Penjikent (Panjakent) is a historic city in western Tajikistan, located along the Zeravshan River near the border with Uzbekistan. Often dubbed the "Pompeii of Central Asia," it is famous for the archaeological site of Old Penjikent—the remarkably preserved ruins of a wealthy 5th–8th century Sogdian city on the Silk Road. Today, Penjikent serves as a cultural hub, a showcase of ancient Sogdian heritage, and the primary gateway for travelers embarking on treks into the alpine Fann Mountains and the breathtaking Seven Lakes (Haft Kul).
