Iranian hospitality has always been one of the most characteristic attributes of the nation. In recent years Iran has strengthened her capabilities to host more tourists every year. Passengers can come to Iran by air, sea or roads and railways via scores of international borders around the country. In fact what makes Iran attractive for tourists from all over the world is what led to its focal importance on the historically significant silk road: wholehearted hospitality plus numerous opportunities for trade and tourism.

Traveling in Iran is fin. One enjoys visiting various parts of the country with people of strong character, colorful outfit and various ways of speaking, cooking, working and living in general. The food, dress, and the shape of houses in northern (ran is absolutely different from what you may see in the south, east or west of the country. In fact the variety in ways of life is as colorful as the variety in natural surroundings.

In this chapter, we discuss how one can get from none part of the country. to another and offer some tips about things that worth keeping in mind. A trip by road may be the most interesting but not necessarily the most comfortable as distances may sometimes be too long for the average traveler.

Few people know that Abadan is an Island before looking it up on a map The city which is located on the northern end of the persian Gulf is the site of iran oldest and largest oil refinery and the focal point of the country's oil industry. It is now a major example of post war reconstruction (see post war Reconstruction)

Ahwaz is the capital city of khuzestan province. It has been a major industrial city since the 1970s . There are several steel plants and rolling mills around this city which is also a mijor center of agricultural activities which of course go on its outskirts. There are several colleges, univercities, hospital,and factories in and aruond ahwaz . The country's first medical school , The Jundi Shapur , opened in Ahwaz more than ten centuries ago.

The city of Abadeh is located 280 kilometers northeast of Shiraz on the way to Isfahan. It is an old city with remains of historical fortresses around it. The people in this area are primantly farmers and cattle breeders. Woodwork, cotton shoemaking and carpet weaving are among the crafts practiced in this city. Abadeh has a guest house for tourists.

The ancient city of Amol is at the gateway to the road which heads to Tehran and dates back to times  before the Safavid dynasty.   Some historians say the city was  a highly developed town even   in  pre-historic  times.  There  are  a     number of historically and religiously significant buildings in Amol.

Located on the fertile slopes of Mount  Sabalan  in  northwestern Iran, Ardabil is  the capital of a new province with the same name. Most of the tourist attractions  in  Ardabil come from mother nature.  The city and its countryside's natural beauty;  the abundant  mineral water  springs that   sometimes  have  therapeutic   attributes; the triple peaks  of Sabalan and  their lake ; and the   fertile  Moghan plain to name a few.
 
The  shrine of Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili , and the    city's  traditional Bazar    (which supplies many colorful domestic   goods,  beautiful clothing and delicious honey.)
 
Gavmish Guli (The Bull Spring), a  natural hot water pool owing its warmth to dormant  volcanoes in   the  region, is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Ardabil.

This highland city was the birth place of militant clergyman Seyed Jamaleddin Assadabadi who advocated Islamic solidarity. Assadabad is the site of Iran's telecommunications satellite center.

Located on the border between Iran and the republic of Azerbaijan, the city of Astara subsists on agriculture and tourism. It is a city of many attractions and its located on the road that links Tehran to Ardabil.

There are 58 villages around Astara with inhabitants whose way of life is unique in each village.

At the city's market place one can find goods from both sides of the border at competitive prices.

Since the    time   of  the Safavid dynasty Babol located near the Caspian sea, has  been one of the biggest cities of the province of Mazandaran.  The  shrine of  Emamzadeh Ebrahim is one of the city's major tourist   sights.  A short  distance  from  Babol  is the city's beautiful seaside resort, named Babolsar.

The small city of Baft is located in highlands of Iran about 170 kilometers south of Kerman; Baft an  alpine climate. Baft is situated in a nomadic tribal area where weaving carpets, felt carpets, gelims and jajims is the major handicraft.

The enchanting and historical city of Bam is located 200 kilometers southeast of Kerman and has a  tropical climate which enables  and excellent farming, citrus gardens and palm plantations. Bam's historical background dates back to legendary times. The remains of the old city of Bam (which was inhabited until the early Qajar period)  are located in a six square kilometer wide area on top of a hill in the vicinity of Bam. It is called Arg-i-Bam (The Citadel of Bam). The citadel is one of the most interesting historical sights of Iran and an  example of the style of urban planning and social life in the regions that were designed to protect the poeple  threatened by the invasion of enemies; tall walls and ditches around the citadel, circles of residential quarters and  the ruler's building on a hilltop at the center. Parts of the buildings at the citadel are still intact.

