In the second half of the 19th century, the region came under the rule of the emirs of Bukhara, who subsequently fell under the protectorate of the Russian Empire.
During the Soviet period, the Regar district was established in 1935, and in 1978, it was renamed Tursunzade. The economy of Tursunzade is based on irrigated agriculture and industry, with the Tajik Aluminum Pant as one of the leading industries.
Tursunzade is the westernmost territory of Tajikistan. It borders Uzbekistan and occupies part of the Surkhandarya River valley, with its northern part located in the Gissar Range mountains. The Gissar Range is very popular destination for hiking enthusiasts. The historical and cultural landscape of the Shirkent Nature Reserve is particularly attractive, offering beautiful views of gorges and mountains along with ruins of ancient settlements (Kirgizkishlak) and fossilized dinosaur tracks.
The administrative center is located in the city of Tursunzade, named after the poet Mirzo Tursunzade, a native of the region. The district is crossed by a railway and a highway connecting Dushanbe to neighboring Uzbekistan. Today, Tursunzade is a modern city with multi-story residential buildings, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, sports facilities, and other infrastructure.
Tursunzade is not only a cultural and gastronomic hub but also a city with a rich folklore heritage, offering tourists an opportunity for new discoveries.
Beautiful cityscape
Karatag Recreation Area in a mountain gorge
Shirkent Historical and Natural Park
National crafts
Ancient monuments
Endless vineyards
Giant aluminum plant
Football team - seven-time champion of Tajikistan
Border checkpoint with Uzbekistan
Historical Monuments
in Tursunzade
The Mausoleum of Khoja Nakshron, a significant historical monument, showcases architectural art from the 10th to 11th centuries. Located in the village of 1-Maya, it was built in the late 12th to early 13th centuries. Constructed of fired bricks, the mausoleum features intricate patterns and Quranic verses in Arabic script inscribed on its walls.
This mausoleum, dedicated to Khidayatullo Ofokhodja, a prominent religious figure, dates back to 1093 in the Islamic calendar (Hijri), equivalent to 1715. The tomb measures 2.6 x 1.4 meters and is located 215 meters from the Karatag Fortress.
On the outskirts of Karatag lies a unique historical monument known as the "Stone Chest" or "Holy Stone," with inscriptions from 1112 in the Hijri calendar (18th century), indicating that the first settlers of the village were migrants from Samarkand.
Shirkent
The Shirkent Historical and Natural Park, one of Tajikistan's most picturesque mountainous regions, is located 70 km from Dushanbe and covers 3,000 hectares on the slopes of the Hissar Range. Dinosaur footprints from the Jurassic period (160 to 140 million years ago) are preserved here and can be seen today. The park includes the Karatag Gorge, known for its stunning natural scenery and health resorts, which attract numerous tourists annually. In the northern part of Shirkent Park is the remote village of Pashmi Kuhna, whose residents cannot recall how long the village has existed. This small village, with seven families, is set against a backdrop of picturesque high mountains.
In addition to being an industrial hub, Tursunzade is surrounded by expansive gardens and fertile agricultural lands, where dedicated farmers meticulously cultivate the land. The total area of gardens and vineyards spans 5,980 hectares, comprising 4,190 hectares of vineyards and 1,787 hectares of orchards. Visitors to Tursunzade are encouraged to explore its renowned vineyards, where they can savor the region's famously sweet, honey-like fruits.
Fishing is a well-developed activity in Tursunzade, with the city hosting 30 fish farming facilities spanning 34.22 hectares. These farms primarily raise trout, carp, and white amur. For tourists, fishing offers both a unique journey and a recreational experience, often accompanied by photo sessions. This form of tourism is still in its early stages in Tursunzade, but it is steadily gaining popularity.
The people of Tajikistan have long been renowned for their crafts and craftsmanship. For centuries, they have produced exquisite fabrics, pottery, musical instruments, carpets, furniture, jewelry, and more. In Tajikistan, entire dynasties of artisans have preserved and passed down their ancestral skills through generations, and Tursunzade is no exception.
When visiting any city in Central Asia, tourists should not miss the local market, or bazaar. Traditionally, artisans would work in their shops, crafting and selling their goods on-site. However, such scenes have become rare in modern cities, and Tursunzade is no exception. While there are no longer workshops in the city, many market stalls still offer handmade products. Visitors to the local market are sure to find unique souvenirs or authentic "handmade" items.
The production of tazliks (traditional headwear) has always been prominent in Tajikistan, with each region boasting its own unique style. Women's tazliks are particularly notable for their traditional motifs and techniques, passed down through generations. Recently, with the revival of national traditions, gold embroidery has made a resurgence. In Tursunzade, specialized stalls offer a variety of gold-embroidered items, including men's robes, women's short and long vests, tazliks, as well as shoes, belts, and handbags adorned with intricate gold stitching. This craft, predominantly practiced by women in Tursunzade, has experienced renewed popularity in recent decades. A gold-embroidered robe or tazlik makes for a meaningful and memorable gift from Tajikistan
With Love from the Artisan
One of the traditional crafts in Tajikistan is the making of baby cradles, known as gahvors. These cradles are typically crafted from walnut and apricot wood, with the base often made of mulberry wood. They usually measure between 92 cm and 1-1.5 meters in length, 35-45 cm in width, and 50-60 cm in height. While the shape and size of gahvors are consistent across Tajikistan, their painting and ornamentation vary by region. Artisans pour great care and affection into their creations, often incorporating blessings for the cradle's future occupant. Both full-size cradles and miniature versions, often sold as toys for girls, can be found in the markets of Tursunzade. Additionally, various other wooden items, from handmade furniture to unique souvenirs, are available. All these items are made from natural, eco-friendly materials and have become cherished keepsakes, especially among foreign visitors.
