A walk around Penjikent

The name Panjakent is derived from "panj" (five) and "kant" (settlements), meaning "five settlements". Rudaki, the founder of Persian-Tajik literature called "Adam of poets", was born in Panjakent. Around the modern town and in its museum you will find remains of the pre-Islamic, Zoroastrian civilization. The remains of this then important Sogdian trading city on the silk road are just out of town, on a hill overlooking the valley. You can wander around the site unbothered, it is totally unprotected from anything including joyriding cars and broken  bottles such a shame!

The remains of ancient Penjikent 

view from the ancient site to Penjikent today

Most visitors to Penjikent used to come from Samarkand Uzbekistan, but in 2009 the border was closed after government disputes, I cycled to the border to see what was there, this is the closest photo I managed to get as the border guards were not that pleased to see me there! 

Not the most interesting photo in the world but a glimpse of Uzbekistan!

Since the border closure Tourism in Penjikent has suffered as the only way to get here is from Dushanbe a grueling 5 to 6 hours drive, half on untarmaced roads. I have been working with the Zarafshan Tourist Board for the last 6 weeks to find ways of increasing tourism and offering advice to local restaurants and hotels on hospitality, the population here in Penjikent of 30,000 are friendly and very welcoming with a real community feeling about it. Sitting next to the Zarafshan river it is beautiful location if you like things quiet.

I hope that Penjikent and the people here keep pushing to get the border crossing open again as soon as possible and return to a day trip location, because they need it.

I return to Dushanbe next week not knowing my next move, until then I will leave you with some Photos of my wanderings around penjikent.