Tourist attractions in Gilan and Lahijan

Lahijan , one of the most spectacular cities of Gilan province with many highlights, lies in the north of Deilaman.
It extends north to the Caspian sea , south to Deilaman, southwest to Siyahkal and west to Astaneh Ashrafiyeh. It lies on a mountainous area with foothills covered in tea bushes.
With an array of beautiful landscapes and natural attractions, it’s known as “Gilan’s bride”. It’s well-known for its beautiful mountainous region with landscapes of green tea gardens , rice patches, and several springs, which are a draw for both national and international tourists.
The city lies on a flat and plain land which was formed as a result of deposits left behind by the rivers in Gilan. It’s among the prime cities in Gilan featuring a great historic and geographic location. It was the center of Biehpish for many years.
It was conquered by Oljaito in 705 AH and Amir Timur sent his troops there. Sayyed Amir Beik and his grandchildren ruled the city. When Kianid rulers collapsed Safavid kings came to power.
In the time of Oljaito, there used to be a mint where coins were made. There are coins remaining from the eras of Abu Sa'id, Bahadur Khan , Oljaito, Fath Ali Shah and Shah Tahmasb of the Safavid , manufactured in Lahijan.
According to history, in the past it used to be the center of Biehpish governance and stretched from Sefid Rud to Chalus
It has long been the center for silk trade and plays a main part in import and export industries of silk.
About the city Hamdollah Mostofi writes:
“Its water comes from mountains and its products include rice, silk, and grain, orange and citron as well as abundant tropical fruits. “
Tea production is its main agricultural industry. It was first cultivated by Haj Mohammad Hossein Esfahani in 1302 AH, in the reign of Nasereddin Shah. He couldn’t develop it. But Mohammad Khan Ghajar Ghavanlu, titled Kashefossaltane and known as ChayKar (or tea cultivator), planted tea in 1319.
He was the father of tea cultivation throughout Iran.
It includes two districts of Rudboneh and Markazi and 7 rural districts : Rudboneh, Shirju Posht, Ahandan, Bazkyagurab, Lafamjan, Lyalestan and Lil.
It contains 7 prime neighborhoods whose names would remind you of the time when Biehpish rulers reigned over the region . Today’s Lahijan lies in the southeast part, in the foothills of Sheikhan Kuh (or Sheitan Kuh).
Some of the neighborhoods have been named after the people’s occupations like: Meidan, Sheer Bafan, Khamir Kalaye and Gabneh. And others named for the geographic phenomena like Parde Sar. And the rest were named after the pilgrim sites nearby such as Amir Mashhad.
They are mainly Gilak . Residents atop the heights are called Galesh who belong to the dynasty of Gilak and speak in Gilaki.
People of the city speak in Gilaki ( Biehpish) which is different from that of Gliaki spoken in Rasht (Biehpas) in terms of phonetic, lexicon and grammar. Biehpish is too different from Galeshi spoken in mountainous regions.
The ecosystem boats diverse fauna.
Main animals: cow, horse, sheep, mules, donkeys, dogs and cats and buffalo
Wild animals:
Leopard, bear, wolf, fox, jackal, wild cat, deer, gazelle, antelope, sable, hedgehog
, otter, rabbit, pig, hog, squirrel, hyenas, tigers, etc.
Birds: chicken, duck, goose, turkey , pheasants, wild goose, Khutka , coot, hawk, quail, open, nightingales, robins, stork, pelican, heron, pigeon, Tihu, owl , falcon, sparrows, Sharasty, woodpeckers etc.
Fish:
White fish, salmon, trout, mullet fish,Suf, pickerel, carp, Sevruga, eel, Speli, Mahi sim, Mahi shak, Klyka, Ghas Mahi, Ghil Mahi, Gav Mahi, Shiba Mahi, Mahi Mash, Kuli etc.
It boasts many spectacular landscapes and recreational resorts among which are the pool , Sheitan Kuh, green roof , waterfall , national garden, international wetland of Amir Kalaye , green tea gardens, tea’s history museum, Golshan bathhouse, and Dozdbon castle.
One of the great cities of the world, it also features a 1,550-meter-long chairlift that appeals to both domestic and foreign visitors.
Here are some of its highlights:
Sheikh Zahed Gilani mausoleum
It is a masterpiece in architecture in a path filled with natural tourist attractions. The landmark lies out of the city of Lahijan, on the slopes of a mountain in the village of Sheikhanevar on the Lahijan-Langrud road.
Sheitan Kuh
With a height of 60 meters ,the green mountain covered in short box-tree lies along the Alborz mountain range in the east part of the city of Lahijan. The mountain in the heart of the city has created wonderful landscapes which are a draw for many tourists.
Sheitan Kuh waterfall
The beautiful waterfall, flowing down the mountain of Sheitan Kuh, is fed by a pool with a water pump. There are ponds to discharge water and make it flow down. Nearby is a staircase leading up to the peak which takes visitors from beside the waterfall on foothills up to the peak and green roof, running through green trees. It contains over 750 steps.
Lahijan’s pond
In the foothills of Sheitan Kuh lies a large pond, covering an area of 17 hectares. It’s said that it was built at the order of Shah Abbas. It has a beautiful isle which joins the southern edge with a bridge. The pond's 2-km-long shoreline stands near a lovely boulevard which surrounds the pool. It’s among the spectacular recreational resorts of Lahijan.
Green roof
In recent years , the municipality in Lahijan has developed an open space atop the Sheitan Kuh mountain overlooking the city. It’s known as the green roof. The green and beautiful space is connected to a waterfall through a path from the entrance of the mountain. It’s a draw for many nature wanderers thanks to the heights overlooking the fascinating city and tea gardens. Over the green roof , with recreational facilities, you can have a perfect view of Lahijan day and night.
Chairlift
One recreational highlight is the chairlift built by the private company of Ahrar with the efforts of the Islamic council of the city and its municipality in 1384 ( solar calendar). The 1550 –meter long chairlift which stretches from the green roof to the peak of Taj Khorus has a capacity to carry 1000 people each hour . 350 meters above sea level, the highest point, it contains 2 stations and 5 masts. A park has been built with a restaurant and coffee shop and refreshments stores with sheltered tables and has made it a suitable hub for tourists.
Be’esat park, National Garden)
It encompasses an area of over 1,200 square meters , located in the center of Lahijan.
Mir Safa forest park : the natural forest park lies on Shaghayegh street ( leading up to the Azad university). It features some sheltered tables which are fascinating to tourist.
International wetland of Ami Kalayeh
Covering an area of over 1200 hectares, it lies 40 km north of the city of Lahijan near the Caspian Sea. It boasts a special ecosystem , void of any environmental pollution , and plenty of recreational highlights.
Amir Abad shores
The northernmost point of Lahijan leads up to the Caspian sea and Amir Abad coastlines, which is a favorite draw.
Chichi Nikuti , a beautiful village
Chichi Nikuti means sparrow’s nest. It boasts beautiful landscapes ; only a wander through the mountainous forests will be enough to understand the concept of a pristine nature. It has luckily been immune from human damage and features various animal species such as brown bear, jackal, fox, hyena, and gray pig which are found in forests. Almost late in spring and early in summer special wild raspberries grow in the woodlands of the village which taste out of this world.
Hope the pristine and beautiful nature remains forever.