Bam was a highly reputed city along the silkroad. Today's city has both visitors and residents, tourist guest houses, restaurants and the other services serving. A main road links Bam to the center of the province.

Only   10 meters higher  than  sea level, Bandar  Abbas has  been a major harbor  since  the time   of   the achaemenids when it was called Gamberon and   its importance came mainly from being a commercial  center.
 
Among the many historical   buildings  of Bandar Abbas  are  the  Kolah Farangi Building, The Khajeh  Khezr Shrine, the old  Green Mosque , The Indian Temple,  The Shrines  of  Seyed Mozaffar and Emamzadeh Kamel and Emamzadeh Shah Mohammad Taghi at the Imam Mosque.

35 kilometers north of   Rasht,  at the Caspian sea Bandar Anzali is the  most ignificant Iranian port city. The gulf of  Anzali   provides a natural harbour  for incoming   and outgoing ships  and plays a major  role  in bilateral trade between Iran, Russia and the Central Asian Republiccs.
 
For   tourists, the city is surrounded by an  extremely  beautiful countryside,  exotic wild life and a traditional fish market.

Located in a mountainous  region 251 kilometers far from Bandar Abbass, Langeh has a historical background of 2500 years.

Less than  70 years old, this port city is the eastern extreme point of the northern wing of Iran's cross country railways.  The city's economy is  based on fisheries ;    and   its  markets are abundant in   turkoman handicrafts.

Bardsir is a small city 55 kilometers southwest of Kerman on the road to Sirjan and has a  mild climate, several rivers, lakes and springs. Bardsir is an old city. It was called Ardashir at the time of the Sassanids. It was totally destroyed during the invasion of Mongols. Bardsir's location on the Kerman-Sirjan- Bandar Abbas road makes important as a crossroads of trade.

Located at the   border between the  upper Mazandaran   region and  the plain of Gorgan, Behshahr is an industrial and agricultural town.

It is located 500 kilometers south of Mashad in a dry desert area with varying climatic conditions. There are a number of interesting sights in Birjand like the Jami' Mosque, the tomb of Hakim Abu Hamed the poet, the citadel, the Akbarieh building, the tomb of Ibn Hessam and several old ortresses. There is a tourist guest house in Birjand.

Bojnourd is located 250 kilometers northwest of Mashad along the Tehran-Mashad road and on the slopes of Mount Aladagh. This old city of Khorassan province has a moderate climate. It was a significant governorate at the time of the Qajars. Interesting historical buildings have remained from that time including Ayeneh Khaneh (The Mirror House) and Mofakham Hospital. The tomb of Baba Tavakkol the 10th century poet, the shrine of Imamzadeh Sultan Seyed Abbassi, Baba Aman recreation center and Besh Ghardash mineral water spring. Bojnourd has a hotel and a tourist guest house.

The city of Damavand is located 75 kilometers northeast of Tehran on the slopes of the magnificent Mount Damavand with enchanting natural scenery, several orchards and a pleasant climate that makes it a desirable summer resort. Many springs of cold and hot mineral water around Damavand have therapeutic qualities. Damavand is an historical city. Its grand Jami' Mosque (which dates back to 15th century)  and a number of shrines in the city are evidence of the great history of this city.

Firouzkouh, one of the districts of Damavand city is a cold mountainous area with vast pastures ideal for raising animals.

One of the largest and oldest cities of Fars province, Darab is located 280 kilometers east of Shiraz on the road to Bandar Abbas. In old times the city was called Darabgerd. The ruins of the old city are located on the southwestern of the present city. There are Sassanid reliefs like the portrait of Shapur, the Azarju fire temple, as well as a number of shrines in Darab and its suburbs. Among the handicrafts of this city are carpets, Gelims, Jajims, Ceramic works and cotton shoes. Darab's major agricultural products are dates and citrus fruits. The city has a tourist guest house.

Located in a hot weather highland 270 kilometers northwest of Mashad, Daregaz  is located at the border of the Republic of Turkmenistan  (previously called Mohammadabad).

This city called Mehrjan in olden times is located 370 kilometers west of Mashad with a distance of 50 kilometers from the railway station.

