Kokhi Navruz (Кохи Наврӯз, or Navruz Palace) is a magnificent and opulent cultural and entertainment center in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. While its name translates to “Palace of Navruz” and it has the grandeur of a royal residence, it was originally conceived as one of the largest teahouses (choikhona) in the world. Completed in 2014, this stunning complex is a modern masterpiece that showcases the very best of traditional Tajik arts and craftsmanship on an epic scale. It serves as a major national symbol, a venue for international conferences and official events, and a breathtaking attraction that blends cultural heritage with modern luxury.

Name and Address

• Name: Kokhi Navruz (Navruz Palace).
• Address: Located on Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It is situated on the shore of Komsomol Lake (now Youth Lake) in the heart of the city.

How to Get There

As a major landmark in the center of Dushanbe, Kokhi Navruz is very easy to access.

• By Car/Taxi (Recommended): The easiest way to visit is by taxi, which is affordable and readily available throughout Dushanbe. Any driver will know the location.
• By Bus: Several city bus and trolleybus routes pass along Ismoili Somoni Avenue, with stops near the palace complex.
• Visitor Tip: A visit to the interior of the palace requires a guided tour, which can be arranged at the entrance. The tour is essential to see the magnificent halls inside. The surrounding park and fountains are also beautiful to walk through, especially in the evening.

Landscape and Architecture

The architecture of Kokhi Navruz is a spectacular display of modern construction lavishly decorated with traditional Tajik and Persian artistic techniques.

• Palatial Complex: The main building is a grand, multi-story structure with a massive central dome and four large blue-tiled corner domes, giving it the appearance of a classic Central Asian palace. The entire complex covers an area of about 40,000 square meters.
• Opulent Interior Halls: The interior is the main attraction and is composed of several lavishly decorated halls, each with a unique theme and style. The decoration involved thousands of artisans and utilizes a breathtaking array of traditional crafts:
  • Ganch: Intricate, hand-carved plasterwork covering walls and ceilings.
  • Wood Carving: Exquisite, deeply carved wooden ceilings, columns, and doors.
  • Mosaics and Pietra Dura: Walls and floors are adorned with intricate mosaics and semi-precious stone inlays.
  • Painting: Ceilings and walls feature delicate, hand-painted floral and geometric patterns, often using gold leaf.
• Key Halls: The complex includes several major halls, such as the grand Didor Hall for banquets, the Zarandar Hall decorated with gold, and the Arzhang Hall featuring stunning mosaics. It also contains cinemas, a bowling alley, and restaurants.
• Park and Fountains: The palace is set within a beautifully landscaped park with extensive gardens, fountains, and pavilions, all situated on the shore of a large city lake.

What Makes It Famous

Kokhi Navruz is famous for its breathtaking opulence and for being a monumental showcase of modern Tajik national identity expressed through traditional craftsmanship.

• “The World’s Grandest Teahouse”: It is renowned for its origin story as a teahouse (choikhona), which grew in scale and ambition during construction to become a grand national palace. It is arguably the most ornate and largest “teahouse” ever built.
• A Showcase of Tajik Craftsmanship: Its primary claim to fame is the sheer quality and scale of the traditional Tajik arts on display. The palace is a living museum of wood carving, ganch plasterwork, mosaic art, and decorative painting, all executed by the country’s finest masters.
• A Symbol of Modern Tajikistan: The palace is a powerful symbol of the modern, independent nation of Tajikistan, demonstrating national pride and the revival of traditional arts on a monumental scale.
• A Major Diplomatic Venue: It serves as a primary venue for hosting international summits, conferences, and official state receptions, making it a center of modern Tajik diplomacy.

Differences from Other Wonders

Kokhi Navruz is a unique wonder that stands in stark contrast to Tajikistan’s other historical sites.

• A Modern Palace vs. an Ancient Fortress: Kokhi Navruz is a 21st-century creation. This is completely different from the ancient, historical ruins of the Hissar Fortress or the pre-Mongol Mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad. It represents the present and future of Tajikistan, not its distant past.
• Celebration of Art vs. Military History: The purpose of Kokhi Navruz is to celebrate art, culture, and diplomacy. This is a very different function from a site like Hissar Fortress, which was a center of military and administrative power.
• Opulence and Luxury vs. Austere Ruins: The experience at Kokhi Navruz is one of overwhelming opulence, with its glittering gold, intricate carvings, and polished stone. This is a world away from the austere, earthen beauty of archaeological sites like Ajina-Tepa or the rugged ruins of ancient fortresses.