Varzob is, first and foremost, a popular resort area renowned for its beautiful landscapes, pure air, mineral waters, and sulfur springs. The Varzob district is located in the Hissar Valley, adjacent to the northern border of Dushanbe city.

To the north, it borders the Aini district of Sughd province; to the west, it borders the Hissar district; to the south, it is bordered by Rudaki district; and to the east, by Vahdat district. The Varzob River flows from north to south through the district. In the highest areas of the district, the mountains reach up to 4,000 meters, with some glaciers present. The Varzob River is the main water artery, supplying the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, with clean mountain water.
The district shares its name with its administrative center, which is situated in the valley of the Varzob River, along which runs the main highway from Dushanbe to the north. Due to its mountainous terrain, the district's agriculture is mainly focused on livestock farming and horticulture. In addition, there is the extraction of various mineral resources.
The Varzob Valley also attracts mountaineers and rock climbers. In the south of the district, along the shores of Lake Varzob, facilities have been established for comfortable recreation.

History
Until 1920, Varzob was part of the Hissar Bekdom of the Bukhara Emirate. The Varzob district was established in 1939 as part of the Tajik SSR.
The Varzob district includes two urban-type settlements, Varzob and Takob, six rural communities, and 75 villages. The valley of the Varzob River lies amid the picturesque slopes of the Hissar mountain range. Until the 1920s, the Varzob Gorge was difficult to access. It could only be entered from the north, via the Anzob or Shutur-Gardan passes. In the late 1920s, as highways from Dushanbe to various parts of the republic began to be constructed, a highway was built along the Varzob River.
In 2011, the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway through the Varzob Gorge was put into operation. This road provided an opportunity not only for the economic development of the Varzob district but also for residents of various regions of Tajikistan and tourists to travel freely along the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak road throughout the year and enjoy the views of Varzob.
In its lower course, the Varzob River, known as Dushanbinka, flows out onto a vast plain where the city of Dushanbe is located, and further downstream, to the west of the capital, it flows into the Kafirnigan River. Today, the Varzob Gorge is a favorite recreational spot for Dushanbe residents. There are over 100 recreational areas here, which annually host more than 200,000 domestic and foreign guests.

Khoja Obi Garm - Healing Spring

At the 42nd kilometer from Dushanbe, beyond the village of Khushyor, the road turns left to the Khoja Obi Garm resort. In the 1970s, a large resort complex was built there, including three large buildings of 10, 6, and 4 stories. They have all the necessary amenities for successful treatment and comfortable living. The complex was designed by architects from France. They managed to organically integrate it into the surrounding landscape. The buildings not only do not disturb the harmony of nature but even further emphasize the beauty of the peaks and slopes against which they are located.
The main therapeutic agent at the resort is mineral water, with a temperature ranging from +45 to +96 degrees Celsius, used for baths. The hot mineral springs of Khoja Obi Garm have been known for their healing properties since ancient times. They emerge from a zone of faults and cracks in the red granites. Waters similar in composition to those found here are only located in

Syoma
The Syoma River (54 km from Dushanbe) is famous for its blue, crystal-clear waters, wild apple trees, dog rose bushes, birch groves, and currant bushes that bear abundant berries in the fall. On the hottest days, the water in Syoma is icy cold (not more than 4 degrees Celsius). It is always transparent and pure. Even during the spring floods, when the water in Varzob becomes dark brown from the mud, pebbles, and stones, Syoma remains an astonishingly blue hue.

Water with a "Narzan" Taste
Another attraction of Varzob is the six-kilometer "Istiklol" tunnel through the mountain massif at the Anzob Pass, which provides year-round connection between the center and the north of the republic. Nearby, 16 km to the northeast of the village of Ziddi, at an altitude of 3030 meters, are the cold carbonated mineral springs of Khoja Sanghok. The mineral water flows out of the cracks in the Paleozoic crystalline schists with several ascending streams and appears to boil from the intense release of carbon dioxide. It is reminiscent of "Narzan" in taste and is known to the residents of the capital as “Anzob” mineral water.

