Historical Site

Observatory of Shorbulak

An old soviet observatory in the middle of desertic steppes of Eastern Pamir in Tajikistan
Nomad's Land

Gorno-Badakhshan • Tajikistan • 4300 m

Shorbulak Observatory is one of the world’s highest astronomical sites, perched at over 4,300 m in the remote mountains near Murghab, in the Tajik Pamirs. Built during the Soviet era for space and infrared research, its dry, cloudless skies made it an ideal place for observing stars and cosmic rays. Though now abandoned, the observatory remains accessible and fascinating to visit: rusted domes, old telescopes, and crumbling Soviet-era buildings stand silent against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Reaching Shorbulak requires an off-road detour from the Pamir Highway, but the panoramic views, eerie atmosphere, and glimpse into Cold War science make it well worth the trip. From the site, you can see as far as Muztag-Ata and Kongur, massive peaks across the Chinese border. Shorbulak is a unique destination—part scientific relic, part high-mountain adventure.

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