Qarshi Travel Guide: 8 Things to do in Qarshi, Uzbekistan

Updated November 2026, Qarshi Travel Guide: 8 Things to do in Qarshi, Uzbekistan was originally published in October 2021

Qarshi is one of Uzbekistan’s more overlooked historic cities. Located in the country’s southern Qashqadaryo Region, it rarely makes it onto the standard tourist itinerary, with most travelers sticking to the familiar Silk Road route between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

I ended up visiting Qarshi while looking for somewhere to break up the journey between Bukhara and Termez, before continuing south toward the Afghan border. What I found was a surprisingly interesting city with historic mosques, Islamic architecture, old madrasas, bustling bazaars, and some unusual Soviet-era monuments.

Qarshi has a long history stretching back well over two millennia. It was historically known as Nakhshab and later Nasaf following the Arab conquest. During the 14th century, the city acquired its present name after the Chagatai ruler Kebek Khan established a palace here. The name Qarshi is commonly understood to mean palace or fortress.

Situated in a fertile oasis along the Qashqadaryo River, Qarshi eventually became the second-largest city of the Emirate of Bukhara and an important stop on historic caravan routes connecting Bukhara with Balkh.

Today, Qarshi offers a different perspective on Uzbekistan’s history, away from the crowds of the country’s better-known Silk Road destinations. If you’re traveling through southern Uzbekistan, it’s well worth making time to explore.

In this Qarshi travel guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Qarshi, where to stay, what to eat, and how to get there by shared taxi or train.

Start here: The Uzbekistan Travel Guide
…and pick up a copy of Bradt’s Uzbekistan Guidebook

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Where to Stay in Qarshi

Qarshi has a selection of local hotels, ranging from simple budget accommodation to more comfortable midrange and higher-end properties. I recommend staying relatively close to the city center so you can easily reach Qarshi’s main historical attractions.

Midrange: Grand Star Hotel was where I stayed in Qarshi. Located not far from the WWII Monument. Rooms were clean and the included breakfast was pretty decent.

Splurge: Hotel Sultan and Hotel Nakhshab both come recommended for those looking for a higher-end experience in Qarshi. 

8 Things to Do in Qarshi 

Wondering what to do in Qarshi? Despite being a relatively small city, Qarshi has several interesting historical attractions, including centuries-old mosques, Islamic madrasas, traditional bazaars, and unusual Soviet-era monuments.

The good news is that most of the main Qarshi attractions are relatively close together, making it easy to explore the city on foot.

I’ve arranged the following eight things to do in Qarshi geographically, starting around the historic city center and gradually working south toward the Great Patriotic War Memorial. You can also follow the route in reverse.

You can comfortably see the main attractions in Qarshi in one day. However, if you’d rather take your time, particularly when visiting the museums and historical buildings, you could easily spread the itinerary over two days.

Odina Mosque & Regional Museum and Sardoba

Odina Mosque is one of the most historically significant buildings in Qarshi’s old town. Its origins date back to the late 14th century, when Amir Timur is traditionally credited with commissioning the mosque during his visit to the city.

The mosque was built on the site of the former palace of Kebek Khan, which was later used as a prison during the Soviet period. The historic building has since been restored and now houses the Qashqadaryo Regional Museum, making it an interesting place to learn more about the history and culture of southern Uzbekistan.

Inside, you’ll find displays covering the region’s history, archaeology, and traditional crafts. I particularly enjoyed seeing the locally made jewelry and visiting the workshop where artisans create contemporary interpretations of traditional designs.

Don’t Miss the Sardoba

Just outside Odina Mosque, look for the circular Sardoba, a traditional covered water reservoir.

Historically, sardobas were important features of Central Asian settlements and caravan routes, providing a protected water supply in an otherwise dry landscape. The reservoir here would have supplied water for the mosque, including for ablutions before prayer.

It’s a small feature, but worth stopping to see while exploring the Odina Mosque complex.

Don’t miss Uzbekistan’s other southern city of Termez

Rabiya Madrasa (Bekmir Madrasa)

Rabiya Madrasa, also known as Bekmir Madrasa, is one of several historic Islamic educational buildings surrounding the old town of Qarshi.

The madrasa was constructed in the early 20th century, reportedly between 1904 and 1915, alongside the nearby Kalizbek and Khodjaev Abdul Aziz madrasas.

