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Buddhist Uzbekistan · Uzbekistan

Termez travel guide

Ancient stupas and monasteries on the banks of the Amu Darya.

Termez sits on the Amu Darya, the river border with Afghanistan, and is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan. Two thousand years ago it was a centre of Kushan Buddhism, and the remains of monasteries and stupas still stand in the surrounding desert.

Few visitors make it this far south, which is part of the appeal. It suits travellers with a deep interest in archaeology and the full story of the Silk Road.

Time needed
1–2 days
Best time
March–May and October–November; very hot in summer
Getting there
Domestic flights from Tashkent, or a long road day from Shakhrisabz or Samarkand.
TAJIKISTAN TermezDushanbeSamarkandBukharaThe PamirsWakhan ValleyFann MountainsSeven Lakes (Haft Kul)IskanderkulNurata & Lake AydarkulKhujand

Don’t miss

Sights in Termez

sightsAl-Hakim at-Termizi Mausoleum, Termez: the shrine on the Amu DaryaThe mausoleum of al-Hakim at-Termizi, the 9th-century Sufi scholar who is the patron saint of Termez, its carved tombstone, the riverside setting and pilgrim customs. sightsFayaz Tepa, Termez: a 2,000-year-old Buddhist monasteryFayaz Tepa near Termez, a Buddhist monastery of the Kushan era with a preserved stupa, courtyards and cells, the discoveries made there and how to visit. sightsKara Tepa, Termez: cave monastery on the Afghan borderKara Tepa near Termez, a Buddhist monastery of caves and courtyards on three hills by the Amu Darya, its history, finds and the special arrangements needed to visit. sightsKyrk Kyz, Termez: the fortress of the forty maidensKyrk Kyz near Termez, a square mud-brick building of the 9th–10th century with corner towers and vaulted rooms, the legend of the forty maidens, theories about its purpose and how to visit. sightsSultan Saodat ensemble, Termez: the tombs of the Termez sayyidsThe Sultan Saodat ensemble in Termez, a row of domed mausoleums of the Termez sayyids built from the 10th to the 17th century, its architecture, history and how to visit. sightsTermez Archaeological Museum: Bactrian, Kushan and Buddhist treasuresThe Termez Archaeological Museum, the best introduction to the ancient south of Uzbekistan, with finds from Bactrian cities, Kushan Buddhist monasteries and medieval Termez. sightsZurmala Stupa, Termez: the oldest standing building in Uzbekistan?The Zurmala stupa near Termez, a Kushan-era Buddhist tower of mud brick from the 1st–2nd century AD, often called one of the oldest standing structures in Uzbekistan, and how to visit.

Plan your visit

Termez guides

Don’t miss

What to see in Termez

  1. 01

    Fayaz Tepe

    A Buddhist monastery complex with a protected stupa.

  2. 02

    Kara Tepe

    Cave monasteries cut into a hillside above the river.

  3. 03

    Zurmala stupa

    The oldest standing structure in Uzbekistan, a tall mud-brick stupa.

  4. 04

    Al-Hakim at-Termizi

    Mausoleum of a revered 9th-century Sufi scholar.

  5. 05

    Archaeological museum

    Finds from the region’s Greek, Kushan and Islamic periods.

In this region

Places in Termez

UzbekistanBoysunMountain villages in Surkhandarya whose songs, rituals and crafts are recognised by UNESCO. One night

Nearby

Continue your journey

All of Uzbekistan
UzbekistanBoysunMountain villages in Surkhandarya whose songs, rituals and crafts are recognised by UNESCO. One night Dushanbe with the mountains of Tajikistan behind TajikistanDushanbeTree-lined avenues, grand monuments and the start of the Pamir road. 1–2 days Statue of Amir Timur before the ruins of the Ak-Saray palace, ShakhrisabzUNESCO UzbekistanShakhrisabzThe ruins of the Ak-Saray palace, over the mountains from Samarkand. Day trip from Samarkand UzbekistanKarshiThe capital of Kashkadarya, with a 16th-century brick bridge and mosques from the age of Abdullah Khan. Half a day

Tour to Uzbekistan · Koshona street 75/1, Khiva, Uzbekistan · WhatsApp +998 91 920 94 20 · tours.uzbekistan@gmail.com · tourtouzbekistan.com/destinations/uzbekistan/termez/

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