The Kayrakkum reservoir, completed in 1956 on the Syr Darya river east of Khujand, is large enough that locals call it the "Tajik Sea." At 520 square kilometres, it is the largest body of water in Tajikistan, created to support irrigation across the Fergana Valley. Its sandy beaches and calm warm water have made it a popular summer destination for the whole of northern Tajikistan.
In July and August, the shoreline fills with families, and the water temperature reaches a comfortable 25°C. Small guesthouses and camps cater to weekend visitors from Khujand. Fishing boats work the reservoir year-round — carp, catfish, and bream are caught in quantity and sold at the bazaar in Khujand. The drive out from the city passes through flat agricultural land and small Tajik villages, and the first glimpse of the reservoir across the dusty plain is genuinely striking.