A Travel Guide to Dushanbe Tajikistan

Dushanbe is the largest city and the capital of the Republic of Tajikistan. It is the biggest science, cultural, industrial, and administrative center in the country. Dushanbe means Monday as it got this name from the famous Monday market of ancient times. It is a green city with parks, gardens, historic streets, and modern buildings. . It is a cool city, even in summer, as heat is mitigated by breezes from the mountains to the northeast.

How to get to Dushanbe

• By Air: Dushanbe is a major destination for many domestic and international airlines. Tajikistan has a couple of local carriers like Tajic Air and Somon Air that operates for Dushanbe too. We reached Dushanbe from Tashkent by Somon Air. The flight distance was one hour. Generally, a one-way ticket costs 30~40$, if booked before time. However, I purchased the ticket at a cost of 130$. I had to pay more for the specific day ticket.
• By land Border: We can reach Dushanbe from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan( from Kujand or Samarkand), China(kulma Pass), and Afghanistan(Ishkashim).

How to get around Dushanbe

Here in Dushanbe. we have options like buses, minibusses, and taxis. However, Shared taxis (marshrutkas) and minibusses are the most convenient ways that ply certain routes

• Shared Taxi: Shared taxis are very common in Dushanbe. Some taxis have numbers and fixed routes.
• Private Taxi: Private taxis are easy to afford in Dushanbe. You can take a city ride for 10~30 Somoni(1~3$). Yandex taxi and its app are a good option to travel within cities in Tajikistan. It is the most convenient and economical way too. In addition, metered/non-metered taxis are available everywhere in Dushanbe as well as in other big cities. Please confirm the fare before riding to any non-meter taxi and do it twice on the safer side.
• Public Bus service: You can pay your bus fare by using an electronic fare card or temporary cards with a travel package. Once you have the card you can top it up with a certain credit limit. A bus ride costs only 1 somoni (Small vans 2 Somoni per ride). The card is intended for regular travel by buses and trolleybuses. The Initial cost of the card is 10 somoni, of which 4 somoni remains on the card balance and cannot be spent. You can top up the card through the terminals of the Express Pay company.

Where to Stay In Dushanbe

We stayed in City Hostel Dushanbe for three nights. One night, on our arrival to Dushanbe, and two nights after visiting Khorog. The Hostel owner, Mr. Kamran was a good guy and we had many helpful travel tips from him. The hostel rooms were clean and the location was very convenient. So, I fully recommend this hostel and definitely will stay in the same property on my next visit to Dushanbe.

Top Attractions in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

After dropping the luggage off at my hostel, I went to the OVIR office for my GBAO permit.GBAO is the permit that is needed to visit the Pamir Region of Tajikistan. It took me around one hour to get the permit. So, after completing the important task, I started the Dushanbe city visit from Famous Rudaki Avenue from its Southside.

Rudaki Avenue

Rudaki Avenue, Previously known as Lenin street is a lively street in Dushanbe. Now the street is named after Rudaki, the Tajik national poet. It runs from the south of the city from Dushanbe Train station to the North of the City near botanical gardens. Rudaki Avenue is the main shopping street running through the city with some of Dushanbe’s best restaurants. For many visitors, a walk down Rudaki Avenue is not only a walk through the capital but a walk back through the history of Dushanbe. As it has many historical buildings from the Soviet era. Its tree-lined pathway is illuminated with numerous lights in the evening and offers you to take a stroll along the way.

Tajikistan Parliament House

While coming from the south, this most important site will come to our right in Dosti Square. During the Soviet period, this building served as the headquarters of the government. It was constructed in 1940 with three stories to accommodate both houses of parliament. Dosti Square exclusively holds many public gatherings, military parades, and demonstrations on the occasion of national holidays. Flower patterns and fountains work in this area adding fuel to the fire of its history.

Memorial of Ismoil Somoni, Dushanbe Tajikistan

Across the road, we can not miss the giant statue of Ismail Samani dominating the Ozodi square. This giant statue rises 25 meters high and is placed at the same place where the statue of Lenin once stood. The Statue of Ismoil Somoni wore a crown atop. It is said that the monument contains 10KG of pure gold, that’s why you can find police near the monument at all times.  Ismail Somoni, a historical figure became Tajikistan’s national hero after Tajik independence. It was Ismail Somoni that united the Samanid states in 892. His empire ruled over what is nowadays Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Ismail Somoni statue is one of the major monuments in Dushanbe and the symbol of the city.  It is at the south entrance of Rudaki Park.

NATIONAL LIBRARY of Tajikistan

The Tajik National Library was constructed to look like an open book. It can hold up to 10 million books but up till now, it has about 3 million books. The National Library of Tajikistan is the main national book depository of Tajikistan, which is a particularly valuable object of the cultural heritage of the people of the Republic of Tajikistan. By its size, it is the largest library in the countries of Central Asia.