Unlike the larger and more famous madrasas you’ll find in Samarkand and Bukhara, these buildings are relatively modest in scale. However, they offer an interesting glimpse into the religious and educational architecture of Qarshi during the late Emirate of Bukhara period.

I was able to visit the interior of Rabiya Madrasa during my visit. A couple of small shops were operating inside, giving the building a little more life than you might expect from an old religious school.

If you find the entrance open, it’s worth taking a look around the couple of shops inside.

Kalizbek Madrasa

Kalizbek Madrasa is another historic Islamic school located near Rabiya Madrasa in Qarshi’s old town.

Like its neighboring madrasas, Kalizbek Madrasa is no longer used as a functioning religious school. The building has undergone more recent restoration, although its original architectural character remains visible.

I wasn’t able to get inside during my visit, but if you can track down the caretaker, it may be worth asking whether you can have a look around the interior.

The three nearby madrasas make for an interesting little architectural walk through Qarshi’s historic center.

Khodjaev Abdul Aziz Madrasa

Across the road from the other two madrasas, Khodjaev Abdul Aziz Madrasa is the third historic Islamic school worth visiting in this part of Qarshi.

The madrasa sits beside a small park, slightly separated from the cluster around Rabiya and Kalizbek madrasas by a relatively busy road.

Like the other historic madrasas in Qarshi, it no longer functions as a religious school. Its exterior is worth a look while exploring the surrounding old town, particularly if you’re interested in the region’s traditional Islamic architecture.

If you’re visiting all three madrasas, it’s easy to see them together without going far out of your way.

Interested in more Silk Road architecture, madrasas, and mosques? Don’t miss Bukhara

Eski Bazaar

Eski Bazaar, which translates roughly to Old Bazaar, is a traditional market in the center of Qarshi.

Located just across Karimov Street from Odina Mosque and the historic madrasas, it’s an easy stop to incorporate into a walking tour of the old town.

Like bazaars throughout Uzbekistan, Eski Bazaar is a good place to get a feel for everyday local life. You can browse the stalls, pick up everyday essentials, and see some of the produce and goods traded in this part of the Qashqadaryo Region.

It’s not necessarily the most monumental attraction in Qarshi, but I always think a visit to a local market adds something to the experience of exploring a city.

Kok Gumbez

Kok Gumbez Mosque, also written as Ko’k Gumbaz, is one of the most recognizable historical buildings in Qarshi. Its name translates to Blue Dome, referring to the striking blue-tiled dome that crowns the mosque.

Located a short walk southeast of the Odina Mosque complex, Kok Gumbez is Qarshi’s historic Friday Mosque and one of the most important examples of Islamic architecture in the city.

The mosque dates back to 1590-1591 and was constructed during the reign of Abdullah Khan II of the Shaybanid dynasty. An inscription above the entrance identifies the ruler and construction date, making this one of the more firmly documented historical monuments in Qarshi.

The exterior features intricate decorative tilework and a prominent blue dome. While it might not have the same scale as the monumental religious buildings in Samarkand, I thought it was a particularly interesting example of the architectural traditions found throughout southern Uzbekistan.

Personally, I also found that some of Qarshi’s religious architecture shared similarities with historic buildings I’d seen in Balkh and Herat across the border in Afghanistan.

Starting in the capital? Here’s everything you need to plan a stay in Tashkent

Military Museum & Vatanparvlar Park

Vatanparvlar Park is a great place to visit in Qarshi, particularly if you’re interested in military history and Soviet-era architecture.

The park features an assortment of military aircraft and equipment, including a Yak-40 aircraft, helicopters, tanks, and fighter jets displayed outdoors.

During my visit, a military museum was under construction within the park. If you’re visiting Qarshi, it’s worth checking whether the museum has since opened and what exhibitions are currently accessible.

There is also a historic 16th-century bathhouse within the park grounds, along with a more modern swimming pool.

Even if military history isn’t your thing, the collection of aircraft and military equipment makes this a rather different stop from the mosques and madrasas in Qarshi’s old town.

Great Patriotic War Memorial

Last but certainly not least, the Great Patriotic War Memorial is one of the most unusual attractions in Qarshi.

Dedicated to those who fought and died during World War II, known in Uzbekistan and other former Soviet republics as the Great Patriotic War, the memorial is a large Soviet-era monument located in the southern part of the city.

A series of walkways leads toward the main memorial building, which sits atop a raised platform. Its distinctive tower is topped with a red star, while an eternal flame burns inside the monument.

