Looking at the map of Khakassia, it is impossible not to let one’s eye dwell on the numerous lakes of the Shirinsky district. One of the lakes with rich cultural value, known since ancient times, is Lake Shira. Witnesses of ancient history in the territory adjacent to the lake are ancient petroglyphs of the Early Bronze Age and burial mounds located along the entire shoreland. The water table of Lake Shira is spread over an area of 36 square kilometers, with a shoreline of 24.5 kilometers. The depth of Lake Shira reaches 22 meters. The swimming season starts from June and lasts until August, but the water warms up only by mid-July. The gently sloping sandy shores are suitable for recreation and health improvement of children from a very young age.
Much more than its historical value, Lake Shira is famous for its healing properties. The popularity of the Siberian health resort is based on mineral water from a nearby spring, a special composition of slightly salty lake water and therapeutic mud. All these factors, combined with dry steppe air and a large number of sunny days, make a holiday on Lake Shira healthy and comfortable. The bottom relief of Lake Shira is flat, made of limestone and pebbles, the shores are swampy in some places. The lake is surrounded by low hills, on the eastern side, at the confluence of the Son River, there is a protected area of the Reserve “Khakassky”.
Along the southern shoreline of Lake Shira is the settlement of Zhemchuzhny. For over 100 years, Lake Shira has been widely known thanks to the resort of the same name. The village has a good infrastructure for summer holidays - numerous cafes, restaurants, entertainment facilities, bicycle and ATV rentals, souvenir shops and much more facilities necessary for tourists. There are many private houses in the village, where it is easy to find accommodation to stay and it is also possible to stay in tent campsites. One can choose a place to relax based on their own desires and preferences, and the place offers enough healing water and gentle sun for everyone.
