A subtle interplay of irrigation channels means that the waters of Aydar Kul, which appeared in the 1970s, continue to rise while the Aral Sea dries up. Since the lake abounds in fish, it has quickly become a favourite stopover for migratory birds. Above all, this vast expanse of water in the middle of the desert has become one of the region's top tourist attractions. Don't even think about completing a trip to Uzbekistan without stopping off at its largely undeveloped beaches or taking a camel safari on its banks.