Karshi (sometimes written Qarshi) is the capital of the Kashkadarya region in southern Uzbekistan. It is a frontier-soul city: a mix of historic architecture, remains of the Silk Road, traditional bathhouses, centuries-old madrasas and Soviet heritage, all coexisting with the modern life of more than 300,000 inhabitants.
Historically it was known as Nasaf / Nakhshab and was a strategic stop between southern oases and the routes leading towards Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent and beyond. In the 14th century, under the rule of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), it was consolidated as a fortified stronghold with noble residences and a military structure. That is where its current name comes from: “karshi” refers to the fortress/palace.
Today, visiting Karshi means seeing another face of Uzbekistan: less touristic than Khiva (Jiva) or Bukhara, but with genuine local life, real bazaars and heritage that is still used every day, not just shown to visitors.
The best way to understand Karshi is to walk it with a local guide. Many city walks include historic madrasas, old mosques, the famous brick bridge over the Kashkadarya River, and traditional bathhouses (hammams) that still preserve part of their original structure.
There are also urban routes focused on the Soviet era: wide avenues, monumental squares and residential districts that show how the city was transformed into a major administrative and military centre in the 20th century.
If you want to go further, ask about trips into the rural areas of Kashkadarya, where you can still see traditional irrigation systems, cotton fields and villages that live at a different pace, far from the bustle of Tashkent.
Would you like to combine Karshi with Samarkand or head south towards Termez (near the Afghan border and with unique Buddhist remains)? We can help with private transfers with a Spanish-speaking local driver — just contact us via contact.
Today’s Karshi has more than 2,700 years of history under names such as Nasaf or Nakhshab. For centuries it was a strategic stop along the Silk Road, connecting caravans crossing the south of Central Asia towards Persia, Afghanistan and the regions that now form Bukhara and Samarkand.
In the 14th century, the power of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) reinforced the area with new defensive and palatial structures. This fortified complex, known as the “karshi”, gave the city its final name. From then on Karshi was seen as a key military point for controlling the south of the territory.
Later, in modern and Soviet times, Karshi became the regional hub of southern Uzbekistan, both administratively and economically (natural gas, agriculture, transport). You can feel its blend of historic layers everywhere: Timurid, Islamic, Soviet and independent Uzbekistan today.
Walking through the old quarter and then along the Soviet avenues is like a crash course in Central Asian history.
• Brick bridge over the Kashkadarya River: a 16th-century structure built in baked brick that shows the strategic importance of the river as a crossing and control point. It is one of the most recognisable symbols of Karshi.
• Odina Madrasa: considered one of the few historic madrasas dedicated to women in the region. Visiting it reminds us that religious and social education in Central Asia was very complex — and not always visible in the classic tourist routes of Samarkand or Bukhara.
• Historic mosques (such as Kok-Gumbaz and Magzon): known for their blue domes and peaceful courtyards, with prayer halls that combine Timurid aesthetics and local traditions. It is not unusual to see people actually praying there — they are living places, not just “museums”.
• Local mausoleums and funerary complexes: less famous than the monumental mausoleums of Samarkand, but just as important for the spiritual memory of the south of Uzbekistan.
Tip: arrive early in the morning or at sunset to see the golden light on the stone and brick. The warm southern colour is spectacular for photography.
One of Karshi’s hidden gems is its traditional water heritage: ancient public baths (hammams), sardobas (domed reservoirs to store rainwater or canal water) and irrigation systems designed to survive in a dry environment.
These historic hammams were not only places for hygiene, but also for social life, negotiations, political conversations and rituals of purification. Some still preserve vaulted rooms, underfloor heating systems and channels for hot and cold water.
The sardobas, with their thick domes, are real climate engineering: they kept water cool and protected from desert dust and evaporation, something essential in the south of the country, near arid areas on the way to Termez.
Seeing these structures helps you understand how cities like Karshi could thrive in dry regions without the giant rivers that feed, for example, the Fergana Valley around Namangan or Fergana.
Karshi is now an important administrative, economic and educational centre in southern Uzbekistan. Here you find universities, regional government offices and an energy industry linked to natural gas.
The central bazaar is pure, authentic Uzbekistan: hot tandoor bread, meat-filled samsa, fragrant plov, piles of spices and dried fruits, traditional textiles and local handicrafts. It is the perfect place to watch daily life without tourist filters.
Unlike highly heritage-focused cities such as Bukhara or Samarkand, where everything can revolve around UNESCO monuments, in Karshi you feel more of the everyday rhythm: students walking, people leaving work, families taking an evening stroll. It is a real, living Uzbek city.
At night, try shashlik (grilled skewers), hot soups and green tea. Hospitality here is direct: if you smile, say a few words in Russian or Uzbek and show genuine curiosity, it is normal that people want to know where you are from.
Karshi is connected to the rest of Uzbekistan by train, road and, in some seasons, domestic flights.
• From Samarkand:
you can reach Karshi by road heading south, passing through landscapes
that become increasingly dry. It is a great side trip if you want to see a
less touristy city.
• From Tashkent:
there are long-distance trains and internal connections, as well as
domestic flights depending on the season.
• From Termez:
Karshi is a logical stop if you travel through the south, following the
river valley and gradually approaching the historic heartland further north.
Within the city you can move around by local taxi or on foot in the more historic areas. Many sights (bridge, old madrasas, bazaar) can be comfortably covered in half a day with a guide.
Recommendation: if you want to link Karshi with the country’s classic highlights (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (Jiva)), plan a circular itinerary that goes down to the south and then back north. You will get a much broader view of Uzbekistan, not just the postcard version.
The south of Uzbekistan can be very hot in summer and quite dusty. Bring water, sunscreen and light clothing. In winter it gets much colder, so do not underestimate the night chill.
Mosques and active madrasas are still real religious spaces. Dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered), speak softly and ask before taking photos of people at prayer.
As in most of Uzbekistan, Karshi is considered a safe city for travellers. Even so, use common sense: keep an eye on your belongings in crowded bazaar areas, negotiate prices calmly (without confrontation) and always ask before photographing older people.
Want a tailor-made trip that includes Karshi, historic ruins in the south, a stop in Termez and then up to Samarkand or Bukhara? Write to us via contact and we can help with a driver, Spanish-speaking guide and photo stops along the way.
