Tajikistan is located in Central Asia at the crossroads of many paths of the Silk Road. From the west and north Tajikistan borders Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, on the east it borders Kyrgyzstan and China, and on the south it shares a long border with Afghanistan. Besides, to the South Tajikistan is separated from Pakistan with the Wakhan Corridor, which is narrow strip of territory (15 km) used as a trade route by travellers going to and from East, South and Central Asia since antiquity.
Tajikistan is a mountainous country with unique climate and a lot of geographical peculiarities. 93% of its territory is occupied by mountain ranges belonging to the Gissar-Alay, Tien-Shan and Pamir mountain systems. The last one is worldwide known as the “roof of the world”.
Climbers from all continents strive to conquer the peak of Ismoil Somoni (7495 meters) – the high-altitude pole of the majestic Pamir Mountains. This is why this area is known as a “Mecca for mountain climbers” and attracts climbers and mountain hiking, trekking, skiing, snowboarding, caving, paragliding and other extreme tourism lovers from all over the world!
Besides, ancient glaciers of Tajikistan (including 70 km long Fedchenko glacier) attract nature lovers, eco tourists and even Scientifics. The glaciers of Pamir and Tian-Shan are the sources of fresh water. About 60% of Central Asian rivers spring from these glaciers.
Another pearl of the Pamirs is the Sarez Lake that was formed in 1911 as a result of landslide, caused by an earthquake, that obstructed the stream of the Murgob river. This lake contains 17 billion cubic meters of clean fresh water.
In Tajikistan there are 13 state natural reserves and the Tajik National Park where unique ecology, landscapes and natural monuments are preserved in their original state. Besides, rare endangered species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book, including the horned goat (morhur), the mountain argali (Marco Polo), the Bukhara mountain ram (ureal), the spotted Bukhara deer, the snow leopard, the Tien Shan brown bear, striped Hyena and Indian Mountain Goose are preserved in this unique ecosystem.
The flora of Tajikistan has more than 5000 species of higher plants, among which there are many endemics. The Pamir Botanical Garden, located at an altitude of 2320m above sea level near Khorog, is a man-made unique natural monument in the Pamirs. This garden, in sharp contrast to the barren slopes, is a real green miracle, in which more than 20 thousand plants from all continents are gathered. Among them are rare and unusual specimens of plants, such as Amur velvet, cork tree, black Austrian pine and a unique collection of roses with the purest tones and incomparable aroma.
The Tajik nation has a unique culture for this region. The region covering today’s Tajikistan was part of the Persian Empire during long time and an important place for flourishing Persian culture and language.
Besids, the territory that now constitutes Tajikistan was previously home to several ancient cultures, including the city of Sarazm of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, and was later home to kingdoms ruled by people of different faiths and cultures, including the Oxus civilisation, Andronovo culture, Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Islam.
The area has been ruled by numerous empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid Empire, Sasanian Empire, Hephthalite Empire, Samanid Empire, Mongol Empire, Timurid dynasty, the Russian Empire, and subsequently the Soviet Union until 1991.
If you love archeology, head to the Baldzhuvansky district, where Tajik archaeologists unearthed stone tools – the oldest found in Central Asia (850 thousand years old). There are also unique Neanderthal sites in the Dangara district near the Ogizkichik cave with a hearth, around which 15000 charred tortoises were found.
Visit one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, the city of Kulyab (Kulob), in 2006 IT celebrated its 2700th anniversary. In the surroundings of this city you will find Mount Khoja Mumin, a unique natural monument, which consists entirely of pure salt of different colors, pale yellow and gray, bluish green and pink. Salt reserves of this mountain can provide all of humanity for many hundreds of years. Another miracle of Khoja Mumin is its caves, which are famous for their musicality. Another unique monument of history and architecture is the mausoleum of the 4th century thinker and religious figure Mir Said Ali Hamadoni in the city of Kulyab, where many followers who worship his Sufi teaching make a religious pilgrimage.
Visit its rich and diverse markets with an abundance of vegetables and fruits, wander in the shady historical streets of old cities, sit in tea-houses covered with openwork ornament, drink fragrant green tea, talk to people, learn about their traditions, culture and life, get to know more about the good nature and wisdom of these people.