Presidential Palace, Dushanbe (must see)

The former Presidential Palace was built as the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan. Designed in the Stalinist style, with a symmetrical façade and tall entrance columns, it was likely completed in 1957 to mark the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. After independence in 1991, it became the Presidential Palace and remained a centre of political power for many years.

In February 2020, authorities decided to demolish the building as part of a larger plan to replace several Soviet-era structures and modernise the government district. The decision led to public discussion about its historical value, but demolition went ahead, and the area was cleared for a new and much larger complex.

The new building, officially called the “Government of the Republic of Tajikistan” (Ҳукумати Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон), was opened on July 5, 2024, during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. China provided about $350 million in assistance for the construction of both the new government and parliament complexes. The design combines Tajik decorative details with modern Chinese construction methods. More than 10,000 tons of stone were brought from China. The complex includes one 15-storey building and two 13-storey buildings, covering around 10.27 hectares.

This site should not be confused with the Palace of the Nation (Qasri Millat), which remains the President’s official residence and is used for major diplomatic meetings. The new Government complex serves as the country’s main administrative centre, housing the Executive Office of the President, government offices, a 1,000-seat hall, and other state departments.