Rudaki Park Dushanbe Tajikistan

After visiting the Ismoil Somoni monument, we entered Rudaki Park from its south gate. Rudaki is the father of Persian literature and a beloved poet for most Persian-speaking populations. He was born in the Samanid Empire in Penjikent. Although Rudaki is equally popular as a national poet in Iran he has become Tajikistan’s national hero after independence. The Park is a scenic, meticulously landscaped garden area featuring fountains, statues, manicured lawns, trees from across the globe, and a plethora of stunning flowers. Within Rudaki Park you’ll find various other statues and monuments including the mosaic-adorned archway that highlights the figure of Rudaki in the center.

The Presidential Palace Dushanbe Tajikistan

Located beside Shahidan Square, on the junction with Ismoil Somoni Street this large beige-colored building was formerly the headquarters of the Tajik Communist Party. Its Tajik name is Qasr e Millat(Palace of Nations), also known as the White House of Tajikistan. This building was built in the 40s and is a classic example of Stalinist administrative architecture. This place is very important to the country because all the main events and meetings are held there. As the official residence of the President of Tajikistan, The president receives foreign dignitaries at this palace.

Dushanbe Flagpole, The world 2nd highest

It was the tallest flagpole in the world when it was erected in 2011. It is 165m tall. Now it is the 2nd highest after the Jeddah flagpole in Saudi Arabia. However, it is placed in front of the Palace of Nations in Dushanbe and you can take your Dushanbe landmark picture from here.

National Museum of Tajikistan

The museum is located on the northern side of Rudaki Park next to the giant flag pole. The new National Museum is spread over four floors filling 22 halls it has an ultra-modern feel upon entrance. The National Museum of Tajikistan opened its doors in 2011 and it is located in the center of Dushanbe city. You will be guided through Tajikistan’s history as well as see the exhibitions about Tajikistan’s natural wonders, geography, and wildlife. One negative point, is if you visit the museum on your own then you can feel difficult as the exhibited articles lack signage in English.

 I visited this museum on the night of 18th May. It was a Museum Day celebration there. So, there wasn’t any entry ticket there to visit the museum. The entrance fee on Normal Visiting days is 25 somonis for foreigners

This Museum has four main subsections are departments that have artifacts about

• Natural History
• Ancient and Medieval History
• Modern and Contemporary History
• Fine and Applied Arts.

WALL OF GREAT TAJIK WRITERS

This Wal is a facade on the Writers’ Union building in Dushanbe. It is next to the National Museum of Tajikistan. We can find eleven statues of Tajikistan’s greatest writers including Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Ibne Sina, Saadi Sherazi, Hafiz Sherazi, Ayni, Maxim Gorkey, and Omar Khayyam. In the garden next to the building, we can see the large statues of Ayni and Gorky, sitting around a table, absorbed in conversation.

Nawruz Palace Dushanbe Tajikistan

Nawruz Palace has a giant man-made lake, bowling alley, pool hall, cinema, restaurant, and a number of main halls. It is a cultural entertainment center with new construction of 12 unusual halls. Each of these halls has a special national style. Local craftsmen create these beautiful wood carvings, wall decorations, mosaics, and painted ceilings. Its grand scale is impressive, but so are the details. It really is a Tajik work of art. Equally extravagant are the gardens with pavilions and fountains. At the same time, it is ready to accept up to 3200 guests

Mehrgon Market

Mehrgon is a new and modern food market in Dushanbe. We visited Mehrgon Market as an alternative to Green Market which was a central market and the main hub of trade in the city. Unfortunately, the green market was closed due to covid. So, as an alternative plan, our Hostel owner Mr. Kamran advised us to visit Mehrgon Market which was equally impressive as the Green Market of Dushanbe. You shall find fruits, dried fruits, and other snacks from here. Besides, from the second floor, you can get a wide-angle photo of a typical Central Asian Market.

Victory Park Dushanbe Tajikistan

After visiting the Mehrgon, I decided to take a hike to Victory park which was about 30 minutes from the market. All the way to the top, it was a moderate hike. Eventually, it became one of my favorite things to do in Dushanbe. As an alternative to hiking, you can get a taxi ride for 20TJS from the center of town to reach the park. You can visit an impressive World War 2 memorial on top of the hill. The place provides a beautiful view of the city. Victory Park is located in the eastern section of the town. Sitting in one of the leafy bowers while watching the sunset will be a pleasant activity in Dushanbe. Especially, its panorama café is the best place to relax and enjoy the city views.

New Mosque(Grand Mosque of Central Asia)

Importantly, it is the largest mosque in central Asia. Moreover, the building is a majestic one. It is a masterpiece and mosaic work of white on a blue background. The construction of this mosque started in 2011 and it took eight years to its completion. It holds up to 120 thousand worshippers. I went to Diamed Lab for my Covid test and I saw this masterwork of Tajikistan. There was an entry ban to the mosque due to the covid situation. I also marked the Diamed Lab on the map. This lab provides the results within 12 hours for a test fee of 168 Somoni.

What Next to Dushanbe

Finally, after visiting Dushanbe in Tajikistan, I headed toward Pamir’s Side. More precisely to Khorog, known as the gateway to Pamir.