Hamrin Lake becomes hub for tourism in Diyala

HAMRIN LAKE – Families from across Iraq, particularly nearby Baghdad, are flocking to Hamrin Lake, Diyala, to enjoy its rising water levels and scenic beauty. Visitors are engaging in activities such as picnicking, grilling, and boat rides, making the lake a popular destination within broader trips exploring Diyala.

Shereefa Sami, a tourist from Baghdad, shared her experience with 964media, “This is our second visit to Diyala. We previously visited Buhriz and Baqubah, and today we are heading to Tel Al-Zindan. Hamrin Lake is wonderful, and the tourism here is perfect for families, schools, and universities. We’ve taken boat rides twice—it’s very enjoyable.”

Diyala’s natural beauty and hospitable, diverse community, comprising Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmens, leave a positive impression on visitors, Sami added.

Ali Al-Aqabi, a member of the Wen Travel Team in Diyala, emphasized the growing interest in Diyala’s attractions. “Today, we welcomed more than 40 visitors from different parts of Iraq. They enjoyed the beauty of Diyala and visited several places, including Buhriz, Baqubah, and Kharnabat.”

He continued, “Some of them have been here before, and this time they explored new sites like Tel Al-Zindan and Hamrin Lake. We’ll be heading to Mandali district next.”

Al-Aqabi highlighted the importance of showcasing Diyala’s natural beauty. “It is our duty as young people to showcase the beauty of our city and all that can be a tourist destination, encouraging visitors to come. Security is available, and Diyala is not just the city of oranges; it also has many heritage and archaeological sites to explore.”

He called on both federal and local governments to invest in the maintenance and development of these sites to draw more tourists domestically and internationally.