Surxondaryo

Termez is the capital of Uzbekistan's Surxondaryo Region, a southern gateway city on the Amu Darya river close to the border with Afghanistan. As one of the oldest urban centres in Central Asia, it combines deep history with a quieter, border-region character quite different from Tashkent or Samarkand.

The city's past stretches back through Bactrian, Kushan and Islamic eras. Buddhist sites such as Fayaz Tepe, Kara Tepe and the Zurmala Stupa survive as reminders of its Silk Road role, while the mausoleum complex of al-Hakim al-Termezi and the Sultan Saodat ensemble reflect centuries of Islamic scholarship and architecture. The modern city was rebuilt in the late 19th century as a Russian garrison settlement and renamed Termez in 1928.

Visitors can explore the Archaeological Museum of Termez, whose collections trace the region from Buddhist sculpture to medieval artefacts, and take day trips to nearby fortresses, minarets and ancient ruins across Surxondaryo. The city itself is compact, with a central park, bazaar, Soviet-era boulevards and the Amu Darya riverbank framing daily life.

As a border and logistics hub, Termez serves trade, transport and official links with Afghanistan and South Asia through the Hairatan crossing and its international airport. The food scene centres on Uzbek staples such as plov, shashlik and samsa, along with fresh local produce, tea houses and small family restaurants.

For travellers, Termez offers a distinctive mix of archaeological discovery, Islamic heritage and cross-border context, making it relevant for cultural visitors, business delegations and those exploring Uzbekistan's less-travelled south.