spices,
textiles, and handicrafts to other wares. Khujand is home to several
landmarks such as the Khujand Fortress, Historical Museum of Sughd (1200
exhibitions on display), Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum, Fontan Kamoli
Khuchandi, Bofanda Mosque, and Somoni Park.
Zeravshan Valley
Among Tajikistan’s main touristic destinations, Zeravshan Valley is nestled
among the Western Pamir-Altai Mountain Ranges. Zeravshan (meaning: Golden
River) refers to the main river which passes the valley and provides water
to the inhabitants of the remote area. The Valley is famed for its gorgeous
lakes (including Iskanderkul, Alouddin, and Kulikalon Lakes), and
breathtaking landscapes. The region is a haven for nature lovers and
visitors can indulge in hiking as well as horseback riding here.