The Pamir Highway
At the head of the Ak-Suu Valley, there are a collection of interesting beehive-shaped tombs at Konye Kurgan. Just 7km east of Murgab, they make an…
Must-see attractions in Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Facing the eastern knoll of the Khaakha Fortress, this snippet of a museum represents the private collection of the director, Odinmammad Mirzayev, who may…
Tajik State Pedagogical University
Dushanbe
Established in 1931, this is one of Tajikistan's top higher education institutions. For visitors, its pale blue, neoclassical facade makes a useful…
Tajikistan
This small museum at Ancient Penjikent chronicles the excavations at the site and displays some copies of the best frescoes (some of them 15m long)…
The Pamir Highway
A 1928 truck on a plinth just below the hydroelectric dam at the eastern end of Lenin, commemorates the opening of the Pamir Hwy to Osh after over 20…
Tajikistan
This small, brick-fronted museum has a modest natural history collection and some ancient artefacts from Silk Road days. Most of the exhibits relate to…
Tajikistan
This purpose-built bazaar, just along from the roundabout with the giant apricot, makes a good landmark as shared taxis pull up outside. It also offers an…
Dushanbe
Opened in 2011 and constructed to resemble an open book, this US$40 million archive is reputed to be Central Asia's biggest library. It makes an…
Tajikistan
Half-hidden behind Soviet apartment blocks at Lenin 100-102, the modern Hazrat-i-Shah Mosque is tucked behind a poets' garden full of scented roses…
Tajikistan
In the centre of Vershab, a wide footpath descending past the main shop leads to a mausoleum that looks recently built. Locals claim that it's the shrine…
Tajikistan
Protected by a silver-domed, Plexiglass casing, Ayni's most treasured landmark is an eroded 10th-century mudbrick minaret. The mosque beside the Varz-i…
Tajikistan
Opening up behind a fanciful traditional archway at the corner of the bend in Rudaki, this bazaar is a perfect place to buy fruit (cherries, mulberries,…
The Pamir Highway
The minimal ruins of this old 'red fort' has lent its name to the valley's main town. The town has a small bazaar and a fine location at the base of a…
Tajikistan
The ruined Afghan citadel of Qala-e Panja, once the largest settlement in the Wakhan, is visible across the Pyanj River from near Zugband, some 10km west…
Tajikistan
In the northwest corner of town is the one-room Mazar-i-Chor Gumbaz whose four tin cupolas conceal some of Tajikistan’s most impressive old painted…
Tajikistan
Standing at the intersection of Lenin and the street that bears his name, the statue of Komil Khojandi commemorates the city's namesake.
Tajikistan
This modernist-style monument of giant marble stelae, below which burns the eternal flame, commemorates the heroes of WWII.
The Pamir Highway
These springs lie alongside the Pamir Hwy in Jelondy. A Soviet-era hotel offers basic accommodation and a spa of sorts.
Tajikistan
A ruined 2300-year-old Graeco-Bactrian temple close to the point where Alexander crossed the Oxus in 329 BC.
Dushanbe
This monument commemorates the veterans who participated in the victory over Nazi Germany in June 1945.
Tajikistan
A large and impressive version of Lenin presides over Rudaki near the centre of town.
Tajikistan
Close to Yamchun, on an obvious salt-bleached patch of mountainside directly behind the hamlet of Vrang (Вранг), is a five-level stone monument claimed to…
Dushanbe
Though it was not functioning at the time of writing, this big wheel nevertheless makes a useful landmark – not to be confused with the smaller working…
The Pamir Highway
This 8th-century Shashbuvad Fort is easily missed as it resembles an unfinished local house but it makes a necessary leg-stretch on this long and rough…
Tajikistan
A rather stolid horseback version of the nation's favourite statue sits alongside Rudaki, in front of the TCell building.
Tajikistan
A statue of Devastich, the area's last Sogdian leader, dominates the roundabout at the western end of town.
