Pilgrimage to the Past: Exploring Uzbekistan’s Buddhist Relics
Step into the ancient crossroads of Central Asia, a land that once captivated the famed Buddhist pilgrim, Xuan-Zang, during his journey from China to India in the 7th century. His accounts brought to life the grandeur of the Sogdian state, its majestic capital Samarkand, and Termez, a walled city home to 12 Buddhist temples and over 1,000 monks. His vivid descriptions of bustling caravanserais and exotic goods from distant lands also highlighted Chach(modern Tashkent), Kesh (Shakhrisabz), and Toharistan (Bactria).
Today, you can explore some of these awe-inspiring Buddhist heritage sites in Uzbekistan, including Kara-Tepe, Fayaz-Tepe, and Dalverzin-Tepe near Termez. Visitors marvel at the 3rd-century Buddha statues, the 1st-century B.C. brick stupa, the towering 16-meter Zurmala Tower—possibly Uzbekistan’s oldest surviving structure—and vibrant murals showing devotees in Kushan dress. Along with ancient pottery inscribed with Brahmi, Punjabi, Kharoshti, and Bactrian scripts, these relics offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's rich Buddhist past.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Destinations:
Tashkent - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Termez - Tashkent
DAY 1
Arrival in Tashkent airport. Meet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel
Overnight in Tashkent
Tashkent
DAY 2
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Tashkent: Kukeldash Madrassah, Barak-Khan and Kaffal- Shashi mausoleums (16th century),Friday Mosque
Lunch
Afternoon sightseeing: Monument to Courage, Independence Square
Lecture by outside specialist from the Museum of Khamza Fine Arts
Research Centre “The monuments of Buddhism in Uzbekistan”
Dinner
Overnight in Tashkent
Tashkent
DAY 3
Breakfast
Transfer to Samarkand
Lunch
Afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand: Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17th century))
Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand
Tashkent - Samarkand
DAY 4
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Samarkand: Ulugbek observatory (15th century), Shahi-Zinda necropolis (14-15th centuries), Bibi Khanum Mosque (15th century), Local bazaar
Lunch
Afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15th century) – the Timurids’ burial – vault, Ulugbek observatory (15th century),
Lecture by outside specialist from the Samarkand State History, Architecture and Arts Museum “The Great Silk Road and the voyage of Xuan-Zang in Central Asia”
Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand
Samarkand
DAY 5
Breakfast
Transfer to Shakhrisabz
Sightseeing in Shakhriabz: Ak-Sarai Palace (14-15th centuries), Dorut Tilovat complex including Kok-Gumboz Mosque (15th century), Dorus Siadat complex including Jekhangir Mausoleum and Crypt of Tamerlane (14th century)
Lunch
Transfer to Termez
On arrival in Termez accommodation at the hotel
Dinner
Overnight in Termez
Samarkand -Shakhrisabz - Termez
DAY 6
Breakfast
Morning sightseeing in Termez:
Visit to Termez Archeologocal Museum,
Lecture by the expert of the museum “Following the footsteps of Xuan-Zang”
Morning sightseeing” Buddhist Termez”: Monastery complex of Kara-Tepa (2nd-6th centuries), Fayaz-tepa Buddhist temple and monastery (1st-3rd centuries), Zurmala Tower-Buddhist stupa (1st-2nd centuries)
Lunch
Afternoon sightseeing “Medieval Termez-1”: Architectural complex of Al-Hakim – at-Termezi (9th-15th centuries)
Dinner
Overnight in Termez
Termez
DAY 7
Breakfast
Sightseeing “Medieval Termez-2”: Kyrk-Kyz fortress (9th century), Sultan Saodat Ensemble (10th-17th centuries), Kokil Dora Khanagha mausoleum (16thcentury)
Lunch
Flight to Tashkent
Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel
Farewell dinner at the national Uzbek house with folklore show
Overnight in Tashkent
Termez - Tashkent
DAY 8
Early breakfast
Transfer to the airport.
Tashkent