Scenic Gorges of Varzob
Near Dushanbe, in the right-side gorge of the Varzob River, the Gusgarf waterfall, the most beautiful in the Hissar range, cascades down. The turbulent river has carved a vertical rock wall over many centuries and plunges from a height of 30 meters. The massive volume of water below breaks into countless droplets that shimmer in the sunlight like a rainbow. The hiking trail to the waterfall starts at the 21st kilometer of the Varzob Gorge. From there, it takes about two to three hours to reach the waterfall (about 8 km). In addition to the Gusgarf waterfall, the gorges of the Syoma, Odzhuk, Kondara, Maikhura, and Takob rivers, which flow into the Varzob River, are also popular for their unique beauty.

Historical Monuments
With its beautiful nature, Varzob has attracted people since ancient times, leading them to settle in this area. In the Varzob district, there are a total of 25 historical and cultural monuments, including 17 ancient monuments and 8 architectural monuments. These include settlements, fortresses, mausoleums, shrines, and more. Among the ancient historical monuments that have survived to this day are the settlement of Chorbog (10th-11th centuries), the Kalajo fortress (1st-4th centuries), the settlement of Sari Kutal (1st-4th centuries), the Khoja Sanghok mausoleum, the fortress of Jago (6th-8th centuries), and others.
The temple "Khojai Guli Badom" is also one of the oldest shrines. This shrine is located at the entrance to the village of Zimchurud in the Varzob-kala rural community, on an elevation that resembles a small castle with a natural stone foundation. At the top of this castle is an ancient burial site known to the locals as "Khojai Guli Bodom" (Khoja Flower of Almond). It is surrounded by black mountain stones, which are very ancient and have been preserved to this day.
According to legends, a scholar-preacher lived there, who acquainted the local people with the meanings of the verses of the Quran and taught them to read and write. Near his residence, Khoja planted an almond tree. As the village elders say, every time the almond tree grew old and withered, Khojai Guli Bodom did not cut or disturb the dry tree, but instead planted a fresh mountain almond tree nearby so that every spring he could enjoy its blossoming.
After the death of Khojai Guli Bodom, the local people continued his tradition, which has been preserved to this day, and the place itself was named "Mazor Khojai Guli Bodom."

Craft Creations
Tajiks have long been renowned for the works of their craftsmen. These skilled hands have created fabrics, utensils, musical instruments, carpets, furniture, jewelry, and much more for many centuries. Today, many of these items have become souvenirs that are especially valued by foreign guests visiting Tajikistan. The art of our people has its own characteristics, and entire dynasties of folk craftsmen pass it down from generation to generation.
Every year, creative craftsmen and craftswomen from the Chorbog, Varzob-Kala, Luchob, Dehmalik, Zideh, and Takob communities of Varzob district participate in various republican and international exhibitions, showcasing their creations.
Woodturning (Tabaktaroshi) is one of the traditional Tajik crafts associated with the production of plates, cups, spoons, and other wooden dishes, and is very developed in the Varzob district. Various types of such dishes have been popular here since ancient times.
Today, dozens of masters and hundreds of students are involved in the study of folk crafts in the district, such as basket weaving, sewing, carpet weaving, carpentry, embroidery, and more.

Folk Songs of Varzob
The traditional folk folklore of Tajiks generally has common roots, but in each region, it has its own distinct features.
The folk songs of Varzob are diverse and colorful. Songs were sung by shepherds, field workers, craftsmen, and craftswomen at work. They were sung at weddings and during ritual ceremonies. Popular among the people are quatrains (rubai), fairy tales—magical and satirical, and humorous anecdotes (latifas).
Musical instruments are varied: string instruments—dutar, rubab, tanbur, etc.; bowed—ghijak; wind—nai, karnai, surnai; cymbals—chang; percussion—tablak (clay timpani), doyra (tambourine), kairok (stone castanets). In modern folk music, the accordion, mandolin, and tar are also common.

How to Get to Varzob District

There are two ways to reach Varzob District:

Via Dushanbe:
After arriving at Dushanbe Airport, you need to get to a place called "Vodonasosnaya" (in the northern outskirts of the city). The taxi ride from the airport to this location costs around $3-$4. At "Vodonasosnaya," there is a parking area for shared minibuses and taxis heading to Varzob District. The cost for one seat in a taxi depends on the season and ranges from $2-$3. The distance from Dushanbe to the center of Varzob District is 25 km.
Via Khujand:

The distance from Khujand to the center of Varzob District is 270 km.