The territory of Shira region features 167 lakes with the area 1 ha (map). Many of these lakes exhibit high mineral content, a part of them has high recreation and balneological potential.

Among the most popular in Khakasia are 12 mineral lakes, five of them are in Shira region: Shira, Utichye-III, Bele, Tus, Shunet. Of considerable therapeutical value is the "pear of Khakasiz" - fresh-water lake Itkul.

The key sight of the area is the scenic lake Shira. The maximum depth of the lake is 21 m, length - 9.35 km, width - 5.3 km, surface area - 35.9 km², the coast length - 24.5 km. The lake bottom raises stepwise to smooth banks covered with sand convenient for comfortable beaches.

Numerous laboratory studies have found the mineral content in the lake to vary from 17.3 g/l to 30 g/l with sampling depth. The water is alkaline with рН 8.9-9.2. The water stock in the lake is estimated at 387 000 000 m³. The chemical composition formula of the mineral water is:

Utichye-III is 23 km east of "Shira Lake" resort. A series of lakes (Domazhak, Matarak, Shunet, Krasnenkoye, Valsyevo, Utichye-I, Utichye-II, Utichye-III, Gorkoye) stretch fro 10 km along a large tectonic fissure - Shunet break.

The lake is practically surrounded by low hills. The water area of the lake is - km², length - 1.98 km, the largest width - 1.17 km, the coastal line - 5.4 km, the average depth - 2 m.

The lake has no outflow; its supply is provided by ground, underground and atmspheric waters. The formula of chemical composition is:

Bele is 25 km north-east of Shira station. The largest lake of the Republic of Khakasia, has a trough-like basin elongated from north to east. Among the sights of the lake is a rocky prominence in the middle dividing the lake into two stretches. The local population attributed them the status of independent water bodies - Great Bele and Little Bele.

The water area of the lake is 75 km², the coastal line - 66.3 km, the maximum depth reaches 48.2 m. By its chemical composition the lake water is classed as sulfate-chloride-sodium-magnesium with relatively high mineral content (9-14 g/l).

Tus is 30 km north of Shira station. The water area of the lake is 2.65 km², the coastal line - 8.0 km, the maximum depth is up to 2.0 m. The lake water is attributed to brines with weak alkaline reaction (pH=8.3-8.4). The mineral content of water is 67-94 g/l.

Shunet is 10 km south-west of Shira lake. The water area of the lake is 0.46км², the coastal line - 2.9 km, the maximum depth is up to 3.0 m. The lake water is attributed to brines with weak alkaline reaction (pH=8.4). The mineral content of water is 61.3 g/l.

Itkul is 4.3 km south-east of Shira lake. The water area of the lake is 23.25 км², the coastal line - 8.0 km, the maximum depth is up to 17.0 м. The lake water is attributed to brines with weak alkaline reaction (pH=8.3-8.4). The mineral content of water is 0.6-0.7 g/l.