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Khodjeyli
ℹ️Practical info — Khodjeyli
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The main highlight is the Mizdakhan Necropolis; hire a local driver from Nukus to get there, as public transport is sparse.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes when exploring the necropolis, as the terrain is dusty, rocky, and uneven.
- Visit the ruins of Gyaur Kala (Fortress of Infidels) located just adjacent to Mizdakhan for a fascinating glimpse into Zoroastrian history.
- There is very little shade at the historical sites, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
- Modest dress is recommended when visiting the mausoleums and active pilgrimage sites at Mizdakhan out of respect for local worshippers.
🍽 Food
A hearty dish of meat and pasta; look for simple local chaikhanas (teahouses) in the town center.
Well-suited for a quick snack, buy these meat or pumpkin-filled pastries from street-side tandoor ovens.
Enjoyed after meals in any local eatery to help cope with the dry climate.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Visit the town's central market for fresh produce, dried fruits, and nuts to take as snacks for your excursions.
While limited in Khodjeyli itself, you might find some local textiles; otherwise, save souvenir shopping for nearby Nukus.
Find a quiet spot on the hills of the necropolis to take in the vastness of the surrounding desert.
A short drive from the town, the riverbanks offer a tranquil contrast to the arid landscapes.
Water temperature…
Khodjeyli lies in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, about 15 kilometres west of the capital Nukus, on the lower Amu Darya. With around 75,000 inhabitants, the town is a regional administrative centre and a major railway junction between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Nearby stands the archaeological site of Mizdakhan, a more than 2,000-year-old necropolis featuring numerous mausoleums, a caravanserai, and the remains of a medieval settlement; it is regarded as one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Central Asia. Economically the town relies on cotton processing, food industries, and the transit of natural gas and goods. Like the whole of Karakalpakstan, Khodjeyli suffers severely from the Aral Sea crisis: salinisation, water shortages, and health problems present major challenges to its people. The town has a multi-ethnic population of Karakalpaks, Uzbeks, Turkmens, and Kazakhs.
- Location: Uzbekistan
- Top sights: Dvorets Kul'tury · Rynok stroitel'nykh materialov "Dzhakhangir" · Xojeli Diyxan Bazarı
- Nearby: Nukus (18 km)
- Population: ~67.800 (2025)
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 | -4 | -2 | 7 | 15 | 23 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 21 | 12 | 3 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 7 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 8 |
Geography
Facts
- Khodjeyli is located approximately 15 kilometers west of Nukus.
- The ancient Mizdakhkan complex covers an area of over 200 hectares.
- The city was officially established and granted city status in 1926.
- It serves as a key transit point on the railway line to Turkmenistan.
- The city is a significant center for the textile and garment industry.
- Khodjeyli is among the oldest continuously inhabited urban sites in Karakalpakstan.
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Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Khodjeyli (3)
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