Bokhtar, Tajikistan

Bokhtar (formerly known as Kurgan-Tyube) is an agricultural city on the Vaksh River in southwestern Tajikistan. It is the capital of the Viloyati Khatlon region and is located 100km from Dushanbe, with a population of 85,000 (2006), making it the third-largest city in the country. The population fluctuates depending on season (due to Tajik immigrant workers in Russia, Kazakhstan and elsewhere).

It lies along the main north-south route between Dushanbe and Afghanistan, on which a new bridge was built across the Pyanj River in 2006. The city is a major center for the production of cotton and other agricultural crops, having some of the flattest and most fertile land in the nation. It still boasts a diverse population of Tajiks, Uzbeks, Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Kazakhs and others, though the majority of non-Tajiks fled during the civil war. In addition, thousands of workers from the area have migrated to Russia and other countries in search of work, and have contributed much to the local economy.

The area is dominated by gently rolling hills, unusual patches of forest and endless cotton and wheat crops. The town has a phenomenal and bazaar which is huge and overflows with the same ancient central Asian character as this deeply traditional area. Indeed, the town is a striking blend of traditional and modern norms, and though the center of the city is modern and developed, you are still never far from the past; young boys riding donkey carts through the city and elderly people in traditional dress are a common sight.

The city has a bus station, though there are few buses; transport throughout the area and to cities such as Dushanbe, Kulob, Pyanj and Kokhozabad is best accomplished by shared taxi, which can be found at the bus station. Qurghonteppa International Airport serves a handful of cities and Russia and Kazakhstan.

Ajina-Teppe is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Central Asia. The monument is located 12,5 km to the east of the modern city of Qurghonteppa.