Tourist routes

Many have heard of the village of Langar in Qamashi district of Kashkadarya region.

Our visit to the village was due to the widely circulated photographs of a frozen waterfall that gained popularity on social media.

We arrived in the village early in the morning. We met a young horseman who had taken those photographs there. We asked him to show us this beautiful place.

The villagers, known for their warmth and hospitality, immediately made us feel at home. Dustmuhammad, a young man with a passion for horse breeding, was quick to offer us his horses for the journey.

As we ascended the mountain, the village of Langar unfolded beneath us like a miniature painting. Our destination, a mere 5.5 kilometers away, was a breathtaking sight to behold.

“Our village is nestled among the mountains, and it is wonderful in winter and spring”, said Dustmuhammad Tukhtayev. “Most residents are engaged in livestock farming. I have a passion for horse breeding, attending all equestrian competitions, and raising racehorses. I discovered the waterfall during one of my horseback rides”.

The snow cover grew more profound, and the juniper groves became denser. Tracks of foxes, wolves, and hares in the snow indicated that the forest was home to diverse wildlife.

In this region, characterized by dry summers, the population is engaged in livestock farming and agriculture. Residents grow barley, wheat, and peas.

Finally, we reached the ice-covered cliff, dismounted about a hundred meters from the rocks, and continued on foot. We moved along a steep mountain slope, where the snow reached our knees, making it difficult to see what lay beneath the white blanket. However, all hardships were forgotten at the sight of the waterfall, transformed into an ice wall.

This icy cliff serves as a reminder of the final moments of winter, unwilling to yield its place to spring.

In reality, the icy cliff was formed due to a burst pipe supplying residents drinking water. As a result, pressurized water gushed out and sprayed onto two nearby fir trees, which later froze due to the low temperatures.

There are no waterfalls or natural springs in this area. The water continued flowing, and the ice thickened, eventually creating a unique frozen formation. The great sculptor – nature – crafted it with such artistry that, when viewed from a distance, it resembles a girl tilting her head back, her lengthy hair cascading behind her.

“This is the first time such a natural phenomenon has occurred”, said one of our companions, Arslan Qayumov. “It is a good sign that the year will be prosperous. There was plenty of snow, and the winter was cold. The artificial ice formation looks stunning, but unfortunately, it will melt with the arrival of warmth”.

We, too, admired this creation of winter, capturing it in photographs.

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U. Barotov, photos by J. Norqobilov, UzA