This mountainous city has borrowed its name from the word "Stah" meaning grapes. Located 190 kilometers east of Shiraz it is an old city in which carpets and felt carpets are woven, ceramics and cotton shoes are made and the main agricultural activity is gardening. There are many holy shrines for pilgrims in Estahban; and there is a guest house that hosts tourists.

This is also a mountainous city located in the  highlands near Abadeh on the road to Shiraz. It is an old city with many  historical monuments like the Jami' Mosque  and several epigraphs with towers around it. There is a tourist guest house in Eghlid.

Fassa is located 160 kilometers southeast of Shiraz along the main road from Darab to Bandar Abbas. Fassa is a very old city. There are still Sassanid period remains in  the ruins of the ancient city now known as Tall-i-Zahhak. People of this region work in the agriculture and animal husbandry; their major agricultural products are date and citrus fruits. Carpet weaving, cotton shoe making and ceramics are among the city's handicrafts while there are also some modern industries including a sugar mill and some industrial workshops in the city. There are a number of holy shrines in Fassa. There is also a guest house to host tourists.

A small city in the southern part of Khorassan province, Ferdows was previously called Tun. It is located in a distance of 180 kilometers from Tabas on the road from Tabas to Yazd and Kerman. This city plays a significant role in the area. The 16th century buildings of Ulia and Habibieh schools, the Seljuk period Jami' Mosque, the Koushk Mosque and the Ismaeilid fortress of Hassanabad are among the historical monuments of this city.

Firouzabad is located in a mountainous region ten kilometers south of Shiraz on the way to the city of Lar. It is an old city built next to the ancient city of Gur. The name of the city dates back to the time of Deylamite dynasty. There are several Sassanid period monuments like an old tower, the ruins of Gur, Ghaleh Dokhtar, and Fire Temple in Firouzabad. Most of the people of Firouzabad work in agriculture and animal husbandry. Carpets and Gelims are among the area's handicrafts. Firouzabad has a tourist guest house.

Although Ghaem Shar is one of the industrial cities of Mazandaran province,  it has beautiful handicrafts like ceramics and textiles.

This city is made up of several districts with Ghayen as the center located  at a distance of 400 kilometers from Mashad, Ghayen is an old city that has been mentioned in the travelogues of Nassir-i-Khosrow and Marco Polo. The Jami' Mosque of Ghayen is an old monument which was reconstructed in the 14th century. The major agricultural product of this region is saffron.

A one hour drive Northwest of Tehran on a modern expressway one will find Ghazvin. A traditional city from every respect, Ghazvin is at the crossroads that leads to Kurdistan, Hamadan, Gilan or one of the three Azerbaijan provinces.

One The country's capital (before Tehran), Ghazvin is rich Qajar period architecture. There are also older buildings and monuments in the city including its enchanting mosques and market place.

In the vicinity of Ghazvin, A number of Iran's major industrial sites are located in the Alborz Industrial Township.

A main road (150 kms in distance) links Mashad to Ghouchan,  mountainous city with temperate summers and very cold winters. The city's old name was Khaboushan. There is a hotel and a tourist guest house in this city.

This city includes the districts of Bidokht and Bajestan and the central district of Gonabad (previously called Jouymand). The 13th century Jami' Mosque, Imamzadeh Sultan Mhammad Abed in Kakhak, the ancient Jami' Mosque of Jouymand and the tomb of Joghtay the Mongol Ilkhan are among the historical monuments of this city. Gonabad has a tourist guest house.

Located on  the extreme point in the  eastern wing  of Mazandaran, this city which was  built  more than a thousand years ago  was ruined twice by   Mongols  and  the   Timurids   before its  reconstruction in   present times.  Most of the dwellers   of this region are Torkman tribesmen. The shrine of Yahyabbn-e  Zaid is  one of  its historical buildings.

Objects dating  back  to more  than 6000 years ago  have been unearthed in excavations  in Gorgan. Among the historical  buildings of this city are  the  Ammarieh School ,  the Jame Mosque,  and the   Agha Mohammad Khan  building.  One  of  the  largest   natural parks of  the country is located  in the vicinty of Gorgan on  the  way to Mashad  in Khorassan province.

Hamadan is one of the oldest cities of not only Iran but of the world. Its historical origins date back to several centuries before Christ. Hamadan, which was the summer capital of the Median and Achaemenid empires was then called Ekbatan or Heg mataneh; meaning a place for gathering together. Hamadan is one of the cradles of Oriental civilization with legendary background.

