Karon Old City
Man-made, Historical building, Architectural site
The ruins of the ancient town of Karon town is located in Ruzvai village of Darvoz district of GBAO at a distance of 8.5 km from the district centre. The remains of the historic city of Karon are located at an altitude of 1500-1700 meters above sea level, 1000 meters away from the village of Ruzvai at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level on the mountain Zogik. The Panj River (Oxus River) flows east, south, and west of the site, and is protected on the north by impassable high mountains. Thus, the city of Karon is a naturally inaccessible and protected area. Due to its size and grandeur, scholars speculate that in the past it was a royal city and a place of nobility, where the king, his relatives, troops, demons and servants lived.
The ruins of the ancient town of Karon town is located in Ruzvai village of Darvoz district of GBAO at a distance of 8.5 km from the district centre. The remains of the historic city of Karon are located at an altitude of 1500-1700 meters above sea level, 1000 meters away from the village of Ruzvai at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level on the mountain Zogik. The Panj River (Oxus River) flows east, south, and west of the site, and is protected on the north by impassable high mountains. Thus, the city of Karon is a naturally inaccessible and protected area. Due to its size and grandeur, scholars speculate that in the past it was a royal city and a place of nobility, where the king, his relatives, troops, demons and servants lived.
Travelling to the Site
The ancient town of Karon can be easily reached from the flourishing town of Qalaikhumb, which is the centre of the Darwoz district. Previously Darwaz was connected to Dushanbe via the road that was constructed in the 1940s in the Soviet period. This road passes the beautiful hills of Saghirdastht going further through Tawildara district to Dushanbe. This road was closed for almost 6 months from late autumn to early spring. Hence GBAO remained cut and isolated from Dushanbe. Furthermore, the road was damaged during the civil war in Tajikistan and was not repaired.
A new road connecting Darwoz district to Kulob and Dushanbe was constructed when Tajikistan become independent. The condition of the road from Dushanbe to Kulob and Qalai Khumb is improved significantly with a huge investment by the government of Tajikistan and development partners. Visitors travelling on this new highway from Dushanbe to Darwoz would now enjoy passing through well-built tunnels nearby the Norak reservoir and power station; traversing through the vast steps of Danghara; passing the ancient citadel of Hulbuk, the city of Kulob; climbing Shurobod hill, and passing the high and rocky path of Guldara gorge. It would roughly take 8 hours for visitors to reach Darwoz from Dushanbe. Travellers can either drive themselves or hire a shared taxi, (usual jeeps) leaving to Khorog.
From the centre of Darwaz visitors can head east towards Khorog, wherein 5 km away they can find a small wooden sign directing them to the hills. It is on this hill that the recently discovered and the advertised town of Karon is situated. Tourists visiting the GBAO via Osh- Khorog route can travel to Darwoz from Khorog and reach the Karon city after driving for 6 hours on the most damaged sections of the Pamir Highway.
A new road connecting Darwoz district to Kulob and Dushanbe was constructed when Tajikistan become independent. The condition of the road from Dushanbe to Kulob and Qalai Khumb is improved significantly with a huge investment by the government of Tajikistan and development partners. Visitors travelling on this new highway from Dushanbe to Darwoz would now enjoy passing through well-built tunnels nearby the Norak reservoir and power station; traversing through the vast steps of Danghara; passing the ancient citadel of Hulbuk, the city of Kulob; climbing Shurobod hill, and passing the high and rocky path of Guldara gorge. It would roughly take 8 hours for visitors to reach Darwoz from Dushanbe. Travellers can either drive themselves or hire a shared taxi, (usual jeeps) leaving to Khorog.
From the centre of Darwaz visitors can head east towards Khorog, wherein 5 km away they can find a small wooden sign directing them to the hills. It is on this hill that the recently discovered and the advertised town of Karon is situated. Tourists visiting the GBAO via Osh- Khorog route can travel to Darwoz from Khorog and reach the Karon city after driving for 6 hours on the most damaged sections of the Pamir Highway.