Built to commemorate 20 years of independence, the world's second tallest flagpole stands at 165m and is the centrepiece of Dushanbe's central ensemble of parks, fountains and grand new civic buildings including the adjacent Palace of Nations. The Bayrak (as it is locally known as) held the record as the world's tallest flagpole between 2010 and 2014 before Jeddah's 170m flagpole knocked it into second place, but it is still a crowning glory of a city that some refer to as the Paris of Central Asia.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.16 MILES
Extensive Rudaki Park, with its beautiful canopy of mature trees, offers a series of pathways through flower gardens and alongside lakes and fountains…
0.44 MILES
One of Dushanbe’s most impressive modern monuments, this statue celebrates the 10th-century founder of the Samanid dynasty. With an art-deco quality to…
1.05 MILES
Sharing the same complex as the National Museum of Antiquities, this small museum houses an exquisite collection of traditional Tajikistan clothing …
12.12 MILES
Pictured on the 20TJS banknote and just 30km west of Dushanbe, the remains of this 18th-century fort make for an interesting day trip from the capital…
0.27 MILES
Beneath an impressive arc of blue mosaic stars, the nation's most revered poet, Rudaki, is honoured here at the heart of the central park named after him…
0.21 MILES
Tajikistan's national museum is housed in an impressive modern building with an elliptical roof and giant atrium. The collection encompasses three main…
National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
1.03 MILES
Looking almost as aged as some of the exhibits it houses, this dusty old museum, with its threadbare carpets and uneven floors, has a certain charm about…
0.53 MILES
Hidden within a private family compound behind unmarked green gates is a precious collection of antique musical instruments originating from across…
Nearby Dushanbe attractions
0.16 MILES
Extensive Rudaki Park, with its beautiful canopy of mature trees, offers a series of pathways through flower gardens and alongside lakes and fountains…
0.2 MILES
This grand modern building, dubbed locally as the White House, is the official seat of the president of Tajikistan. Although closed to the public, its…
0.21 MILES
Tajikistan's national museum is housed in an impressive modern building with an elliptical roof and giant atrium. The collection encompasses three main…
0.27 MILES
Beneath an impressive arc of blue mosaic stars, the nation's most revered poet, Rudaki, is honoured here at the heart of the central park named after him…
0.35 MILES
Tajikistan’s Persian past is invoked in the facade of the Writers’ Union Building. Adorned with sculpted-stone figures of Sadruddin Ayni, Omar Khayam,…
0.36 MILES
Crowning the fountain-filled thoroughfare outside the National Library, this national monument was built to commemorate Tajikistan's independence. Cast…
0.44 MILES
Opened in 2011 and constructed to resemble an open book, this US$40 million archive is reputed to be Central Asia's biggest library. It makes an…
0.44 MILES
One of Dushanbe’s most impressive modern monuments, this statue celebrates the 10th-century founder of the Samanid dynasty. With an art-deco quality to…