Qurghonteppa Bazaar

Qurghonteppa, officially known as Bokhtar, is in the Khatlon division of Tajikistan.

Understand

Qurghonteppa is the capital of the Khatlon region. The city has a population of about 110,000 and is home to a mixture of Russian, Uzbekh, and indigenous ethnic Tajiks, among others, a matter which has been a point of contention at times, both within and with the national government at large, partly on account of forced integration of the different groups under agricultural collectivism policies and also due to contrasting religious and political views. This area saw a lot of action during the civil war in 1992.

Get in

Bokhtar International Airport handles flights from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Dushanbe. Beyond that, driving or riding in a marshrutka or bus are probably the best options.

See

Tapchans in Qurghonteppa

• 1 Gorodskoy Muzey (Городской Музей (Тепа)) (this is pretty much the center of town). This looks like a stupa or minaret set on a hill, but it's supposed to be the Museum of Historical and Regional Studies. The outside appearance might be the best part though. Across the street is a very tall flagpole with Tajik flag. If you walk northeast of here on Prospekt Borbad a few blocks, you should also find the museum of natural history, across the street from a Rumi statue. May need to know Russian or Tajik to get much out of it. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Buddhistic cloister of Ajina-Tepa. Buddhist ruins where once existed a sleeping Buddha before it was excavated and placed in a Dushanbe museum. (updated Aug 2020)

Nearby

• 3 Sacred Spring Chiluchor Chashma (Источник "Чилучор чашма") (about 11 km on road leading northwest out of Shahrttuz, which itself is 113 km south of Qurghonteppa). 06:00-18:00. This famous place throughout Tajikistan means "Forty Four" springs due to the number of supposed progenitors to the large pool coming out of the hillside. Here people come for pilgrimage to make ablutions and bathe. Also atop the adjacent hill is said to be a mazar or grave where the horsekeeper of a caliph named Ali is buried. (updated Aug 2020)

Sleep

Hills in Sarband, ~15 kms east of the city

• 1 Otel' Bokhtariyon (Отель Бохтариён) (about 5-6 km northeast on Prospekt Vakhdat), ☏ +992 446105252. Lounge, restaurant, gardens. Could be some problems with the wifi and a/c. Modern exterior. Could be a little expensive. (updated Aug 2020)