Tourism is the most profitable industry in the world. In recent years, Uzbekistan has implemented numerous promising projects in this field, contributing to an increasing flow of tourists visiting the country.

This trend can also be observed in Kashkadarya region. A presidential resolution issued in November 2023 outlines tasks for the creation of high-altitude tourist bases – “Shakhrisabz” in Shakhrisabz district and “Maydanak” in Qamashi district. 

The Miraki mahalla, located in the mountains, has been chosen as the “Shakhrisabz” tourist center site. As part of the implementation of this decree, large-scale construction work is currently underway in the area.

As part of the implementation of this resolution, large-scale construction work is underway in the area. 

Notably, last year, a suspension bridge, selfie zones, and a zipline were built in this district. Additionally, a boat tour service was launched at the Hisorak Reservoir, laying the foundation for an increase in the number of tourists visiting the district. 

According to analyses, in 2024, the region welcomed 550,000 foreign and 2 million local tourists, with 50,000 foreign and 420,000 local tourists visiting Shakhrisabz district. 

The transformations in Miraki mahalla, which has been granted the status of a “tourist mahalla”, are highly commendable. Drawing on international experience, modern hotels, cozy hostels, cable cars, and dining establishments are being constructed in the area.

“I visited Miraki two years ago, and today I can hardly recognize the place”, says Madina Pardayeva from Qarshi district. “The entertainment venues around the Hisorak Reservoir bring special joy to visitors. We are having a wonderful time here with our whole family”.

Indeed, in accordance with the Presidential Resolution of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Measures for the Construction of Modern Service and Tourism Facilities in the Mountain and Recreational Zones of Kashkadarya Region” issued on November 28, 2023, a Department for the Development and Management of Tourism Infrastructure was established under Kashkadarya regional administration to oversee the development and management of Shakhrisabz and Maydanak Baland Tog’ tourism centers. 

To ensure the effective implementation of this resolution, the department regularly monitors projects initiated by commercial banks and business entities. Additionally, measures are being taken to attract both foreign and domestic investors.

In particular, construction is underway at the Shakhrisabz tourist center for two hotels with a capacity of 300 guests, three single-story hostels accommodating 300 people, a restaurant, a sports hall, and a children’s playground, with work now in its final stage. A two-story building for a shopping and entertainment complex and a restaurant has been constructed, with 60 percent completed. Currently, interior wall masonry work is in progress. 

Furthermore, as part of an auction, 1.3 hectares of land have been acquired to construct a cable car, a parking lot, and a modern public dining and service complex within the Shakhrisabz tourist center. At present, groundwork is being carried out to install the cable car. 

It is worth noting that all these large-scale projects are being implemented at the initiative of commercial banks and will later be sold to private business entities.

“According to the master plan, a total of 10 kilometers of pedestrian and bicycle paths will be constructed within the Shakhrisabz tourist center”, says Javokhir Tadjiyev, Deputy Director of the Department for the Development and Management of Tourism Infrastructure under the Kashkadarya regional administration. “As of today, pedestrian and bicycle paths stretching 9,750 meters have already been built on both sides of the river flowing through the Miraki mahalla. Additionally, 9,102 meters of sidewalk railings have been installed, along with 500-night lighting fixtures, and two 11-column alleys have been created. Two of the three planned 20-meter bridges have been built across the river, along with one of the two 35-meter bridges and a 44-meter bridge”. 

Local entrepreneurs are also playing a key role in transforming the appearance of the tourist mahalla. For instance, 240 hectares of land were allocated for creating the tourist center in Shakhrisabz district, of which 81.07 hectares were divided into more than 30 lots for auction. According to the master plan, 17 lots (21.2 hectares) were listed in the automated information system “YERELEKTRON”. Among them, 12 lots (16.8 hectares) of land were auctioned at an initial price of 11.172 billion UZS and sold to entrepreneurs for 15.671 billion UZS. In line with the master plan, project and cost documentation have been developed for 12 lots, and construction and installation work has begun.

Attracting investors to the tourist center requires the development of appropriate infrastructure for external engineering and communication networks. In this regard, major road repairs leading to the Miraki mahalla are being carried out in accordance with modern standards, along with improvements to the power supply system. 

“As of today, the district power grid company has delivered 125 reinforced concrete poles to the citizens’ assembly area in Miraki mahalla to support communication infrastructure development”, says Yashnar Vasiyev, head of the Shakhrisabz District Power Grid Company. “Additionally, SIP cables have been supplied to replace 15 kilometers of overhead power lines. Work is underway to replace old electrical poles with new ones and install new overhead power lines. Moreover, an additional 160 kV transformer has been installed and operated in the mahalla”.

In short, over the next few years, Miraki mahalla is set to become a popular tourist destination. 

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Ulmas Barotov, photos by Jamshid Norqobilov, UzA