Southern Azerbaijan

This article is about the southern part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. For southern part of the cultural region of Azerbaijan, see Iranian Azerbaijan

Southern Azerbaijan is a region in Azerbaijan, which includes Agjabadi, Beylaqan, Kurdamir, Imishli, Saatli, Ujar, Zardab rayons as well as the parts of Agdam and Fuzuli rayons under Azerbaijani control.

Cities

• 1 Agdam – A huge modern-day ghost town, potentially coming back to live now being re-situated in Azerbaijan.
• 2 Agjabadi (Ağcabədi) – The capital of the homonymous region and the birthplace of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, the father of classical and opera in Azerbaijan.
• 3 Beylaqan (Beyləqan) – One of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan located in the triangle between the Kura and Aras rivers in the steppe Mil.
• 4 Hadrut – A small southern town with several nearby 13/14th-century monasteries, and the former terminus of the Armenian Janapar Trail, but now part of Azerbaijan.
• 5 Imishli (İmişli) – The capital of the homonymous region, located in an area near the Aras River.
• 6 Kurdamir (Kürdəmir) – Located on one of the main Azerbaijani railway lines east-west, connecting the capital, Baku, with the rest of the country.
• 7 Shusha – The historic capital of Karabakh that used to be one of the cultural capitals of the Caucasus; has lots to see, although the town is largely in ruins from the war and is a shell of its former self
• 8 Zardab – The capital of the region of the same name. The founder of the first Azeri newspaper, Hasan bey Zardabi, lived here.

Other destinations

• 1 Ag-Gel National Park / Agh Gol National Park – Composed largely of Lake Ağgöl. Highly recommended by the internet.
• 2 Kura-Araks Lowland – A vast lowland in central-southern Azerbaijan defined by the valleys of the Kura and Aras River.

Get in

The Southern Azerbaijan is along the main bus and train route between Baku and Georgia. The main cities along this route are Kurdamir and Ujar, which pose as hubs for the rest of the region.

Get around

• Azerbaijan has a well developed bus system between the local city and village terminals.
• Drivers are commonly friendly with backpackers and road trippers, so auto-stop is equally an option to travel within the region.
• It has to be seen how the former Armenian occupied part becomes accessible and whether here mentioned and former sites of Nagorno-Karabakh can be visited.

See

• Shusha (formerly part of Nagorno-Karabakh)
  • Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of the Holy Savior
  • City walls
  • Govharagha Mosque
  • Jtrtuz overlook of Karkar Canyon
  • Zontik Waterfall (1½-hr hike on the former Janapar Trail)

• 1 Gtichavank monastery. A beautiful monastery on the iconic Togh mountain that is undergoing a slow restoration. At the foot of the mountain is Togh village with vineyards and a winery.  

• 2 Tigranakert of Artsakh. The ancient city of Tigranakert, one of four cities that were founded in the 1st century BCE in opposite corners of Armenia and named after King Tigran II the Great, ruler of the short-lived Armenian Empire. (updated Jun 2019)

Stay safe

Southern Azerbaijan now extends into formerly Armenian occupied territory and it needs to be seen what this means for the safety and experience of tourists. Get yourself up-to-date information before heading into the former conflict region, especially to Shusha.

Go next

• Baku Region in the north east. With the cosmopolitan Azerbaijani capital Baku, and famous for its mud volcanoes.
• Sheki Region in the north. Gateway to the Azerbaijani Caucasus.
• Ganja Region in the north west. Famous for the largest lake in Azerbaijan, the beautiful Ganja and the Naftalan petroleum spa resort.
• Talysh Region in the south east.