Rasht has been known since medieval times as one of the settlements on the Great Silk Road, the capital of the historical region of Karategin in the Pamir-Alay mountains.
The nature of Rasht District is stunning, with the Kamarob, Yasman, and Hoyit gorges considered the best spots for leisure.
The district center, the settlement of Garm, is located on the right bank of the Surkhob River, between the Karategin and Peter I ranges, 185 km east of Dushanbe.
In the pre-Soviet period, the territory of present-day Rasht District was part of the Karategin Bekdom of the Emirate of Bukhara.
With the dissolution of the Emirate in 1920 and the establishment of the Bukharan People’s Soviet Republic (BNSR), the Garm Vilayat (region) initially became part of the BNSR, and from 1924, it was part of the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR), within the Uzbek SSR.
In December 1929, with the proclamation of the Tajik SSR, Garm District became part of the Garm Region.
From October 1939, Garm District was part of the Garm Region until its abolition in 1955.
Since August 1955, the district has been under republican subordination.
In April 2001, Garm District was renamed Rasht District, in honor of the historical region of Rasht.
Rasht District is rich in natural resources such as coal, aluminum, and marble. The coal extracted from the Nazarailok deposit in the Yasman village is considered unique in the republic due to its high combustion temperature. Moreover, Rasht has numerous mineral springs that are considered healing.
Rasht is the homeland of many prominent public figures, renowned artists, writers, and scholars, such as Nusratullo Makhsum, Munavvar Shagadaev, Saidullo Khayrulloev, Mirzo Rakhmatov, Boki Rakhimzoda, Mehmon Bakhti, Zafar Nozim, Khaydar Qasimov, Abdurakhmon Nazriev, Saidrahmon Nazriev, and many others.

The Beauty of the Rasht Valley

Rasht District boasts unique natural beauty.
The picturesque gorges of Kamarob, Hoyit, Yasman, Jafr, Kalanak, Tagoba, Sikhdara, and Khidjbora are rich in natural resources. The region is abundant with rivers, ponds, healing springs, lakes, and waterfalls.
There are five small rivers and seven lakes in the district, and the areas around them are ideal for tourist recreation.
The region is rich in flora, primarily consisting of juniper and coniferous forests. There are more than 3,500 species of flowering plants and spores. Medicinal plants such as taron, rov, rhubarb, mint, mountain sedge, St. John’s wort, hawthorn, bitter almond, pistachio, and others grow here.
The region’s wildlife is diverse, with many species of animals. Bears, snow leopards, ibex, wild boars, wolves, foxes, lynxes, jackals, trout, and others inhabit the area.
Birdlife includes steppe partridges, pheasants, owls, starlings, ducks, pigeons, falcons, and other birds.

Kamarob Gorge

The famous Kamarob Gorge attracts numerous tourists every year. Its enchanting landscapes, waterfalls, healing water of Khushlara, hunting grounds, the rich Zugol Mountain, coal mine Kaftarkhona, diverse trees, and wild animals and birds draw the attention of travelers.
The Kamarob State Reserve, which covers an area of over 10,500 hectares, was established in 1960. Its main purpose is to breed trout, bears, and mountain goats. Additionally, the reserve houses more than 23 species of birds and 350 species of medicinal plants.

Hoyit Gorge

In the village of Hoyit, tourists can explore the remnants of the devastating 1949 earthquake, which completely destroyed the previous settlement. In honor of the earthquake victims, a historical monument – the "Mother" statue – was erected at the entrance to Hoyit.
The Yasman, Nazarailok, and Shavr gorges are perfect places for sightseeing and hunting. The Shavr Gorge, which extends for 21 kilometers from end to end, is rich in various types of plants and fruit trees.
In this area, in the Piyozi Gorge, many mineral resources have been discovered. According to experts, the number of mineral resources in the Piyozi Gorge amounts to at least 24 types.

The “Apple Park” of Jafr Valley

The Jafr Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in Rasht District, and tourists visit it annually due to its cultural and recreational spots and enchanting nature.
In 1988, at the initiative of farmer Mirzoshohi Akobir, the botanical and cultural garden "Kuhsori Ajam" was established here. This garden covers an area of about 1 hectare, where 64 local varieties of apples, 34 varieties of apricots, many varieties of cherries, grapes, plums, peaches, walnuts, and almonds are cultivated, which were on the brink of extinction.
The park also features a national history museum, a handicrafts center, a traditional guesthouse, and a beekeeping section, where tourists can learn about the history and culture of the highland people and purchase handicrafts, medicinal herbs, and fresh honey made from mountain plants.
Rasht is a land of abundant fruit, where, they say, if you plant a stick in the ground, it will bear apples in a year. The fragrant Garm apples have long been considered the kings of eastern markets. But how do you know that these are the very apples, how do you avoid being mistaken?
The simplest way is to travel to the Jafr Valley and participate in the autumn harvest of aromatic apples and pears.
The “Apple Park,” built on the basis of the botanical garden in the Jafr Valley, is very attractive and unique, offering a pleasant place for tourists to stroll.
After tasting these heavenly fruits, you’ll be energized with vitamins for the entire winter, and this will surely become an annual journey for you.

