"The National Museum of Antiquities gets an unfair write up in the Lonely Planet Guide (2018). Sure its a little dated and the floors are a bit of a tripping hazard! But the contents of the museum are incredible. Artefacts ranging from the times of the stone age, Alexander the Great, pre Islamic period, Genghis Khan. Tajikistan is so rich in history and cultural influences of all the silk road travellers are seen through pottery, tools, textiles, sculptures and artworks.

We were blessed to have our guide Adiba give a super passionate 1 hour tour across the two floors. But even without a guide there is enough signage in Tajik, Russian and English.

If you are a history nerd you will love this place, especially its large gallery of Hellenic period artefacts which is an era I am especially interested in. The top floor also houses an impressive reclining Buddha statue.

You get a pair of plastic shoe covers on the way in. Toilets are free. Could easily spend an hour here. I hope the new edition of Lonely Planet due out Nov 2025 gives a better review for this lovely little museum as it deserves to see more tourists."

Timeshare Chinchilla

"A rudimentary little museum that can be taken in in about an hour, or with a local guide for longer. It seems the Tajiks are still trying to figure out the tourism thing, as not everything is translated and there are few signs detailing what you’re looking at. But the history is real and the artifacts are thought provoking. Also, they only accept local credit cards for payment, another sign of the tourism growing pains, so bring cash. Definitely worth the price. The museum is home to the world’s largest sleeping Buddha, which unfortunately was cut into 92 pieces when discovered for easier transport, then reassembled. A good education in Hellenistic conquest, too. It’s amazing how far east Alexander made it."

Jonathan Preuss

"The best way to get extra ordinary impressions from Dushanbe city. Every tourist has to visit this museum. Recommendation!!"

Dilshodkhon Dadokhonov