Kampyrtep, Archaeological site in Uzbekistan
Kampyrtep is an ancient city on a hilltop on the bank of the Amu Darya River in Uzbekistan, roughly 30 kilometers northwest of Termez. The ruins reveal a citadel surrounded by a moat, behind it a residential area with walls and towers, plus unfortified zones beyond the main walls.
The city was founded around 300 BC and served as a port and trading post on the Silk Road. It reached its peak under Kanishka I in the second century AD, when trade and cultural exchange flourished.
The name Kampyrtep refers to a river crossing where traders and travelers converged. Followers of different religions lived together peacefully here - Zoroastrians, Buddhists, and devotees of Greek gods shared spaces and daily life without separation.
The site sits in a natural setting overlooking rivers and plains and is easy to walk through when visiting the ruins. It is practical to visit from Termez, where hotels and museums display artifacts from the city.
Archaeologists found a small terracotta figure depicting Buddha and Ahura Mazda, the chief deities of Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. This unusual blend shows how deeply different religious traditions were intertwined at this location.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
