Termez

Understand

Old Termez lies 12 km west of the modern center. Alexander the Great is credited as the founder of the city, though there is little evidence of his passage. The stuff of the Hellenistic period may still be buried under the layers of the Kushan period, when the settlement grew in importance. Two sites in the vicinity, Shor tepe and Kampyr tepe, seem to have got more importance under Achaemenid and Hellenistic rule. The latter was a fortified city at Alexander's time.

Since from the early days of the unified empire of Kanishka I (127–163), Old Termez, controlling a strategic position on the north bank of the Oxus at its junction with the Surkhan Darya, became an important center on the Silk Road and the caravan trade brought Buddhism' religious precepts along with the distinctive art forms of Gandhara style. In 689 AD the city fell to Arab Muslim invaders, replaced by the 11th century and onwards by Turkic tribes. Karakhanids erected the domed mausoleum over the grave of 9th-century mystic Al Hakim At-Termizi. In 1218 Shah Muhammad II of Khwarezm ordered the execution of Mongol envoys seeking to establish trade relations. As a result Mongol armies crossed the Amur Darya, and, after a two-day siege, razed to the ground Old Termez in their way to Urgench. The city was rebuilt in a new relocation few miles eastwards.

thumb|The Friendship Bridge in Termez connecting Uzbekistan with [[Afghanistan.]]

In the second half of the 19th century, the village of Patta Hissar became impor…

Get around

Isuzu 7-seater marshrutkas. Unmarked but just tell the driver where you're going and they'll either nod or drive on. 10,000 som standard fare.

As in other Uzbek cities, flag down any car as an unofficial taxi and negotiate price beforehand.

See

thumb|Archaeological Museum, Termiz. thumb|Fayoz-Tepe, Buddhist monastery thumb|Mausoleum of Al Hakim At-Termizi Termez is the southernmost city in Uzbekistan which has a lot of historical sights. You can arrange a taxi with your hostel to visit the close sights for 100,000-200,000 som.

Buy

Central bazar near clock tower (centre of modern town). Black market money changers opposite on the same street.

Eat

thumb|upright=1.3|Termez Kampir Tepe (Alexandria Oxiana) end 4th cent BCE-1st cent CE Hellenistic Port Citadel

Drink

Last chance for alcoholic beverages before crossing to Afghanistan (Uzbek customs ban export of alcohol.)

Sleep

Sharq Hotel, English-speaking staff. Clean rooms. Prices range from US$30 to $50 for a double room.

Connect

thumb|upright=1.3|Sultan Saodat Complex Termez and its approach roads have 4G from all Uzbek carriers. As of Sep 2024, 5G has not reached town.

Go next

Hairatan and futher to Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. Denau (Denov), to cross the Tajik border. Bukhara, by shared taxi. You might have to get first to Karchi, then to change of taxi there. 150,000 so‘m. Samarkand, by train (one daily, sleeper; leaves 17:40 and arrives to Samarkand 3:30; about 175,000 so‘m (2025)) or bus (faster; several buses daily).