Charvak reservoir

This Pearl of the Western Tien Shan appeared very recently, in 1970. It was then that a 168-meter–high stone–fill dam was created, behind which, at the confluence of the Pskem, Koksu and Chatkal rivers, a beautiful mountain lake was formed - the Charvak reservoir - the blue water of which beckons to itself on hot summer days.

Once upon a time there were settlements, mounds, evidence of sites of primitive man, petroglyphs and other historical monuments on the site of the current bottom. However, after the devastating earthquake of 1966, when Tashkent was being rebuilt by the entire USSR, there was an acute shortage of cheap and environmentally friendly electricity, and it was decided to create Charvakskaya GRES (there simply was no more suitable place). Archaeologists and historians have conducted research on all the sites in advance, photographed and recorded more than 150 historical monuments of this region. Now, 40 years later, most of these attractions have disappeared under a layer of mud and silt.

60 km away. From Tashkent, the Charvak reservoir, often referred to simply as Charvak, is the most popular vacation spot among locals. The shoreline of the reservoir is almost 100 km long, and there are many recreation areas, boarding houses and children's camps along half of this length. The most comfortable here is the Charvak Oromgohi complex, where you can sunbathe on the sandy beach or ride a boat or scooter. However, you can have a great time swimming by the shore, in places like Yusuphana and Brichmulla. It offers a beautiful view of the peaks of Bolshoy and Maly Chimgan, and other rocky mountains, which are also popular tourist attractions among residents and visitors of the capital.

One of the small but interesting sights of the Charvak reservoir is the village of Bogistan. Two great figures of the East were born here: Sheikh Hovendi at-Tahur (Sheikhantaur), as well as his distant relative Ubaydullah Akhror, a well-known great Sufi in the world. By the way, before reaching the dam, there is a teahouse near the town of Khojikent, in which a 600-year-old plane tree grows, and nearby you can find cave paintings of primitive man.

It's not difficult to get to the Charvak reservoir: just an hour by car on the expressway from Tashkent and a clear mountain lake is already at your very feet. Here you can swim, hike the surrounding hills and mountains, as well as paraglide or ride a scooter with the breeze, and, of course, see incredible sunrises and sunsets.