Nurek

Nurek, on the northern edge of Khatlon Province along the Vakhsh River, owes its existence to the dam of the same name, built between 1961 and 1980. At 300 metres high, it remained the world’s tallest dam until the completion of Jinping-I in China; it is still the tallest earth-fill dam on the planet. The Nurek hydropower plant supplies, through nine turbines, around 70 percent of Tajikistan’s electricity, making it indispensable to the national economy. The town itself, with about 30,000 inhabitants, was built as a model city for the dam workers in a narrow, easy on the eye gorge. High above the town stands the Okno space-tracking radar observatory, a key node in Russia’s space surveillance system. The deep blue, fjord-like reservoir now attracts boat tourists and is a popular weekend destination from Dushanbe.

Nearby cities

Kulob

Kulob is a historical city in southern Tajikistan and a center of the Khatlon region.

Bokhtar

Bokhtar, formerly known as Qurghonteppa, is the capital of the agriculturally rich Khatlon province.

Danghara

Danghara has seen significant investments and urban modernization in recent years.

Farkhor

Farkhor is an agriculturally oriented center near the Afghan border in the Khatlon province.

Vose'

Vose' is a rapidly growing city that benefits from the fertile arable lands of southern Tajikistan.

Yovon

Yovon has developed into a center of modern industry in Tajikistan due to its chemical factories.

Shahrtuz

Shahrtuz is located in the extreme southwest of the country and is known for its hot, almost desert-like climate.

Hamadoni

Hamadoni, formerly Moskovskiy, secures the southern border with Afghanistan as an important outpost.

Levakant

Levakant is home to the largest fertilizer plant in Tajikistan, located on the Vakhsh River.

Qabodiyon

Qabodiyon is known as the discovery site of the famous Oxus Treasure and has a deep ancient history.

History & landmarks

Nurek Dam

One of the highest earth-fill dams in the world on the Vakhsh River.

Childukhtaron

A spectacular valley featuring bizarre rock formations that, according to legend, represent forty girls turned to stone.

Takhti Sangin

An ancient archaeological site near the border with Afghanistan.

Nature

Vakhsh River

One of the most important rivers for hydropower in Central Asia, flowing through deep gorges in the southwest.

Pyanj River

This wild river forms the natural and historic border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan through the Pamir.

More places

Nurek Hydroelectric Power Plant

One of the tallest dams in the world, generating a major portion of Tajikistan's electricity.

Danghara Free Economic Zone

A state-supported industrial area aimed at attracting foreign investment in the textile and construction sectors.

Sangtuda 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant

A Russian-Tajik joint project on the Vakhsh River designed to boost energy capacity during winter.

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Yovon Chemical Plant

An important industrial complex in the Khatlon Region, producing chemicals for domestic and export markets.

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Farkhor Wheat Fields

The endless golden wheat fields in the south near the Afghan border act as the granary of the Khatlon region, essential for the country's…

Hulbuk Palace

The 9th-century palace was the center of the ancient Khatlon region and features intricate stucco work.

Mausoleum of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani

A holy shrine dedicated to the Persian Sufi scholar and poet.

Vakhsh Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant

A chemical enterprise in the Khatlon Region, central to Tajikistan's agricultural production.