botanical garden and zoo

Botanical Garden in Dushanbe is a spread-out forest with plenty of greenery. It is not a botanical garden in the sense that a typical botanical garden would categorize various kinds of plants and trees giving their scientific names and describe a bit about the properties. This place is more like a nice large green area where people go for morning walks. Indeed there are various gymnasium kind of equipment on roads in the Botanical garden that are for use by the morning walkers. This place is also used by the newly wed couples. We saw many such couples fully dressed in formal white wedding dresses as it seems it a custom in Dushanbe that such couples walk around with professional photographers in tow taking videos and photographs. I however truly enjoyed visiting some sample houses that have been built in the Botanical garden depicting the traditional homes in Pamir mountains. This house is certainly worth visiting.

Probably the right time of the year to be here, it was warm, the gardens were well kept and nicely laid out. It was interesting to visit a typical house to us show how people lived.

Big park with floral gardens and shade trees that locals use. On Saturdays there are many wedding couples having pictures taken. Sometimes there are local performers on the stage too, or some vendors with local handicraft, food, etc.

It is not really a Botanical Garden, more an amusement park with picnic areas for families and weddings. The trees were very old, the green house was not functioning any more

Lovely park but with just a few trees named in this huge park it hardly deserves the name Botanical Gardens. No food on site so bring a picnic - you can buy drinks at a few locations on site. The main pal house is a sad affair.

A lovely spot to spend a few hours. the gardens are well maintained, and there are lots of paths to wander around and enjoy the surroundings. I went on a Saturday, so there were multiple wedding parties having their photos done, but there is plenty of space to move away from them and just enjoy the gardens. I did not visit the Zoo, so cannot comment on that.

We loved hanging out in this green oasis from the unbearable late afternoon July heat. The park attracts joggers and strollers alike. Shaded by tall beautiful trees, one large section of the park displays endless outdoor gym equipment, providing a quick exercise opportunity.

I would recommend to visit the Botanical garden. You may enjoy its trees and decorations. But I would not recommend to visit the Zoo, since it is maintained very poorly, the conditions animal kept in are awful, you feel sorry for poor animals. It is better not to spoil your mood.

The weather was scorching (+45C in the shade). There was no where to sit and worse still not where inside the park to by any refreshments. To buy more water we had to leave the park. There is a lot of potential here but no one seems to have any concept of what would be acceptable to an international traveller.

As CarolineSmith pints out having a review of the Zoo and Botanical Gardens in a single heading makes little sense as they are in different places. The thing I found most amusing in the Botanical gardens is the big octagonal hothouse that seems to contain barely more than a couple of palm trees though one has to admire them for keeping a palm alive at all through those fierce Central Asian winters. Most of the plants are helpfully labelled in three languages - Russian, Tajik and either English or the scientific Latin (or in a couple of cases more romantically as 'Tree of Happiness' etc. I had assumed that the "Flower Ball" was a signage error till I got there but it isn't... go and have a look!

The zoo I don't know, but the Botanical gardens are amazing! A place to escape from the city and see some nice Tajik reals. During the weekends of spring/summer and earl autumn don't miss all the just married couples getting pictures around the gardens.

it is a nice place but there are no exotic plants or any interesting plants to look at. it's a good place though for a tranquil walk in the chaotic Dushanbe.

The botanical garden I have been to is the one at the northern end of Rudaki Avenue. The botanical garden has a beautiful gate structure of middle eastern architecture and is a favorite place for wedding receptions. There must have been 4 wedding parties in the garden during the Sunday I was there. The garden hosts a wide variety of trees with some trees labeled. But it would have been more informative if a printed guide pointing out the important and unique tree species is available, perhaps when it is completed. Spread around the garden among the trees are pergolas. These are wooden structures with posts and beams adorned with very fine and ornate carvings. Most are still wrapped in plastic and looks like these have been newly constructed. There are also replicas of traditional houses, ovens and other features spread around the botanical garden.

I visited Dushanbe in early March, just after they had an unusually late winter storm. I was part of a delegation visiting Dushanbe on a trip related to our work with a cultural non-profit organization, and our guide suggested that we visit the garden in order to get a feeling for the city. As we walked through the garden, we were surrounded by brides and grooms, their wedding parties and close family members, and their photographers/videographers. Apparently, this is a very common place to go for a stroll before the wedding with the family. We really enjoyed getting a glimpse into this cultural tradition, and also getting the chance to see the beautiful landscape.There was a large reflection pool in the garden, and there were many beautiful and ornate wooden structures.

Видно, что когда-то был прекрасный и богатый сад, в котором и сегодня приятно погулять. Но вот зоопарк совсем никакущий, зверята жмутся в грязных тесных клетках, неухоженные, тощие. Животных почти не осталось, в основном местные таджикские горные бараны, медведи и волки. Лучше бы их на волю выпустили, чем так издеваться!