Qarshi Travel Guide, Uzbekistan (January 2026 Update)
Qarshi (also Karshi), in southern Uzbekistan’s fertile Qashqadaryo Region, offers a quieter Silk Road stop with Timurid-era mosques, madrasas, and Soviet monuments. Often skipped for flashier cities like Samarkand or Bukhara, it’s ideal for breaking journeys between Bukhara and Termez—or venturing toward Afghanistan.
Ancient roots trace to Sogdian Nakhshab, later Nasaf under Arabs, and “Qarshi” (fort) after Timur’s palace. It thrived as Bukhara Emirate’s second city on caravan routes.
Top 8 Things to Do in Qarshi
Explore on foot in one full day (or leisurely over two), starting central and heading south.
- Odina Mosque & Regional Museum — Stunning 16th-century exterior on a former Mongol site; restored with museum artifacts, jewelry displays, and workshop. Nearby sardoba (covered reservoir) adds charm.
- Rabiya Madrasa — Early 20th-century former women’s school with restored facade; peek inside for shops and interiors.
- Kalizbek Madrasa — Adjacent former school; ask caretaker for interior views.
- Khodjaev Abdul Aziz Madrasa — Across the street, completing the cluster.
- Eski Bazaar — Central old market for daily needs and local vibes.
- Kok Gumbez Mosque — Qarshi’s grand Friday mosque with dazzling blue Timurid tiles—region’s largest.
- Military Museum & Vatanparvlar Park — Displays tanks, jets, helicopter; includes 16th-century bathhouse and pool.
- Great Patriotic War Memorial (WWII) — Striking Soviet-era hilltop monument with eternal flame and vivid stained glass—Central Asia’s largest.
Where to Stay
- Midrange: Grand Star Hotel (clean, good breakfast).
- Higher-End: Hotel Sultan (indoor pool, sauna, fitness—highly rated); Reikartz Qarshi; Hotel Nakhshab.
Best Eats
Chaikhanas serve classics: plov, shashlik, lagman, naan. Chains like EVOS, Chopar Pizza, Les Alies offer variety.
Getting There & Around
- Shared Taxi: Convenient from Bukhara (~2hrs), Shahrisabz (~1hr), Termez (~4hrs) via Nasaf Street station.
- Train: Daily to Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez. Book via Uzbekistan Railways app/site or 12Go.
- Local: Walk central sites; taxis cheap.
Qarshi delivers authentic, low-key Uzbekistan—perfect for Silk Road depth without crowds in 2026!