Termez

Good to know

1. 1Termez has been settled for around two thousand years and was an important crossing point on the Amu Darya along the Silk Road routes.
2. 2In the early centuries AD the area was a Buddhist centre. The remains of Fayaz Tepa and the Kara Tepa cave monastery, both just outside the modern city, come from that time.
3. 3The old city was destroyed by Genghis Khan's armies in the thirteenth century, and the modern town grew up a short distance from the ruins.
4. 4The Sultan Saodat complex, a group of mausoleums built over several centuries, is the best known Islamic site in town and was a burial place for a family of local sayyids.
5. 5The Termez Archaeological Museum holds finds from Buddhist sites in the region, including sculpture and fragments of painted walls.
6. 6People here speak Uzbek, and Russian is still widely understood, especially among older residents. The river and the nearby Friendship Bridge to Afghanistan are part of everyday geography.

Tips for a first visit

• Plan your sightseeing for the morning and late afternoon, and rest indoors in the middle of the day, because summers here are among the hottest in the country.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water when you visit the ruins, as there is little shade at the archaeological sites.
• Taxis are the easiest way to reach sites outside the centre such as Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa. Agree on the plan with the driver before you set off.
• Carry some cash in local currency, since smaller shops, markets and taxis often do not take cards.
• Try plov, fresh flatbread from a tandoor, and the melons and watermelons the region is known for in summer.
• Dress modestly when visiting mosques and mausoleums, and take your shoes off where others do. Ask before photographing people, and be careful about photographing anything near the border, bridges or military areas.

When to go

Spring, from about April to May, and autumn, from about late September to October, are the most comfortable times, with warm days and mild evenings. Summer is very hot and dry, and it is hard to be outdoors at midday. Winters are short and cool, and can be damp and grey, though sightseeing is still possible.

From the airport

Termez has its own airport, a short drive from the centre, and a taxi is the simplest way to reach the town, usually taking around fifteen to twenty minutes. The city is also reached by train and by road from other parts of Uzbekistan. Once in town, the main sights in the centre can be reached on foot or by short taxi rides.