Tajikistan Travel Guide

In the process of rebuilding after a long and painful civil war, Tajikistan is slowly orienting itself towards progress and change. Like Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan is an ancient and mountainous nation, but in contrast, the nation is much more basic. Two thirds of the population have a standard of living comparable to central African nations. Nonetheless, the locals are expressive, hospitable and warm. Tajikistan’s mountainous terrain makes mountaineering, trekking and adventure travel naturally popular activities. More than 50% of the glaciated areas in Central Asia can be found in Tajikistan, hosting over 8,000 glaciers. The Pamir mountain range is a major and popular range, where the original inhabitants can be considered the descendents of the Aryan tribes that invaded India 4000 years ago. Penjikent, located in western Tajikistan, is a well preserved historical site considered at one point as Central Asia’s Pompeii. The Soghdians, a group of important pre-Islamic peoples, flourished here. Opulent palaces and temples can be found. Other attractions include the strange lakes of Muragazor, a system of seven lakes that change colour as the light changes.  Dushanbe is the Tajik capital that at one point was renamed Stalinabad. Tajikistan is where you will find 2,500 year old cities, unique ancient monuments, historical sites amidst vast glacier valleys and stunning alpine scenery.