Pottery has been one of the most refined crafts in Central Asia for centuries. Each region's ceramics are distinguished by unique characteristics, reflected in their distinctive forms, decorative patterns, and colors.
Today, carpet production in Tajikistan is experiencing a revival, with a strong emphasis on handmade craftsmanship. In Tursunzade, carpet weaving is flourishing as artisans bring traditional regional designs back to life while incorporating their own creative elements, making each piece truly unique. Artisans produce both long-pile and short-pile carpets, with the quality varying based on the use of natural materials.
Tajik homes have long been adorned with patchwork items, created using a sewing technique known as kurak. This method involves stitching small pieces of fabric into geometric shapes to make rugs, bedspreads, and cushions. Kurak has been practiced in Tajikistan since the 17th century and remains popular across various regions. According to legend, the diamond-shaped pattern symbolizes a woman, and it was believed that a childless woman who passed through a patchwork screen would have her wish to become a mother fulfilled.
In Tursunzade, as throughout Tajikistan, craftsmanship is thriving. Local artisans create adras, a patterned silk fabric known for its flowing rainbow patterns. Adras reflects the character and traditions of the Tajik people, featuring a vibrant color palette and a smooth texture. This handcrafted fabric symbolizes kindness, optimism, and boundless energy.
Central Asian ceramics have long been celebrated, largely due to the skillful decorators who adorn the potter's creations. These decorations reflect the diverse traditions and perceptions of various regions and are known for their high quality. Even after many years, the vibrant decorations retain their luster, making them excellent souvenirs from Tajikistan.
At the market in Tursunzoda, there are many diverse products from craftsmen of applied arts, among them true masterpieces made from willow twigs that you simply can't take your eyes off. Baskets for household use, fences, and gazebos are woven from unpeeled branches. Peeled twigs are used to make more refined items such as vases, home furniture, and small baskets.
One of the revived arts is the making of musical instruments. In the hands of masters, they could cry and laugh, conveying shades of feelings. That is why the work of craftsmen in making musical instruments has always been valued, a tradition typically handed down through generations. The secrets were passed from hand to hand, from father to son, from generation to generation.
In Tursunzade, a variety of restaurants, teahouses, and cafeterias offer a delightful array of national dishes.
The restaurant Shirkent is renowned for its exquisite Eastern cuisine. At the teahouse Vahdat, you can enjoy delicious sweets paired with fragrant green tea, along with hot chapoti and kulcha flatbreads. The café Kolhoz Rossiya is famous for its diverse pilaf dishes. At Sayohat Café, guests can savor ten different types of kebabs made from fresh lamb, beef, and chicken. The restaurant Khujandi is celebrated for its signature kebabs, while the café Dilkhusho offers aromatic sambusa and an exceptional dulma, unique to this establishment.
The dance and musical folklore of the Hisar Valley, especially in Tursunzade, vividly reflects the spiritual culture of the local population and the historical roots of music and dance in the region.
The oral traditions of Tursunzade encompass a range of genres, including witty and humorous proverbs, satirical anecdotes, and soulful lyrical songs. Each genre is rooted in its own historical traditions. A notable form of oral folklore unique to the Hisar Valley and Tursunzade is called kofiya (or askiaya in Uzbek). This tradition features a dialogue between two or more participants who compete in quick-witted exchanges on various topics, with participants typically being men.
A vivid example of dance folklore is the folk ensemble Karatag, named after the eponymous district in Tursunzade. This district is situated on the southern slope of the Hisar Range, along both banks of the Karatag River, approximately 45 km west of Dushanbe.
The Karatag ensemble was established in 1988 and has represented the regional folk traditions in many countries around the world.
Additionally, Tursunzade is home to several musical groups, including an ensemble of shashmakom musicians—a genre of vocal-instrumental music that originated in Central Asia and developed in modern-day Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The city is also known for the Falak ("heaven" or "fate" in Tajik) ensemble, which performs a genre that features poetic forms such as rubai and bayt, as well as poems from folk traditions and classical Tajik-Persian poetry.
Nurturing local talents and showcasing them to visitors enriches the spiritual culture of both the ensemble members and the region’s residents.
To reach Tursunzade, travel from Dushanbe. From Dushanbe Airport, take a taxi to the 102nd microdistrict, specifically the "Zarnisor" stop, which costs around $4. At this stop, you'll find taxis heading to Tursunzade District. Note that taxi drivers typically wait until the car is full before departing. The fare can vary by season, so it's advisable to negotiate with the drivers. The distance from Dushanbe to the center of Tursunzade is approximately 55 km.
Tourists can also reach Tursunzade via the Uzbek-Tajik border at the "Pakhtaobod" checkpoint.
Accommodation is available at the three-star Shirkent hotel in Tursunzade, with prices ranging from $85 to $150 depending on the room category, from "standard" to "deluxe."
Main Population: Muslims
Coordinates: 38°30'39" N, 68°13'49" E
First Mention: Late 14th century
Official Language: Tajik
Population: 52,400 (2015)
Agglomeration: 267,300
Ethnic Composition: Tajiks, Uzbeks
Religious Composition: Muslims. Alongside mosques, there is an Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin in the city.
Time Zone: UTC+5
Telephone Code: +992 (3130)
Postal Code: 737450
Vehicle Code: 07 TJ
The material was prepared with the assistance of specialists from local executive authorities.
Media content from open sources and the archives of local historians was used.
