Tourist Places to Visit in Zarafshan, Uzbekistan, Asia

Tourist Places to Visit in Zarafshan, Uzbekistan, Asia

Zarafshan a city with a population of over 65,000 is situated in the Kyzylkum desert and is at the core of Navoiy Province in Uzbekistan. Water to the city is supplied through a 221 km long pipeline from the river Amudarya. The coordinates to Zarafshan is 41⁰36’29” N and 64⁰13’35” E and is 216 km from the capital city of Navoiy province. Known as “the gold capital of Uzbekistan” it has an open pit mine at Muruntau. The third biggest river in Uzbekistan is the Zarafshan River and has the water is high in salinity. Zarafshan has hot summer with temperatures touching 360 C and cold winters with temperatures dropping to -10 C.

Fishing and Mining are the major occupation of the people of Zarafshan. Tourists can have a pleasant vacation at Zarafshan from the month October to April.

History of Zarafshan

During the soviet rule in Zarafshan gold was found in abundance at a place named Murantau. Later in the year, from 1995 to 2006, the gold mine was owned by a U.S based company, named Newmont Mining Corporation of Denver, Colorado. It was a direct foreign investment. At present, this gold mine and its refinery unit is looked after by Navoi Mining & Metallurgy Combinat’s Central Mining Administration.

Tourist Places in Zarafshan

Kyaryzes

Built in the dry lands is a system of wells and galleries from which water from below the surface of the earth is brought to the open with use of gravitational force of the earth. This amazing site of interest is situated at a distance of 239 km from Zarafshan city.

Caravanserai Rabat Malik

Founded in the 11^th century, Caravanserai Rabat Malik is situated along the Great Silk Road which was frequently visited by merchants and traders during ancient times. Many products of importance such as clothing, food items and ornaments from faraway places were traded at this very place. Caravanserai Rabat Malik is 222 km from Zarafshan city.

Sarmyshsaya

Sarmyshsaya is an excavated archeological site found among the valley of Tau located towards southeast of Zarafshan at a distance of 30 km. Tourist can visit this site which has ancient cave paintings and a gallery exhibiting many structures of rock art.

Swimming Point Lake

Located at 2.6 km from Zarafshan city, Swimming Point Lake is a public spot with amazing natural wonders thriving besides the Lake. Tourists can fell rejuvenate among the lush green surroundings besides the swimming point lake.

Means of Commutation to Zarafshan

Airway:

Zarafshan Airport operates only domestic flights to places such as Navoi and Tashkent on daily basis.

Railway:

There are rail services to Zarafshan from Yangi. Zarafshan railway station is situated 10 km away from Zarafshan city. One can hire a shared taxi or board a bus to reach the city, Zarafshan.

Roadway:

All roads from Zarafshan are linked to places within the country, Uzbekistan. There is a bus available at Bhukara and Nukus to Zarafshan and the travel time taken is six hours. Shared taxis are also available from Gijdavon, Nukus and Navoi.

Accommodation Options in and around Zarafshan

Hotels such as three star and four star with luxurious air conditioned and spacious rooms are available in and around Zarafshan at a cost varying from $180 to $210 per day. Facilities such as outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, on-site dining and live entertainment, spa, etc are available in three star and four star hotel. There are economy class hotels in and around Zarafshan with single rooms rented at $60 and double room rented at $80 per day and the list of the best hotels is as follows: