Tourist attractions in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad

Few have stepped into the pristine and impressive land and failed to praise the God-given beauties in the south of the Zagros Mountains.
The land with four seasons within the soaring mountains of Zagros in the southwest of Iran enjoys a diverse climate, various rivers, forests, hills , springs , waterfalls and beautiful flowers. The province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad is surrounded by the provinces of Isfahan, Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari, Fars, Bushehr, and Khuzestan. It is considered as a corridor which connects north to south and east to west.
There are two cold and tropical climates which make it more interesting. When spring flowers in tropical areas like Kohgiluyeh, Gachsaran, Basht, Charam, Bahmai and Landeh start to blossom, cold areas like Boyer Ahmad and Dena are covered in white snow over the mountains and fields. The fascinating thing about it is that the two different climates are seen in areas which are only less than one hour from each other.
The ancient and post-Islamic sites represent the old history of the land.
Lema cemetery, Pataveh bridge, Berim bridge, Belad-e Shapur, Chahar Taghiye Kheirabad, etc. are linked to the ancient history of Iran.
The province also is home to itinerant nomads who lead such an interesting life and interact with nature in a beautiful way. It’s therefore one of the exceptional tourist attractions in the country.

Yasuj, glamorous capital of Iran’s nature

The city is known as Iran’s nature capital thanks to its natural tourist attractions. It looks like a piece of green silk cloth on the slopes of east Dena. Every year in spring and summer it receives many tourists and nature lovers who come over to enjoy the eye-catching beauties of the region in a pleasant climate.
The city is surrounded by roaring rivers of Basharand Mehriyan and soaring mountains of Dena covered in oak and mastic trees. That’s why some call it South’s north (Iran’s north is famous for beautiful and outstanding forests and vegetations).
Yasuj waterfall: located 5 km north of Yasuj, the cool and refreshing waterfall flows in a region with a nice climate. A lot of tourists come to see it especially in spring and summer.
Tang-e Ganjei: the resort is located 10 km northwest of Yasuj and enjoys a pleasant climate. There is a clear river which flows from the heart of Dena mountains covered in dense forests. It fascinates visitors in spring and summer.
Yasuj forest park: in an area of 80 hectares, the park is the largest forest park in the south of the country. Located in the north of Yasuj, it’s covered in trees like oak, mountainous peanuts, Arzan, Acer cineracens and mastic.
Tang-e Mehriyan: the canyon with the beautiful Mehriyan river through it, is located in the north of Yasuj. Its pleasant climate would exhilarate every passerby. Some historical researchers believe that it’s where the Iranian commander, Ario Barzan, closed the path to the army of Alexander the Great.
Ski resort of Kakan: the resort lies in a col known as Baba Hassan. It is located 15 km north of the city. Snow reaches about 2 meters in height. It’s an extremely delightful place for winter sports.
Shah Ghasem Dam Lake: the lovely lake is located 5 km south of Yasuj. It looks like a scenic picture of turquoise-colored water and green oak trees.
Also the shrines of Imamzadeh Shah Ghasem, Shah Mokhtar, Shah Abdollah, Shah Farajollah ( peace be upon them all) around the city receive many pilgrims from across the country.
Tang-e Tamoradi waterfall: it’s situated 55 km from Yasuj and includes 15 waterfalls.

Si-Sakht , a city of 30 champions

Passing through the 1000-year-old forests of oak trees and hillsides of the mighty southern mountains of Dena, you’ll reach a land which looks like a green gem lying on the white slopes of Dena.
This is the land where tall and old oak trees lie together, mountains stand back to back, springs erupt and rivers roar. You are now in Si-Sakht in a mysterious nature.
It’s a city ,35 km northwest of Yasuj, which was named after 30 celebrated heroes of Kai Khosrow (a legendary king of the Kayanian). They were killed in a place known as Bijan col in the heart of Dena mountains. Si means 30 and Sakht means strong.
Kuhgol lake: the lake is located northwest of Si-Sakht , about 8 km from it. The blue gem of a ring decorated with yellow daffodils, violets, and iris around has created an extremely beautiful picture drawn by the Almighy creator. It lies on the heights near the peak of the Kuhgol mountain. To get there, a paved road takes you to Ordugah. From there , you can do mount climbing for a few minutes to enjoy the attraction.
Cheshme Mish spring: one of the natural attractions of the city, it is located 4 km northeast of Si-Sakht. It’s among the most abundant and coolest springs in Zagros. It’s also called Cheshme Beshu.
The protected area of Dena: it encompasses an area of over 80,000 hectares. It’s a haven for Iran’s wildlife including a habitat for 17 Persian fallow deer. Also, Si-Sakht is a hub for mountain and rock climbers thanks to the Dena mountain range with a height of 4448 meters along with numerous peaks over 4000meters high. Thousands of domestic and foreign mount climbers go up Dena during the year.
Ghash Mastan, Bijan- Do Va Se, Ghezel Gholle, Borj-e Asemani, Hoze Dal, etc are among soaring peaks.
Lema: the ancient village near the Bashar river is a place where human graves, dating back to 3000BC, were found.
Kerik: the village, on the Yasuj-Si-Sakht path, has a texture which resembles Masule’s. It is filled with gardens of apple, peach, and grape and garden alleys. The holy shrine of Imamzadeh Shah Askar has made it a spiritual spot.
Gachsaran, Iran’s oil hub, welcomes pilgrims of Bibi Hakimah ( peace be upon her)
The Oil-rich city, produces 25% of Iran’s oil and gas and is considered as Iran’s oil hub. It’s close to the ports of Deilam and Ganaveh and is on the transit path from the Persian Gulf to the center of the country. It has several pilgrimage and recreational resorts and every year receives thousands of domestic and foreign visitors.

Bibi Hakima shrine

The tomb of Bibi Hakima, Imam Reza’s sister, is located 80 km south of the city of Gachsaran. Every year thousands of Ahlul Bayt lovers from across Iran and the Persian Gulf littoral states come over for pilgrimage.

Shalaldan canyon

The beautiful green region would marvel visitors in spring.
Green hills of Basht and the canyon in the cities of Gachsaran and Basht have created a tremendously attractive spot. Among its historical places are Kheirabad Chahar Taghi and the ancient relic of Do Gur-e Do Pa.
Belad-e Shapur, displaying architecture in Safavid Era
The old city of Dehdasht , which is now beside the new city of Dehdasht, is known as Belad-e Shapur. With an area of 40 hectares, it dates back to the Safavid Era , at least.
The city was once a flourishing area and had towers, bulwarks and bastions the remains of which exist now. It has a unique geographical location. In the Safavid Era, it connected their capital to the southern ports and was near the city of Arjan(now known as Behbahan) and therefore played a big role in the commerce then.

Tang-e Sarvak relief

The reliefs are located 50 km north of Behbahan in Bahmai. They date back to 299 AD i.e. the Parthian era and are believed to belong to Alymayy princes.

Bilqis spring in Charam

In a garden in the city of Charam ,which is a fascinating attraction, there are several springs flowing from the north. Their water gets into several streams in a system which has been built with a remarkable architecture and finally pours into a beautiful pool. The garden is 2 km east of the city and welcomes visitors all year round especially in Farvardin ( the first month of the Iranian year , April).
The province is close to the southern ports and the blue Persian Gulf and allows visitors to pay a visit to both Dena Mountains and the Persian Gulf in less than half a day. Apart from its wonderful nature, it has intimate, warm and hospitable people who receive guests lovingly and willingly and share all they have with them generously.