Termez

Termez or Termiz is a city in Surkhandarya, Uzbekistan. Termiz is along the border with Afghanistan (the Amu Darya or Oxus river) and was a major supply hub for the NATO war operations there. It is also a busy transport hub for goods entering and leaving Afghanistan due to the Friendship Bridge, built by the Soviet Union.

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.



In the second half of the 19th century, the village of Patta Hissar became important when it was made a dock for the Russian steamships on the Amu-Darya. In 1898 Termez was annexed by the Russian crown.

By train
Termez's main lies north of the city center. There is a night train from Tashkent every second day, leaving Tashkent Pass Csentr. at 21:00 and arriving next day at 11:40.

By bus
Coming from Afghanistan, it is possible to take a shared taxi or drive to Hairatan on the other side of the river and then walk across the border. The is in the city centre at the western end of Navoi street.

The first half of the Gozar-Termez leg of the road from Bukhara is of poor quality and should not be underestimated. It's not uncommon to see multiple accidents on this stretch. The second half is easier and the views are some of the most breathtaking in Uzbekistan. Truckers driving these roads often don't know the area and take the corners far too fast.

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
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.

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

Connect


Post office by the central clock tower. Small internet kiosk across the street (near taxi rank).

Go next

 * Haimartan, thence 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 som.