Unknown tourist attractions

A land we don’t know about

Shiraz is famous for its Persepolis, Hafeziye, and Shahcheragh Shrine,Yazd for its Cyprus-like windwards, Isfahan for its low-water Zayande Rood river (the living river), smoky Naghsh-e-Jahan Square and wonderful Chehel Sotoon Palace (mansion) and Tabriz for its dreamy bazaar. Yet there are some unknown wonders which are not only parallel to the well-known ones but are even more ancient, magnificent, and outstanding. This week we visit 10 Iran’s rarely visited tourist attractions:

Qorban Tower, cradle of civilization

Hamedan, a legendary city with its shining and rich history, has long been home to civilization, science, art, wisdom, and mysticism. It has many attractions like Qorban tower in the Zandiha neighborhood near the Ibn-e-Sina high school. The 12-sided brick building has a12-sided pyramid-like dome. On its ceiling is an inscription which dates back to 1009 AH. After a visit to the tower you can take a cable car, pass by Meysan Square and pay a visit to a waterfall, and then see inscriptions reflecting Persian culture and civilization.

Sisakht, Dena’s gem

Nestled in a spectacular landscape, it is located 35 km from Yasooj, the capital of Kohkiluye and Boyerahmad, southwest of Iran. It will sweep tourists away with its breathtaking waterfalls, springs, mountains and lakes. The mountainous area has roaring waterfalls like Nari and Koohgol. The largest spring, known as Mishi, is situated down Bijan col and provides water for its farmlands. Sardu, Tagi and Toof springs overlook the tourist city and are on the way to Dena Mountain. They are always cool. Since the city lies on the slopes of Dena in the Zagros mountain range, it’s surrounded by oak trees and dense vegetation. Put it on your must-see list.

Kord Khord, beautiful pond

Known as Agh Gol, it is near Kord Khord village, south of the Nahavand field. It has created superb scenery with its unique and beautiful vegetation and mountain called Cat. It is a natural habitat for beautiful migrating birds like flamingos, plovers, herons, Ab chileks, ducklings, geese, and gulls. It is recommended to visit in late winter or early spring to have an outstanding watch.

Serve, beauty border

Located 55 km northwest of Uromiyeh, the border city is a place for customs and transits. It’s cold as it is adjacent to the high mountains on the border. The intact and beautiful area is a gateway to Turkey. On a path leading to the border there are separated stores called border markets. The main border market is opposite a gas station and has 2 directions: go left for shoes and right for clothes. Therefore you can not only visit this charming area but also do some shopping.

Songhor, a hunting bird

Located 85 km northeast of Kermanshah, it is a remarkable and beautiful area. Placed in a beautiful flat plain, it’s surrounded by rivers, grassland, gardens, and woodland. Its peaks glow with snow which remains there till late summer. The natives say there used to be a hunting bird called Songhor which belonged only to the area and had no parallel around the world. The city touches Gharve in north, Sanandaj in northeast, Asadabad in the east, and Kermanshah in the south and southeast. Among its attractions are caves known as Avaze Kabutar( bird songs) on the Songhor-Kermanshah road, Bezeh rood castle in Bezeh rood village, and the crypt of Goor Dakhme Darband. You must also visit its underground spring 5 km from Songhor on the road to Kermanshah, near Taze Abad village. Its water issues rapidly from Sarab Mountain under pressure. Warm in winter and cold in summer, it provides water for adjacent villages and then runs into Ghara Su (black water) river.

Kalmakre cavern, the world’s 6th largets treasure

Lorestan province should also be a must- see. It has natural attractions like Abe Sefid waterfall, Bishe waterfall, the broken bridge, Kashkan Bridge, Shatte Tami Lake, and Kugan cave. But few know about a beautiful cave known as Kalmakreh.
The cave, in the east of PolDokhtar Mountains, is hidden as its forehead is 1.5 m more front than its mouth. A shepherd found it and then it was registered as the 6th largest treasure in the world. The ancient objects in the cave remained from the Achaemenid period are now in the museums abroad.

History according to Kahak and Voshnove

As soon as you get into the traditional market in Qom where visitors get to buy Sohan( a local sweet made of wheat germ, oil, sugar and pistachio), Mohr (small tablets or mats on which Muslims prostrate when worshipping God) and Sajjade ( decorated cloth for keeping Mohr), its scent delights you. The charming salt lake is a must-see.
The lake is a salt desert, east of Qom, and has water only in winter. Salt layers extracted in the south of the lake in early summer are really beautiful. Hoze Sultan (king’s pond) lake is also famous. But the most gorgeous place in Qom lies in Ardehal Mountain, 60 km from Qom, where there are 4 beautiful caves. One known as Voshnoveh has a large source of water which flows down a crack in the heart of mountain and ejects like a spring.
Kahak, a city surrounded by mountains from 3 sides, has a mild climate. To its east lies Zeydan village, with the shrine of Imamzade Zeynab Khatoon, Mulasadra house, and Kahak cave. The cave is 30 km from Qom. Don’t miss it.

Keshe village, village of mosques

It is 35 km from Natanz and 100 km from Isfahan. It has mountains, the most famous of which is Karkas Mountain (vulture’s mountain). Despite all the beauties its gardens offer, it is still unknown to many visitors. It includes19 locals: Khake Sephid, Honuye, Dare Hoseiniye, Dare Garage, Baghla, Pariyar, Var Takhte, Esber, Pakamar, Mahiye, Rooye Ghale, Dare Hamam, Allah Abad, Gohar, Karbalai Ali, Baghnare, Marchoon, Laje and Sarchesme. It is home to various beautiful mosques.

Tarom , Iran’s India

Located in the north of Zanjan province, its agriculture and livestock are developed thanks to its large river of Ghezel Ozen and streams. It has pleasant, peaceful and delightful attractions like the lake of Sefidrood dam, slopes, forests, a spa known as Allah Belaghi, Kharmane Sar cave, Tashvir village, Shahneshin village, summer villages, and garden landscapes. Its rice patches look like India’s. Its valuable monuments include Shemiran and Sunsiz castles, the shrines of Imamzade Heydar, Imamzadegan Oof and Hashem, Tarom’s Chartaghi, fire temples of Tashvir, Elzin and Pircham which have made Tarom a beautiful area which is worth a visit.

Nekarman, city of rivers and springs

Known as Nekarman or Nokarman, it is located in Kharaghan rural district, in Bastam, 35 km from the north of Shahrood before Majan. Travel 13 km from Shahrood on the road to Majan to reach there. Within the path on the slope of Shahvar mountain, there is a beautiful and small waterfall which is used as a mark for mountain climbers.
Nekarman and Tash villages are on the way to reach the peak. The 15-km season -river runs from the south slopes of Shahvar mountain and its origins are clear springs. It meets Tashvir on its way. It is dry in warm seasons. It has beauties to offer in Ghatarzereshk and Cheshme Hftrang Farahzad. The intact attraction, known only to few, would marvel visitors.