Surxondaryo Province: Nature and Ancient Cultural Landscapes
Accommodation in Surxondaryo Province
Surxondaryo Province combines a striking natural setting with traces of different eras. As Uzbekistan’s southernmost region, it is bordered by the Amu Darya to the south. You can tailor your trip here to a wide range of interests: from Kyzyl Canyon and Surkhan State Nature Reserve to Buddhist sites, museums and the history of Termez. Termez International Airport is considered the region’s gateway by air.
Sangardak-Wasserfall im Nationalen Naturpark Yuqori To'palang, Surxondaryo
Photo: Ennikkity via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature between canyon and reserve
Kyzyl Canyon is 30 km long, and its highest point is Mount Buritakht, at 1,218 m. In the canyon, naturally formed labyrinths extend for several dozen kilometres. Those interested in landforms will find concrete dimensions here that make the canyon a distinct focus for trip planning.
Surkhan State Nature Reserve was established in 1986 by merging the Kugitang and Aral-Paigambar reserves. Surkhan Nature Reserve is home to more than 130 bird species, more than 25 mammal species and 27 reptile species. This diversity gives nature enthusiasts a different way to experience the province than its archaeological sites and museums. At around 1,415 m deep, Boybuloq Cave in the Cho‘lbayir Mountains is considered the deepest cave in Asia.
Archaeological sites and regional history
Several sites offer a glimpse into the region’s long history. The Buddhist temple complex of Fayaztepa in ancient Termez dates to the 1st century BC. The complex once included a temple, a monastery and a courtyard with utility rooms. A replica of the Fayaztepa Triad can be seen at the Termez Archaeological Museum. The Sultan-Saodat complex was built over five centuries, from the 12th to the 17th century, at the burial sites of the Sayyids of Termez. It is centred on two mausoleums joined by an iwan that served as a memorial mosque.
Important archaeological destinations can also be found outside Termez. Dalverzintepa, an ancient settlement in Shurchi District, contains the ruins of a Buddhist temple founded in the early 1st century AD and considered the oldest Buddhist structure in Uzbekistan. The settlement is 60 km from Termez. Teshik-Tosh is associated with the southern slopes of Boysun and is now considered one of Uzbekistan’s unique archaeological protected areas.
The stone fortress of Uzundara dates to the 3rd–4th centuries BC and lies near Derbent. It stood in the foothills of Baysun at an altitude of more than 1,700 m. Double defensive walls with 13 towers defined the complex; sections of the outer walls were up to 1 km long. The Iron Gate mountain pass is also in Baysun District, within the village of Derbent. In the Middle Ages, it was used by numerous trading caravans and troops; the pass provided a short route between Central Asia, Bactria and India.
Museum, traditions and planning your trip
The Surkhandarya Regional Museum of Local Lore was founded in 1934 and presents more than 60,000 exhibits on regional history and heritage. Its library holds 14,000 works covering historical research by scholars from Termez, ethnography, fine arts, folk art and the region’s natural environment. If you enjoy pairing cultural interests with regional cuisine, Termez has many cafés and restaurants showcasing traditional Surxondaryo dishes.
The international folklore festival “Boysun Bahori” is held annually in Boysun District. Its programme was set to include competitions in kurash, equestrian sports and Ko'pkari, as well as exhibitions of traditional crafts. The Iron Gate pass, Uzundara Fortress and the festival offer different starting points for a trip focused either more on history or on regional traditions.
When choosing a holiday rental, it is worth first deciding on your priorities. If museums, cafés and Termez’s cultural history are the main focus, you could consider Termiz as your search location. If you are more interested in nature or archaeological destinations outside Termez, you should also take these regional sites into account. This way, you can shape your accommodation search around the experiences you want to define your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Uzbekistan.
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