Konigil village and Meros paper Mill

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Sometimes, all we need for happiness is to look at familiar things in a new way. Just 13 km from Samarkand there is one special place – the tourist village of Konigil

The place is famous for its unique traditions of handicrafts, the purest nature, shady trees, and the Siab River flowing nearby. But, perhaps, the main attraction of this corner is the Meros factory, where paper production is carried out.

The paper mill was founded by the brothers artisans Mukhtarov. Thanks to them, the factory revived and established the production of paper in an ancient way – a technology used long before the advent of paper machines. The main feature of this technology is manual labor, which uses exclusively natural raw materials. For this reason, the paper turns out to be slightly yellowish in color, because it is not bleached by chemical means. The strength of the paper differs significantly from modern bleached paper. Compare: an ordinary sheet can be stored for 40 years, and Samarkand paper is ten times longer – 400 years.

In order to see firsthand the process of making Samarkand paper, excursions are organized to the factory. Here you can walk around the picturesque territory, see the charkhpalak water wheel, sit in a traditional teahouse by the river. Any guest is welcome here, so they will definitely offer to try Samarkand pilaf and local fruits.
Of course, the factory will familiarize you in detail with the production technology and demonstrate products made of Samarkand paper – these are magnificent souvenirs, postcards, notebooks in the national style, handbags, dolls and even dresses. You can buy your favorite products in the souvenir shop at the factory. It is worth noting that Samarkand paper is used not only for the manufacture of souvenirs, but also for the restoration of ancient manuscripts. Such paper is ordered all over Uzbekistan and abroad.
In the near future, the village of Konigil is planned to be expanded. There will be new tourist routes, guest houses and craft centers.

For example, the production of ceramic products, carpentry, the production of vegetable oil according to ancient technologies will be established. Guests will be able to see the process of growing Samarkand rice. Entertainment and cultural programs will be organized in the village, where guests will be able to taste pilaf from Samarkand rice and butter, listen to performances on national musical instruments and take part in the manufacture of pottery.