Termiz: Archaeology, Culture and Crafts

Termiz and its surroundings preserve historic sites associated with Zoroastrianism, Nestorianism, Buddhism and Islam. Archaeological complexes, museums and religious buildings reveal different historical facets of the city. The crafts and traditional arts of Surxondaryo Province are also part of Termiz’s cultural identity.

Archaeology in and around Termiz

The Termiz Archaeological Museum displays more than 40,000 archaeological artefacts and historical objects across ten halls. Its exhibits span the Kushan Empire and Hellenistic culture, ancient Bactria, and the Stone and Bronze Ages. The museum offers a broad overview, while the sites beyond its exhibition halls bring specific architectural forms and ruins into focus.

Qoratepa is located on the northwestern edge of ancient Termiz. This Buddhist temple complex includes structures above ground and carved into caves. In its northern part is an above-ground temple with a large stupa; the remains visible today may vary. Confirm access to Qoratepa locally.

The monumental Buddhist structure Zurmala lies northeast of the fortress walls of Kushan Termiz. Its stupa dates from the 1st or 2nd century AD; it had a diameter of 14.5 metres and an original total height of 16 metres. Zurmala is considered the largest of the known stupas in Central Asia. Here, too, it is advisable to confirm access locally.

Fayaztepa lies within the territory of the ancient city of Termiz, between the Amu Darya and an old caravan route, outside the modern city centre. The complex included a temple, a monastery and a courtyard with utility rooms. Its architectural features include a small stupa with a round dome and a cruciform ground plan, where ritual ablutions were performed.

Kampyrtepa stands out for its location and its character as an ancient Bactrian ruin city: the site lies on the right bank of the Amu Darya, 30 kilometres from Termiz. Its structures include a lower town, a deep moat and a citadel. A strong fortress wall with rectangular towers protects the lower town; the remains of a Buddhist temple can also be seen on the site.

Religious and historic complexes

The Hakim at-Termizi complex combines a domed mausoleum and a memorial mosque with the ancient cave structures of Chillahona, dating from the 5th to 10th centuries AD. It also includes the ruins of the ancient city of Tarmita, old Termiz, and a museum of Termiz and its surroundings. The ensemble thus brings together different historic sites and architectural forms.

On the outskirts of Termiz is the Sultan-Saodat ensemble, with tombs associated with the Termiz Sayyids. Another religious building in the city is the church dedicated to Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, built in 1901. Its features include a bell tower and an iconostasis; the interior contains icons and church objects.

Crafts and regional cuisine

The Termiz Ethno Village was created as a cultural destination with modern infrastructure. It showcases the history, crafts and traditional arts of Surxondaryo Province. Visitors can buy handicrafts there and watch artisans at work. In this way, alongside archaeological heritage, contemporary craftsmanship is also in the spotlight.

Cafés and restaurants in Termiz serve traditional Surxondaryo dishes, including shurpa, kazan kebab and a dish locally known as “kuy gosht.” The landscapes and proximity to the Amu Darya contribute to the calm, tranquil atmosphere for which Termiz is known. A stay in the city thus combines cultural experiences with regional cuisine and a riverside setting.

For the broader travel overview: Surxondaryo Province.