Khujand (Tajiki: Хуҷанд, Farsi: خجند, also spelt Khojent and called Leninabad in the Soviet period) is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, and is Tajikistan's second-largest city. Khujand is a cultural hub for the western portion of the Ferghana Valley. During the Soviet Union, Khujand was known as being "Lenin's Favorite City". Whether that was true or just an urban legend is unknown, but a trip to Khujand will certainly be a highlight of your time in Tajikistan.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Khujand is the second largest city in Tajikistan (145,000 inhabitants in 2025), in the Ferghana Valley on both banks of the Syr Darya river, known in classical sources as the Jaxartes. Khujand is an old city. It was probably founded by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE as Alexandria Eschate (Furthest Alexandria), although there are reports of the city predating him. It might also have been the site of the ancient Persian city of Cyropolis, which was a major city in Sogdia whose remains still have not been found.
Khujand is a pretty walkable city, although distances may seem shorter on maps than they actually are (the local running club considers a loop that goes from one bridge to the other and back to be 5K). Both of the main bridges across the Syr Darya in the center of town have sidewalks. Taxis start at С9 per ride for short cross-river drives. The average price for a taxi between the "fortress-to-Panjshanbe" region is С12. Taxis to Somon Bazaar and Avtostantsiya cost С21. Taxis to the airport (which is in Chkalovsk) cost about С30. Some of the taxi companies that operate in Dushanbe also operate in Khujand (like Rakhsh), and can be ordered by a phone call.
For an almost 3000-year-old city, there are very few historical sites left. Still, Khujand has plenty to offer. Here are some places to see in town: 1 Arbob Palace (Дворец культуры «Арбоб»). A government building that was built in the 1950s as headquarters for a Soviet kolkhoz (collective farm). It was modeled after the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg and is where the independence of Tajikistan and flag design were drafted. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Historical Museum of Sughd Region (Осорхонаи таърихии вилояти Суғд), ☏ +992 92 767 8393. Tu-Su 08:00-16:00, closed M.
1 Kanatnaya Doroga (Канатная дорога). daily 10:00-22:00. Ride an aerial tramway between Kamoli Khujand Park and Somoni Park, over the Syr Darya River. It is right next to the Sugdiyon Hotel. С15 for "standard", С20 for "deluxe" (a loveseat instead of a bench). (updated Nov 2023) There may periodically be river cruises along the Syr Darya. It is not recommended to swim in the Syr Darya. The currents can be deceptively strong, and the water is polluted. You might see locals fishing in the river though. The city has many parks that locals hang out at, which are nice for killing a few hours in. Haggle (or try to) with locals in one of the many bazaars.
Locals claim that they have the best food in all of Tajikistan! While you may or may not agree, it certainly is worth trying. The Khujandi version of plov (called "Osh" in the city) is very similar to the Samarkandi style, as opposed to the Dushanbe style found in the southern half of the country. There are numerous small restaurants and cafés throughout the town, as well as street vendors. During Ramadan, expect all of the following to be closed until around Iftar (the sunset prayer), at which point they all become incredibly crowded with locals heading out to eat. Grocery stores and a decent number of the food vendors at the bazaars remain open during the day.
There aren't many nightclubs or bars in Khujand, but alcohol stores can be found on most streets. Unlike in many other countries, grocery stores do not sell alcohol in Tajikistan. Prices are generally slightly cheaper than in countries like the US or most of Europe, but the quality may reflect that. Most "sit-down" style restaurants will serve alcohol, but "fast food" style ones (like burger/shwarma/pizza joints) will not. Being a former Soviet country, Tajikistan is a good place to find Georgian and Moldovan wines, as well as other beverages from the former republics.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Khujand typically sees ~39°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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