Kashkadarya

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Visit Guide to Kashkadarya

Kashkadarya is located in the south-eastern part of Uzbekistan in the basin of the Kashkadarya River and on the western slopes of the Pamir-Alay mountains. It borders Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Samarkand, Bukhara and Surkhandarya Regions. The regional capital is Karshi (Qarshi). The climate is a typically arid continental climate and partly semi-tropical. The city of Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Temur, is the main tourist attraction in the region.

You can reach Kashkadarya by plane, rail and road transports.

By Plane

There are direct local flights from Tashkent, Urganch, Samarkand and international flights from Moscow. The Karshi International Airport is close to railway station.

By Bus

From the capital of Uzbekistan Tashkent buses run towards Kashkadarya daily.

By Car

By taxi you are able to pass Takhtikoracha passage – Ancient Silk Road through Samarkand and travelers become witness a beautiful nature of Kashkadarya and high mountains. 

By Train

Afrosiyob fast train reaches the region within three hours from Tashkent.

The most visited city in Kashkadarya is Shahrisabz. In Shahrisabz you can visit the centuries old palace of Amir Temur Ak Saray and neighbourhood area is also outstanding. The birthplace of the outstanding commander Amir Timur – the city of Shakhrisabz in Kashkadarya region is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural heritage.

The popular international tourist objects besides monuments of Shakhrisabz, is Sultan Mir Khaydar – the architectural complex of ancient mausoleum and mosque in the village Kasbi. About 15 historical monuments of XV – XVI centuries are preserved in the administrative center of the area – the city of Karshi.

The second largest city in the province – Shakhrisabz is world renown for being the birthplace of Amir Temur. The Great Silk Road passed through the city. The architectural monuments built by Amir Temur and his grandson Ulughbek attract the attention of tourists.

In addition, Shakhrisabz is one of the oldest centers of crafts. Gold-woven skullcap embroidered here won gold medals in international exhibitions in Canada, Turkey and Japan. Copper, earthenware made with great skill were the winners of many exhibitions. In the foothills of Kashkadarya – Kitab, Shakhrisabz, Yakkabag, Dekhkanabad, Chirakchi, Kamashi, natural conditions and a favorable climate allow to develop eco-tourism, there are health centers, sanatoriums and rest homes there.

The toponym Kashkadarya has several meanings: “river lost in the sand” and “transparent, clean river”. This land remembers the heyday of the powerful ancient States of Parthia and Sogd, here was the winter headquarters of Alexander the Great during his Asian conquest, here, in the village of Khoja Ilgar near Shakhrisabz, the greatest medieval commander and statesman Amir Temur (Tamerlane) was born.

Here once walked herds of dinosaurs that left their traces on limestone rocks, here is the highest point of Uzbekistan 4643 meters above sea level.
Kashkadarya has great opportunities for hiking, trekking, horse and bicycle tours, ecological, ethnographic and agrotourism.

The culture of Kashkadarya is rich and dates back to the Palaeolithic Period. Primitive artists painted the historical arts in the Siypantosh monument in the Chirakchi district remains. The Greek-style fortress of Alexandr the Great found in Dehkhanabad. According to journalist Asror Allayarov, only 100 Arabs speak a unique language in Mirishkor district which ethnic Arabs lives, migrated from Arabic countries in the 13th century.

 The famous city of the region Shahrisabz named the “City of Festivals” by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Maqom Art Festival, A festival of national clothes, International Pomegranate festival, Golden Word Literary festivals are the main celebrations in Kashkadarya.

The region is located in the Kashkadarya river basin, on the western slope of the Pamir-Alai mountains. Due to the continental climate (sometimes even subtropical) on the slope of the Pamir-Alai mountains, the air in the region is the purest, and the natural landscape fascinates with its flora and fauna. There are several well – known nature reserves in the region – Kitab, Gissar and Kizil-say nature reserve.

It is here in the foothills that the colorful jewels of nature are grown-pomegranates, quinces, peaches, pears, cherries, lemons. Huge abundance of vegetables, several types of nuts: pistachios, peanuts, walnuts. Spacious pastures allow you to raise livestock. And all this under the warm sun, among wide fields and ancient mounds.

Irrigated land is 515.4 thousand hectares, desert land is 256.9 thousand hectares, badlands are 20.8 thousand hectares, forest land is 10.9 thousand hectares.

The economy of the region is focused on agriculture. The share of agricultural production in the gross provincial product is more than 27,3%. The natural and climatic conditions of the region are associated with a higher average temperature than in other areas. Long duration of the warm season and fertile soil allow to grow heat-loving subtropical crops – late-staple fine-fibre varieties of cotton, persimmons and sugar cane.

The Kashkadarya region is the large and significant province, having rich natural resources. The region accounts for 98% gas and more than 80% of oil produced in Uzbekistan. According to the estimations, province’s oil reserves make up tens of millions of tons. The province accounts for 13% of the republic’s industrial production.