Shira region is called the gem of Khakasia come and make sure of that. Travelling through the republic of Khakasia will be pleasant even to a petted by foreign exotic traveller. Here you can pick most beautiful alpine flowers and sunbathe lying on local beaches. It is a land of contrasts: taiga and steppe, mountains and rough rivers with crystal clear water, lakes and caves. During a trip the landscapes change from dry steppe to forests and submontane and there begins taiga behind the mountain pass.

     Our region is not very big about 6810 square kilometers but its recreational potential is an object of envy for many countries interested in developing tourism. There are about 500 lakes, 110 of which are salty, in the republic. All the lakes are exceptional. Here are just some of them. A health-giving lake Dikoe (Wild) was granted by nature with unique beauty and remedial features of radon springs. Shira Lake has been a Siberian famous health centre for 100 years already. Lake Bele is the biggest mineral reservoir of Khakasia. Lake Shunet is surrounded with a range of hills with leafy birch splitting down the slopes. Lake Ivanovskoe is under federal protection and situated on the territory of exotic rocky landscapes with firry light forest, alpine and sub alpine meadows, rocky cold deserts, and exceptional groves and hushed waterfalls. Also rafting on river Belyi Ius you will be extremely impressed by nature scenery in front of you.

     From the archaeological point of view, our territory is one of the richest objects in whole Eurasia. Only few people can boast of being in place of the oldest Siberian settlement of ancient people or visiting ancient astronomical observatory in open air, which are about 16 thousand years old. This is only one observatory in Russia that is situated under the open sky. People call it Siberian Stonehenge or Siberian Pyramids. Accompanied with a guide you will be allowed to see petroglyphs and the strongholds walls that were built more than 2 thousand years ago. The common feature of ancient monuments is a plenty of rock paintings relevant to almost every age starting with neolith. These paintings reproduce the way of life, work, hunting, battles and war actions.

     You can visit many caves in Khakasia. If you go to the Kashkulakskaya Cave youll have a chance to see shamans appearance. As scientists assert, the walls of this cave imprint his image more than 2 thousand years ago. Minutes spent in total darkness and silence of huge caves grotto make a never-to-be-forgotten impression on tourists. You will feel (no matter if you wont understand) this endlessly mysterious border between people and spirits. You will touch the Universe secrets and will rejoice the beauty and mighty of the planet.