This mountainous area is the smallest country in Central Asia, but the traditional Chinese silk road. During the Tien-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges in Tajikistan, three primary caravanning routes were running. Only 7% of the land is arable, almost all fertile Fergana Valley in the north, which produces the main agricultural crop, cotton, which is the country's largest export of aluminum.
Tajikistan's capital and largest city in Dushan, a modern and European-style, wide tree-lined boulevard and a spectacular backdrop for snow-capped peaks. Many of the city's many memorials and monuments in memory of the past and the region's Persian impacts include many recreational areas, mountain parks and canyons, and one with a 100-foot waterfall.
The National Archaeological Museum contains the 1600-year-old Tajik Buddha, now considered to be the largest statue in Central Asia. The museum also features Zoroastrian and Buddhist artifacts.
Khujand is the second largest city in the country and an ancient silk trade center. At the entrance to the fertile Fergana Valley, Khujand is the easternmost town of Great Sándor. As such, it has rich history and many preserved architectural and cultural sites. It also happens to be a popular climbing center in a country that is above 9,000 feet above sea level and has culminations higher than 20,000 feet.
Near the Uzbegistan border, Penjikent lies on a single east road to Samarkand and flourished from the 5th century. The Arabs destroyed the city in the 8th century and the ruins were discovered over the past hundred years. Nowadays, the excavation room has become a commemorative plaque where tourists can visit a medieval citadel, palace, public buildings, residential houses and a necropolis.
Penjikent and Dushanbe lie halfway between emerald pearl Iskander Kul (lake). The lake is at 7,000 altitude between the 4,000 plus peaks of the Fan Mountains, which include many other hiking, fishing or skiing sites in Dushanbe.
The eastern part of the larger Kara Kul lies between tall, bare surfaces that resemble Tibet with their forest atmosphere and their yak tribe. The lake often comes from Kyrgyzstan, west of Os.
Source by Julia Feydman