Your browser is out of date.
This site may not function properly in your current browser.
Update Now
Chiluchor Chashma
Escape the heat with a swim at the natural spring complex that's popular with locals in the warmer months.
When you consider how hot and dry it can be in southwestern Tajikistan, it's perhaps no surprise that a cool natural oasis has taken on an almost spiritual status with the local population over the generations. Chiluchor Chashma translates as '44 Springs' because of the number of naturally occurring springs that feed into the large azure pools here. With a consistent temperature of about 14 degrees Celsius, it's a popular place for a swim in the summer months.
Beyond the respite from the heat, it's believed the pools at Chiluchor Chashma have healing properties that can help people who suffer from a variety of illnesses. Whether this belief has arisen because of the minerals in the water or because it is actually a source of mystical power, pilgrims have travelled to the site for decades to bathe in the waters and pray for recovery.
Calm and relaxing, the recreational area is shaded by large willow and mulberry trees. In the clear water, fish and eels swim amongst the reeds. Because of the large number of visitors, concrete platforms have been built around the pools to offer easier access to the water, while there are now also simple pagodas and picnic areas.
