Meros Paper Mill

Sometimes, all we need for happiness is to look at familiar things in a new way. Just 13 km from Samarkand, there is one special place – the tourist village of Konigil.

The place is famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts, the purest nature, shady trees, and the Siab River flowing nearby. But perhaps the main attraction of this corner is the Meros factory, where paper production is carried out.

The paper mill was founded by the Mukhtarov artisan brothers. Thanks to them, the factory revived and established the production of paper in an ancient way – a technology used long before the advent of paper machines. The main feature of this technology is manual labor, which uses only natural raw materials. For this reason, the paper turns out to be slightly yellowish in color, because it is not bleached with chemicals. The strength of the paper is significantly different from modern bleached paper. Compare: an ordinary sheet can be stored for 40 years, and Samarkand paper is ten times longer – 400 years.

In order to see firsthand the process of making Samarkand paper, guided tours are organized to the factory. Here you can stroll through the picturesque territory, see the charkhpalak water wheel, and sit in a traditional teahouse by the river. Any guest is welcome here, so they will definitely offer to try Samarkand pilaf and local fruits.

Of course, the factory will provide a detailed introduction to the production technology and demonstrate products made from Samarkand paper – these are magnificent souvenirs, postcards, notebooks in the national style, handbags, dolls and even dresses. You can buy your favorite items at the souvenir shop at the factory.
It is worth noting that Samarkand paper is used not only for making souvenirs, but also for the restoration of ancient manuscripts. Such paper is ordered all over Uzbekistan and abroad.

The village of Konigil is going to be expanded soon. There will be new tourist routes, guest houses and craft centers.

Konigil village and Meros Paper Mill
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Sometimes, all we need for happiness is to look at familiar things in a new way. Just 13 km from Samarkand, there is one special place – the tourist village of Konigil.

The place is famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts, the purest nature, shady trees, and the Siab River flowing nearby. But perhaps the main attraction of this corner is the Meros factory, where paper production is carried out.

The paper mill was founded by the Mukhtarov artisan brothers. Thanks to them, the factory revived and established the production of paper in an ancient way – a technology used long before the advent of paper machines. The main feature of this technology is manual labor, which uses only natural raw materials. For this reason, the paper turns out to be slightly yellowish in color, because it is not bleached with chemicals. The strength of the paper is significantly different from modern bleached paper. Compare: an ordinary sheet can be stored for 40 years, and Samarkand paper is ten times longer – 400 years.

In order to see firsthand the process of making Samarkand paper, guided tours are organized to the factory. Here you can stroll through the picturesque territory, see the charkhpalak water wheel, and sit in a traditional teahouse by the river. Any guest is welcome here, so they will definitely offer to try Samarkand pilaf and local fruits.
Of course, the factory will provide a detailed introduction to the production technology and demonstrate products made from Samarkand paper – these are magnificent souvenirs, postcards, notebooks in the national style, handbags, dolls and even dresses. You can buy your favorite items at the souvenir shop at the factory.
It is worth noting that Samarkand paper is used not only for making souvenirs, but also for the restoration of ancient manuscripts. Such paper is ordered all over Uzbekistan and abroad.
The village of Konigil is going to be expanded soon. There will be new tourist routes, guest houses and craft centers.

For example, the production of ceramic products, carpentry, and the production of vegetable oil using ancient technologies will be established. Guests will be able to see the process of growing Samarkand rice. Entertainment and cultural programs will be organized in the village, where guests will be able to taste pilaf made from Samarkand rice and butter, listen to performances on national musical instruments and take part in the manufacture of pottery.