"Cradle of Life" Made by Hand
It is believed that the most colorful baby cradles (gahvora) are made in northern Tajikistan, but the work of Rashti carpenters is unique in its own way. Their cradles stand out for their intricate carvings and durability. In Tajik tradition, a cradle must be part of every child's dowry. In each region, there are special carpenters, called gahvorasoz masters, who craft these cradles. What does the process involve? First, the master selects the right wood, typically willow or poplar, which are ideal for babies. The master then cuts the wood into boards and constructs the cradle’s frame. Once the boards are the right size, the frame is assembled, and the curved part of the cradle is shaped using an old technique called "sallabandak" and then painted. The distinguishing feature of Rasht’s cradles is that they are primarily painted in black and red, with green occasionally used to accent the designs. The predominance of black and red sets these cradles apart. Women of the household—wives, mothers, or daughters-in-law—are often entrusted with painting them. The final step is carving, which requires the carpenter to also be a skilled woodworker.

Falak – A Voice Raised to the Heavens
Throughout history, the Tajik people, including those in Rasht, have expressed their emotions through song. These musical messages were passed down orally from generation to generation. People sang about their hardships, feelings, and dreams, often in poetic form. Over time, melodies were added, played on traditional instruments like the daf and rubab. Eventually, this musical creativity evolved into a genre known as "falak." The name "falak" comes from the Arabic word meaning "sky" or "fate." It represents a cry to the heavens about life's difficulties and injustices. Falak originated in Tajikistan’s mountainous regions. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that falak singers traditionally directed their songs to the sky, receiving an echo from the surrounding mountains. Originally, falak was composed of rubai (quatrains), but over time, classical ghazals began to be incorporated into a style called "falaki rogi." Thanks to the talent of falak singers, this distinctive genre has been preserved and continues to develop professionally in the hands of the next generation. Falak became a recognized genre of Tajik music in 2004, and October 10 was declared Falak Day in Tajikistan. In 2021, UNESCO added falak to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mausoleum of Khoja Abdullah Vali
Rasht is home to many historical monuments, one of which is the architectural complex of Khoja Abdullah Vali, which was added to the list of Tajikistan's cultural heritage sites in 2017 as a monument of local importance. The mausoleum is located in the village of Obi Mehnat, 25 km from Garm. It is the burial place of Khoja Abdullah Vali, a notable Islamic figure. The structure has a portal-dome design, built from fired bricks, and was restored in 2006.

In Rasht, great attention is given to creating comfortable conditions for the region’s guests. Today, the district has three hotels and one hostel with a total of 54 rooms and 137 beds. Specifically, the "Sokhili Surkhob" hotel has 27 rooms and 69 beds, "Shomi Rasht" hotel has 10 rooms and 32 beds, and "Jamiyati Matlubot" hotel offers 13 rooms and 27 beds. The "Aga Khan" hostel has 4 rooms with 8 beds and is equipped with modern facilities. In addition, the district has 15 guest houses (homestays). Prices for hotel and hostel rooms range from 150 to 400 somoni, while guest house rates range from 100 to 200 somoni.
The Central District Hospital, equipped with modern technology, operates in the town of Gharm. Additionally, there are 36 medical centers in the Rasht district, providing services to the population. A stadium, a cultural palace, and a park have been built for both residents and visitors to the district. For fans of Eastern cuisine, teahouses, restaurants, and cafés are always open in Gharm. You can enjoy delicious pilaf, mantu, and various types of kebabs at "Siyariyon" and "Mirzoyub" cafés. European, including Turkish, dishes can be ordered at the "Istanbul" café. In national teahouses and dining halls such as "Rukhafzo," "Kurutobkhona," and "Khojiyon," you can try popular Tajik dishes like kurutob, kebabs, and khomshurbo, accompanied by aromatic green tea and served with warm traditional breads like girdacha, kulcha, and fatir.

How to Get to Rasht?
From Dushanbe airport, you need to get to the terminal on the eastern outskirts of the city or to the "DOK" area, where taxis heading to the eastern regions, including Rasht, are stationed. The fare from the airport to these locations by taxi is approximately $3. Taxi drivers usually wait until they have a full carload of passengers before departing. The cost of one seat in a taxi depends on the season and averages around $8–$9. The distance from downtown Dushanbe to the district center of Rasht is 180 km.