Historical sights in Termez and its surroundings are connected with four religious traditions: Zoroastrianism, Nestorianism, Buddhism and Islam. At the same time, picturesque landscapes and proximity to the Amu Darya create a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere.
Ancient Sites and Their Locations
Qoratepa lies on the northwestern edge of ancient Termez. The Buddhist temple complex includes above-ground structures and buildings set into caves. In its northern part is an above-ground temple with a large stupa. The remains visible today may vary; check access locally.
The monumental Buddhist structure of Zurmala lies northeast of the fortress walls of Kushan Termez. The stupa dates from the 1st or 2nd century AD and is considered the largest of the known stupas in Central Asia. It had a diameter of 14.5 meters and once reached a total height of 16 meters. For Qoratepa and Zurmala, check access locally.
Fayaztepa lies within the territory of the ancient city of Termez, between the Amu Darya and an old caravan route, outside the modern city center. The complex included a temple, a monastery and a courtyard with utility rooms. Its described features include a small stupa with a round dome and a cross-shaped ground plan, where ritual ablutions were performed.
Kampyrtepa, an ancient ruined city of Bactria, lies on the right bank of the Amu Darya, 30 kilometers from Termez. The site includes a lower town, a deep moat and a citadel. A strong fortress wall with rectangular towers protected the lower town. The remains of a Buddhist temple can also be seen on the site.
Museum and Historic Buildings
The Termez Archaeological Museum displays more than 40,000 archaeological artifacts and historical objects in ten halls. Its subjects range from the Kushan Empire and Hellenistic culture to ancient Bactria and the Stone and Bronze Ages. The museum therefore provides a broad historical context for the sites and periods that have shaped Termez and its surroundings.
The Hakim at-Termizi complex combines a domed mausoleum and memorial mosque with the ancient cave complex of Chillahona, dating from the 5th to 10th centuries AD, the ruins of the ancient city of Tarmita, old Termez, and a museum of Termez and its surroundings. On the outskirts of the city, the Sultan-Saodat ensemble includes tombs associated with the Termez Sayyids.
A temple in honor of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky was built in Termez in 1901. Its features include a bell tower and an iconostasis; icons and church objects are found inside. Such buildings add further religious and architectural context to the archaeological sites.
Crafts and Regional Cuisine
The Termez Ethno Village was created as a cultural venue with modern infrastructure, showcasing the history, handicrafts and traditional art of Surxondaryo. A report by the government of Uzbekistan dated February 26, 2026, lists opportunities for visitors to buy handicrafts and watch artisans at work. As facilities may change, it is best to check what is available before your visit.
The cuisine also offers a regional focus: cafés and restaurants in Termez serve traditional dishes from Surxondaryo, including shurpa, kazan kebab and a dish locally called “kuy gosht.” This makes it possible to combine visits to cultural sites with a taste of regional food culture, without requiring a particular order of activities.
Context in Surxondaryo Province
For those wishing to explore beyond Termez, Surxondaryo Province offers a regional itinerary of its own: the “Surkhan oasis-tourism triangle” tourist map links historical monuments, museums, pilgrimage sites, national cultural centers and natural monuments along a three-point route. This route describes the broader destination of Surxondaryo Province, not a single sight in Termez.
For an overview of the wider trip: Surxondaryo Province.
