Khizi waiting you with its natural attractions
By Nigar Orujova
With the arrival of fresh season, it is now hard to stay at home for a long time. So, to spend a nice day in a place not so far away from Baku, you can go to Khizi.
Situated at just 10 km from the capital, Khizi seems attracting for visitors with its natural beauties and unreal landscapes.
First, you will be astonished with the roads leading to the region. Various rocks along the roads have created an unearthly view. Red stripes runs along your way arising in you the feeling of the Curiosity spacecraft exploring Mars.
On your road to the shady forest of the region, you will also have the opportunity to visit the home museum of the proclaimed Azerbaijani poet Mikayil Mushvig. Mushvig was a real patriot who expressed himself in the lyrical poems, and paid a heavy price for his love to Azerbaijan. He was one of the victims of Stalin era.
Meanwhile, you have the chance to see the air changes and have a sea-scent, as the region is washed by the Caspian Sea in the east.
Khizi town is a small place. You need at most an hour to visit the whole town. Then, you have time to see to other places: the mountains of the national park in the region or Altiagaj, one of the best-known tourist attractions of the region located 12-14 km from Khizi. If you have two days off, you can visit both places.
In addition to an astonishing forest in the region, you can also visit other historical places there. In Khalaj village, there is a famous 15th century shrine, with an ancient graveyard called "Agh Pir". In Alishirin village dating back to 15th century, sepulchre of Sheikh Heydar, an extremely courageous man, the father of the Safavid ruler Shah Ismayil.
Gizilgazma place is among the main tourist attractions in Khizi. This mountainous region is very famous for its small mountaÃÃÂin lake.
During the visit to Bayahmad Yurdu village, you can see one of the most beautiful and picturesque mountain in Khizi. However, the story of this village is tragic. Once a flowering village, it was devastated later during the World War II.
After this long trip, you would be hungry soon. So, do not waste your time and order the delicious national food and sweet scented tea with lip smacking preserves in Soyugbulag.
Soyugbulag has beautiful springs with ice-cold water. It is situated at a forest on top of a mountain, where you can make a picnic. The lucky ones will also have an opportunity to see wild animals here.
You can stay for a night in the local hotels or pitch your tent and sleep in the forest. However, do not build a fire there, otherwise you will be fined.
Enjoying the last warm days in this place is a perfect chance. So do not hesitate and take your tent and go to Khizi.