However, what makes this memorial particularly interesting is its interior.

I’d strongly recommend going inside if you can. Large stained-glass panels illuminate the interior, depicting scenes of everyday life, agricultural workers harvesting crops, and soldiers departing to fight in the war.

The contrast between the Soviet monumental architecture and the colorful stained glass is particularly striking.

There is reportedly a caretaker who has keys to access an upper level of the memorial, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the stained-glass panels. I visited twice but unfortunately didn’t manage to find him.

If you’re interested in seeing the upper level, I’d recommend asking a local tour operator or someone at your hotel whether they can help track down the caretaker.

Want more Silk Road history? Check out Samarkand

Best Restaurants in Qarshi

Qarshi has plenty of local chaikhanas (teahouses), small restaurants, and casual eateries serving traditional Uzbek and Central Asian food.

If you’re visiting Qarshi, you’ll have no trouble finding familiar Uzbek dishes such as plov, shashlik, lagman, shorbo, and freshly baked naan.

A traditional chaikhana is a particularly good place to stop for a leisurely meal and a pot of green tea. These teahouses are an important part of everyday social life throughout Uzbekistan, often serving as gathering places for locals.

Here are a few traditional Uzbek dishes worth trying while you’re in Qarshi:

• Qarshi plov: Try the local variations of Uzbekistan’s famous rice dish, typically prepared with meat, carrots, onions, and spices.
• Shashlik: Grilled skewers of marinated meat, commonly served with raw onions and bread.
• Lagman: Hand-pulled noodles served with meat and vegetables in a flavorful broth or stir-fried preparation.
• Shorbo: A traditional soup typically made with meat, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables.
• Non: Freshly baked Uzbek bread, often served alongside almost every meal.

How to get to Qarshi

Qarshi is located in southern Uzbekistan, approximately 160 km southeast of Bukhara and around 140 km southwest of Samarkand by road, depending on the route.

The city is relatively easy to reach from other major destinations in Uzbekistan, with both trains and shared taxis connecting Qarshi to surrounding cities.

I personally visited Qarshi between Bukhara and Termez, arriving and departing by shared taxi. Below is everything you need to know about getting to Qarshi by road or rail.

By Shared Taxi

Shared taxis are one of the most convenient ways to get to Qarshi, particularly if you’re traveling from nearby cities such as Bukhara, Shahrisabz, or Termez.

Unlike scheduled buses, shared taxis generally depart once all the seats have been filled. You can usually find them at designated taxi stands or bus stations, depending on the destination.

The main bus and shared taxi station in Qarshi is located on Nasaf Street, approximately 5 km southwest of the city center.

Common shared taxi routes include:

• Bukhara to Qarshi: Approximately 2 hours.
• Shahrisabz to Qarshi: Approximately 1 hour.
• Termez to Qarshi: Approximately 4 hours.

Travel times depend on road conditions, traffic, and the number of stops along the way.

When arranging a shared taxi, confirm the destination and price with the driver before departing. If you’re traveling alone, you may have to wait for additional passengers to fill the vehicle or pay for the remaining seats.

I found shared taxis particularly convenient for traveling through southern Uzbekistan, especially when connecting destinations that aren’t as well served by trains.

By Train

Qarshi also has a railway station with connections to other parts of Uzbekistan.

The train is a particularly useful option if you’re traveling between Qarshi and Tashkent, as scheduled services operate along this route.

Uzbekistan Railways publishes train schedules and sells tickets through its official website and app. You can search available departures, check prices, and book tickets online.

I’d recommend booking ahead when traveling on popular routes, particularly if you’re hoping to take one of Uzbekistan’s faster trains.

Is Qarshi Worth Adding to Your Uzbekistan Itinerary?

Qarshi might not have the monumental architecture of Samarkand or the beautifully preserved old town of Bukhara, but that’s precisely what makes it an interesting stop.

I initially visited simply because I needed somewhere to break up the journey between Bukhara and Termez. I ended up finding a city with a fascinating history, some impressive Islamic architecture, and a few unexpected sights that made the detour worthwhile.

If you’re traveling through southern Uzbekistan, I’d recommend setting aside at least a day to explore Qarshi. It’s a chance to see another side of the country and experience a historic city that doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as its better-known neighbors.

And sometimes, those are the places that end up being the most interesting.

Have any questions about visiting Qarshi?

Ask in the comments sections below. 

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