Uzbek melon festival marks new high-speed rail route with striking train sculpture
At the “Qovun sayli — 2026” melon festival in the ancient city of Khiva, Uzbekistan, an elaborate high-speed train replica made entirely of melons has drawn crowds, honoring the launch of a new Tashkent–Khiva rail link.
The ancient Uzbek city of Khiva is currently hosting the lavish “Qovun sayli — 2026” melon festival, which this year has attracted particular attention thanks to an unusual exhibit: a full-scale replica of the “Jaloliddin Manguberdi” high-speed train, built entirely from dozens of melons.
Unlike typical melon-themed festival displays, this installation stands out for its craftsmanship. Created by the “Ranch University” team, the piece uses melons of different varieties and shades to faithfully recreate the train's signature blue, white and green color scheme. The result transforms an everyday agricultural crop into a striking and highly photogenic work of art that has become one of the festival's most talked-about attractions.
Celebrating a new rail connection
The installation was created to mark a significant milestone for the country's transport sector: the launch of a new high-speed rail route connecting the capital, Tashkent, with Khiva. The new service is expected to cut travel time between the two cities by almost seven and a half hours.
The melon festival in Khiva traditionally draws both local residents and tourists, and this year the unusual train sculpture has become a symbolic centerpiece, linking the region's agricultural heritage with the country's modern transport achievements.
