In a country dominated by cultural attractions, Sukhandarya, Uzbekistan’s hidden gem comes as a surprising and beautiful needed natural escape. Indeed, this region is home to canyons, mountains and small villages. Nevertheless, you will need to reach the border with Afghanistan in order to experience it best. This article will help you organize a visit to this region.
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How to reach Sukhandarya, Uzbekistan’s hidden gem?
Sukhandrya is located in the South Eastern part of Uzbekistan. Although it represents a tiny part of Uzbekistan, its landscapes are unique and very different from the rest of the country. Thus, there are 2 main interests in there, either visit natural sites or historical ones.
Natural sites are mostly located around Boysun while historical ones are located in Termez in the border with Afghanistan.
Both cities are located at around 700km away from the capital Tashkent and are best reached from Samarkand (350km). Therefore, the easiest way to reach is by taking a 5-hour taxi ride to Boysun from Samarkand. To reach Termez, it will take you another 2 hours.
In addition there is also a sleeper train from Tashkent that last 12 hours and costs 166,000 UZS (15 USD) for a sleeping cabin.
Where to stay in Sukhandarya, Uzbekistan’s hidden gem?
As a matter of fact, I found a hotel in Boysun called Gaza which was fairly new and clean. Besides, it had great restaurant that were cooking tasty shashliks (Uzbek skewed meat).
When it comes to Termez, I was lucky enough to find a real gem : Comfortable Home Stay. Well, the name says it all. Indeed, you really feel at home, the rooms are clean and spacious.
Besides, the property has a patio and an garden where they collect fruits and vegetables from.
However, what really makes it a hidden gem are the hosts. Indeed, I have rarely seen such a treatment in all my trips. Thus, they served me this amazing breakfast with fruits directly picked from the garden.
In a word, I would really ecommend this Comfortable Home Stay eyes closed.
Natural wonders of Sukhandarya, Uzbekistan’s hidden gem
Unfortunately, the weather was not optimal during my visit in Sukhandrya. Indeed, the rain prevented me from reaching some of the caves, waterfalls and massive canyons that I had come all the way to visit. In fact, if you visit in may, you can also have the chance to see some local folklore at the Bahori Boysun Festival where they will perform traditional dances, arts crafts and sports.
Nevertheless, I was still able to see some of the main highlights such as the Grand Canyon of Uzbekistan.
In order to reach those sites, you have to go through small interesting villages.
Another site that you should not miss is the holy place of Khoja Mai Khona. Indeed, a holy saint is buried there and local women believe that drinking from the water source can cure infertility.
Thus, the road leading to the site is beautiful as it passed through reddish mountain gorges.
Historical sites of Sukhandarya, Uzbekistan’s hidden gem
Buddhist Monasteries
Termez is home to most of the unique historical sites of Sukhandrya. In fact, the main difference with the rest of Uzbekistan lies in the fact that the sites are here Buddhists. Indeed, before the islamic times, the whole region was a center of Buddhism and many monasteries can still be seen in there. Thus, the 2 most famous ones are the sites of Fayoztepa and Karatepa.
In order, to reach those sites, you will need to get very close to the Afghan border. In fact, we were so close to the border that we could see hundreds of bullet shells on the ground from the recent conflict with the Talibans.
Amir Al-Termizi Mausoleum
This mausoleum celebrates the memory of one of Termiz great characters. Thus, the complex is quite large and has several tombs and parks where local crowds come to pray for the should of their saints and their loved ones.
The sight of a foreigner in such a remote place was so rare that even the local policeman decided to take a picture with me.
Old Universities Ruins
Then, you can visit some ruins around the city. The most notable ones, are the ones of the old girls university that once stood for the whole Central Asian region, centuries ago. Today, the site is mostly abandoned.
Dill Farms of Sukhandarya: Uzbekistan’s hidden gem
Around Termez you can also see lots of dill farms. Dill in a herb omnipresent in the food of Central Asia. Indeed, I had noticed it the first time when I traveled to Kirghizistan a few years prior. Therefore, it was very interesting to me to see how they grow it, wash it and then pack it to be sold to markets or mostly exported to Moscow in Russia.
The Museum of Archeology
This museum hold many artifacts from the many historic sites that surround Termez. Indeed, lots of the content you will see in here were directly collected locally. I found it quite interesting but I could not help from thinking that it would have been amazing to be able to see those artifacts directly in the historical sites where they were found.
I remember experiencing the same when visiting Luxor in Egypt only to realize that most of the artifacts that were described were stores hundreds of kms away in the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.
More Mausoleums in Sukhandarya: Uzbekistan’s hidden gem
The city of Termez itself is very clean, has many parks and soviet style architecture.
The city as more mausoleums and complexes to offer such as the Sultan Saodat Ensemble for instance.
“Sultan Saodat,” an Arabic term meaning the “dominion of seids,” signifies the resting place of descendants of Prophet Muhammad. Thus this historical burial site lies near Termez, situated along the banks of the Surkhan Darya river.
The complex comprises a mausoleum, a mosque, and an arched vestibule known as an aivan. Thus, the mausoleum and mosque feature elegantly simple brick exteriors. Furthermore, inside the mosque, one can discover inscribed Quranic verses.
Over time, Sultan Saodat has undergone multiple renovations, especially during the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 14th century, two extra structures, darvaza-hana and hanaka, were built. Sadly, the hanaka, once used as a kitchen, was demolished in 1978.
In its prime, Sultan Saodat attracted active Muslim pilgrims who participated in rituals like communal cooking, animal sacrifices, Quran recitations, and candle lighting from Thursday to Friday. However, due to changing borders and reduced accessibility, pilgrimage activity has slowly declined in recent years.
After visiting the beautiful region of Sukhandarya you could:
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