Ihkashim

Ihkashim, a small village of three streets stretching along the highway in the Panj Valley, is the administrative centre of Ishkashim District.

The village is situated at the border with Afghanistan and its main attraction is the Afghan Bazaar organised on weekends in a neutral territory, on the other side of a bridge across the Panj.

There people from a few nearby villages in both countries sell each other China-manufactured mass consumption goods. It is quite interesting to watch Afghan sellers and buyers in characteristic traditional clothes.

There tourists can purchase authentic pakols (Afghan hats). There is a small cave near Ishkashim, which the villagers would gladly show you.

The village has no hotels, so tourists usually stay at a guest house with a toilet in a separate building in the yard.