Graveyard of ships
A place where time stands still
The abandoned port city Muynak, a small town in Karakalpakstan, is located on the former shore of the drying Aral Sea and annually attracts lovers of extreme tourism. It is definitely worth going there to see one of the most amazing and tragic places on our planet, and to take a fresh look at your own life through the prism of disaster.
Words by: Valeriya Galikhanova
Muynak
More than half a century ago, the Aral Sea began to retreat from Muynak (Moynak - “isthmus” or “sandbank” from the Kazakh language) for hundreds of kilometres. Once upon a time the region was bustling with life due to arable land and fishing. Now, because of the drying up of the Aral Sea, residents have to live in desert conditions. Today, rusty ships and boats that have furrowed the waters of the salt sea stand right in the middle of the sands and have become a showplace on the map. Here is the famous "Graveyard of ships". Despite that, Muynak is the most remote city from Tashkent, tourists from all over the world are not afraid of harsh conditions, hot wind and salt sand and come here every year. The opportunity to see the huge territory of the dried seabed, touch the remains of ships, and even swim in the water of the vanishing sea changes the people who have been here.
The sight is really shocking. Rust-eaten huge ships at the bottom of the dry sea are the result of an environmental disaster, which is talked about and studied by scientists around the world. History lovers will certainly be interested to look into the local history Museum near the lighthouse and the remains of the ships. A small museum exposition tells visitors about the former glory of the fishing town and the tragedy of the Aral. It contains paintings and photo archives, household items and even canned fish.
Sometimes can be heard it has become a Ghost town. However, the city with a population of 13 thousand people continues to live its unhurried life and gradually revives. This is a very positive tendency. Extreme jeep tours along the sands to the shores of the remaining Northern Aral Sea closer to the Kazakhstan territory are organized for tourists. The governments of both countries devote much attention to the marine conservation and careful attitude to water resources. A Fund has been established under the auspices of the UN to solving the actual problems of the Aral Sea region. Muynak is planned to make into a grandiose memorial complex and a tourist centre. Huge tax benefits will be provided for investors and business development.
The sky here is not illuminated by any synthetic light and becomes a huge heavy star canvas at night. Dancing to the most unusual music and sleeping in yurts under the stars in a place where once there was water everywhere and sea life truly turn Muynak into a mysterious place full of tragic romanticism.
Regarding weather, it is most comfortable for tourists to come in Muynak from April to June and from August to October, because due to climate change, the local winters are very cold and windy now, and the summer has become even hotter.
There is a special feeling everyone encounters when they visit this place, as it doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. Those who walk among the ships’ remains, say that they start to revaluate their lives and understand the power of a human to full extent.
