Shovi is a balneo-climatic resort in the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, at an elevation of about 1,520 metres, in the valley of the Chanchakhi River, among the natural attractions of the region. The resort is surrounded by coniferous and deciduous forest and the peaks of the Greater Caucasus, known for its carbonic hydrocarbonate calcium-sodium mineral springs, and was established in the first half of the 20th century as one of Georgia's popular health resorts.
On 3 August 2023, a major landslide struck the Buba river gorge next to the resort, triggered by a rockfall collapsing onto the Buba glacier: dozens of people died, and the resort's infrastructure was seriously damaged. According to Georgia's National Environmental Agency, the Bubistskali gorge zone has been designated unsafe for new construction and for the use of existing buildings, due to the risk of further landslides. Check the current access status directly before travelling, through official sources or local tour operators.
Shovi's climate is alpine: winters are cold (around −6°C on average), summers cool and mild (around +16°C on average). The resort is about 30 km from the district centre of Oni.
