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Zarafshan
ℹ️Practical info — Zarafshan
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Zarafshan is located in the heart of the desert; always ensure you carry enough drinking water.
- Known as the 'Gold Capital,' be mindful of security and restricted areas near the mining sites.
- Plan your visit for spring or autumn to avoid the extreme heat of the desert summer.
- Evenings are the best time for walking as the desert air becomes much more pleasant.
🍽 Food
A hearty version of the national rice dish, commonly served in local eateries.
Local bakeries in the city center offer excellent, crispy traditional bread.
Very popular among local workers; try it at the grill spots in the city park.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The main hub for daily necessities and regional food products.
Look for traditional silver jewelry in the small shops around the city center.
A green oasis with shaded areas in the middle of the arid desert landscape.
A short walk to the outskirts provides an endless view of the Kyzylkum dunes.
Water temperature…
Zarafshan stands in the heart of the Kyzylkum Desert in Navoiy Province and is one of Uzbekistan's youngest mining cities, founded in 1967 to exploit the world's largest gold deposit at Muruntau. With around 70,000 inhabitants, the city has the feel of an oasis: it was completely planned from scratch, with leafy avenues, modern apartment blocks, and good infrastructure designed to attract miners and engineers from across the Soviet Union. The state-owned Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combine still runs the Muruntau site as one of the world's largest open-pit gold mines, producing around 80 tonnes of gold a year. Uranium is also mined in the surrounding desert. Because of its isolated location and the strategic importance of the mines, Zarafshan remains a so-called 'closed city' with restricted access for foreigners.
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 5 | -1 |
| Rain mm | 9 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 |
Geography
Facts
- The Muruntau mine near Zarafshan is approx. 3.5 km long and 2.5 km wide.
- The city is located at an altitude of 400 meters in the desert.
- Zarafshan was constructed in just a few years starting in 1967.
- Water is delivered via a 250 km long pipeline from the Amu Darya.
- Gold extracted in Zarafshan is among the highest purity in the world.
- The city's population is approximately 85,000 residents.
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Sights in the town Zarafshan (1)
Frequently asked questions
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