Surxondaryo Province brings together archaeological heritage and striking landscapes in southern Uzbekistan. It is the country’s southernmost region, with the Amu Darya forming its southern border. For an initial overview, the tourist map “Surkhan oasis-tourism triangle” links historical monuments, museums, pilgrimage sites, national cultural centres and natural landmarks along a three-point route through the region. Here, you can encounter different sides of the destination, from the history of ancient Termez to gorges and protected areas.
Landscapes and historic routes
Landscape and wildlife protection come together in the Surkhan State Nature Reserve. It was established in 1986 by merging the Kugitang and Aral-Paigambar reserves. The area is home to more than 130 bird species, over 25 mammal species and 27 reptile species. This diversity also makes the reserve interesting for visitors who want to explore Surxondaryo beyond its historical sites; however, it does not guarantee sightings of any particular species.
Kyzyl Canyon offers a different perspective: it is 30 kilometres long, and its highest point is Mount Buritakht, at 1,218 metres. Natural labyrinths stretch for several dozen kilometres there. Boybuloq Cave in the Cho‘lbayir Range also conveys the scale of the landscape: at approximately 1,415 metres deep, it is described as the deepest cave in Asia. These places can readily be contrasted with the region’s historic sites: geological formations define the former, while traces of human history define the latter.
The Iron Gate mountain pass is in Baysun District, within the village of Derbent. In the Middle Ages, merchant caravans and troops used it as a short link between Central Asia, Bactria and India. This historical role sets the pass apart from a present-day travel recommendation: it tells the story of a former trade and military route. Uzundara Fortress, dating from the 3rd to 4th century BC, is also near Derbent.
Archaeological sites and architectural history
Uzundara conveys the scale of an ancient fortification. The stone fortress had double rings of walls with 13 towers. Sections of the outer walls were up to one kilometre long, and the complex stood in the foothills of Baysun at an elevation of more than 1,700 metres. Details of its walls, towers and location paint a different picture from the region’s religious buildings.
The Buddhist temple complex of Fayaztepa in ancient Termez dates from the 1st century BC. It once comprised a temple, a monastery and a courtyard with utility rooms. A copy of the Fayaztepa Triad is on display at the Termez Archaeological Museum. Dalverzintepa is another important archaeological site: the ancient settlement lies in Shurchi District, 60 kilometres from Termez. Its ruins include a Buddhist temple founded at the beginning of the 1st century AD, described as the oldest Buddhist building in Uzbekistan.
The Sultan-Saodat complex has a longer architectural history. It was built between the 12th and 17th centuries at the burial sites of the Sayyids of Termez. Two mausoleums form its core; an iwan connects them and served as a memorial mosque. An iwan is a vaulted space open on one side. This helps explain how the complex is made up of individual architectural elements.
Teshik-Tosh is another archaeological landmark. The cave is associated with the southern slopes of Boysun and is now considered one of Uzbekistan’s unique archaeological reserves. Together with the sites near Termez, it offers a view of different places and eras, without requiring them to be combined into a single sightseeing route.
Museums, festivals and regional cuisine
The Surkhandarya Regional Museum of Local Lore displays more than 60,000 exhibits about the region’s history and heritage. Its library holds 14,000 works and was established when the museum was founded in 1934. The books cover historical works by scholars from Termez, as well as ethnography, fine arts, folk art and the region’s natural environment. Museum collections can therefore complement the impressions gained at archaeological sites and in the landscape when planning a trip.
The international folklore festival “Boysun Bahori” is also part of the province’s cultural life. It takes place annually in Boysun District. Travellers particularly interested in folklore and regional culture can factor this recurring event into their plans and check the relevant dates in advance. Termez has many cafés and restaurants where visitors can discover traditional Surxondaryo dishes. This adds a culinary dimension to the cultural experience of a stay.
Planning your stay
Termez International Airport is regarded as the gateway by air to the Surxondaryo region. When choosing accommodation, it can help to first establish your priorities: are you mainly interested in archaeological sites and museums, are landscapes and protected areas your focus, or are you drawn to a cultural event such as “Boysun Bahori”? The province brings all these themes together, while the places mentioned are spread across different parts of the region. Plan around the destinations that matter most to you, and check suitable connections and event dates as they stand at the time of travel.
Discover more destinations: Termez, Navoiy Province, Buxoro Province, Ferghana Province, Republic Of Karakalpakstan, Samarkand Province, Bukhara, Tashkent.
Return to the main travel overview: Uzbekistan.
