Taboshar – The Former Mining Town in the Mountains

Taboshar, now officially part of the city of Istiqlol in northern Tajikistan, is a quiet settlement tucked away in the foothills of the Fergana Valley. Once a bustling Soviet-era mining town known for its uranium extraction, Taboshar today stands as a fascinating mix of history, industry, and mountain scenery.

During the mid-20th century, Taboshar played a significant role in the Soviet nuclear program, supplying uranium for research and energy projects. While mining has long ceased, traces of its industrial past remain in the form of abandoned quarries, old processing facilities, and characteristic Soviet architecture. For history enthusiasts, the town offers a rare glimpse into a closed city of the past, which once was off-limits to outsiders.

Surrounding Taboshar are rolling hills, rocky cliffs, and open steppe landscapes, making it a peaceful place for hiking and photography. The nearby mountains provide clean, crisp air, and the sunsets over the valley are especially spectacular.

The settlement is also known for its Lake Khoja Sangak, a tranquil water reservoir perfect for fishing and quiet picnics. Locals enjoy its calm atmosphere, while the surrounding slopes are dotted with wildflowers in spring.

Today, Taboshar is slowly reinventing itself — from an industrial hub to a place where history, nature, and rural life coexist. While it doesn’t have the bustling tourism of larger Tajik cities, it offers something rarer: the feeling of stepping into a preserved chapter of history, surrounded by untouched landscapes.