Near the junction of the Surkhan with the Oxus are the ruins of the ancient city of Termez, on the northern or Bokharan bank, and the ferry at Pata Kesar (not far from the ruins of an old bridge) is the connecting link between Bokhara and Mazar hereabouts.
A Russian branch railway is said to have been recently built from Samarkand to Termez.
The only island of any size in the bed of the river is the island of Paighambar, a little below the ruins of Termez.
The Bundeswehr needs the base in Termez for the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan.