Shirkent National Park, National park in Tursunzoda District, Tajikistan.
Shirkent National Park is a protected area in the Hissar Mountains that displays varied landscapes from dry valleys to snowy peaks. The vegetation shifts with elevation, transitioning from scrubland to alpine meadows and mountain forests.
The park was established in 1991 following Tajikistan's independence to protect the natural environment. Its creation aimed to preserve important research sites and the region's biological variety.
The park's location near ancient Silk Road routes reflects the historical connection between local Tajik communities and Persian trading traditions.
Visitors reach the park through organized tours departing from Dushanbe. Travel by taxi or shared minibus takes about two hours from the capital.
The area holds ancient dinosaur and pterodactyl footprints at several locations from prehistoric times. Paleontologists have also discovered a newly identified species called Macropodosaurs Gravis here.
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