 The Hamadan of today is located in a distance of  36 kilometers from Tehran on the slopes of Mount Alvand. The city is stretched around a star-like square named after Imam Khomeini (PBUH). Out of this square which has preserved its old and beautiful style of architecture, six avenues diverge from the angles of the star. Hamadan has been developed and renovated to a great extent in recent years and this has changed the city's old texture gradually. There are still old neighborhoods with nostalgic names in Hamadan besides its large modern streets   and beautiful parks. There are plenty of  historical monuments and places in Hamadan to be visited by everybody. These include the Stony Lion or the stone lion which is a big Parthian period monument that was made to look like a lion. It is believed that there once was a counterpart for this monument.

In the city's suburb, at the end of the beautiful Abbassabad valley, thee are two stone reliefs on the rocks of Mount Alvand. One of them had been carved at the time of King Darius and the other at the time of King Khashayarsha, both of the Achaemenid dynasty, and their contents  praise God, Ahura Mazda,  reveal the family tree of the monarchs and pray for their country's integrity.

The Alavid Dome is the most important Islamic period monument in Hamadan. It is a square building of late Seljuk period with a masterly plaster- worked interior.  A basement in this building contains the tombs of two Alavid noblemen.

Ghorban Tower is a 12 sided plain brick building with a pyramid shaped dome. It is located in the eastern part of the city; and there is a tomb in its basement.

The Tombs of Estar and Merdkhay are the graves of two Jewish noblemen whose names appear in the Old Testament. The building is made with bricks and stone on the graves of Khashayarsh's wife (Estar) and his uncle (Merdkhay). There are antique wooden boxes and manuscripts of the Old Testament inside the building.

The tomb of great Iranian scientist, Avicenna, is in Hamadan with a building and dome built in 1954. The design of the dome is inspired by the Shape of  Ghabous Voshmgir Tower. There is a library with a number of manuscripts in this building. In the court yard of the building, there is the tomb of late Qajar period poet and song writer Abolghassem Aref.

The tomb of the writer of many romantic couplets, Baba Taher Orian, is in Hamadan. The building of the great mystic's tomb has been built in a beautiful park northwest of Hamadan in recent years.

The devotedly faithful people of Hamadan have always paid respectful attention to holy shrines. There are several mosques, mausoleums and shrines in Hamadan including Imamzadeh Farzand-i-Ali, Imamzadeh Esmaeil, Imamzadeh Abdullah, the Jami' Mosque  and Khaneghah.

There is a regular bus service from Tehran's bus terminal to Hamadan everyday. There are also three flights to Hamadan every week. Hamadan has two hotels (Bu Ali and Yas) and several guest houses and hostels.

Bu Ali Hotel  Tel: 081 - 33070 - 2
Yas Hotel  Tel: 081 - 23464

The General Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Hamadan (Tel: 20093 and 27022) will put more information at the visitors' disposal.

Isfahan prbably is one of the few Iranian cities that stand almost close to a tourist's expectation of a Persian town. It is a monument of Safavid period with a large number of elements that are reminiscent of the glory and splendour of Islamic and Persisan civilization.

Situated on the slopes of mount Zagross in the center of Iranian plateau, Isfahan is a city taken shape on a fertile land which is irrigated by Zayandeh Roud (the life-giving river). Yet, the city has a rather industrial outlook now owing to the rising number of large and small industries in and around it.

It is only a 400 km journey far from the capital, less than one hour of an air trip by numerous flights that leave Tehran and many other Iranian cities for Isfahan everyday. A trip by road may be a very good opportunity to find out even more about the colorful variety of environment in Iran.

The world famous Persian Art is still living in Isfahan where there are many practicing artists in different fields of the fine arts that are seen on textile, clay, ceramics, metals and tapestry. Watching a traditional artisan at his workshop can be one of the many enjoyable things one can do in an afternoon in Isfahan. On the other hand, a walk anywhere in the town is next to visiting a living museum.

Highlights of that living museum can be visited at Maidan-e Naghsh-e Jahan where there is an abundance of examples of Safavid period Persian architecture, including the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Imam Mosque, the Ali Qapu, and the main gate to the Bazar. All this is located in the vicinity of the Chehel Sotun (fourty pillars) palace. Elswhere in the town, but not too far from Naghsh-e Jahan, are places like the Jame Mosque, and several ancient bridges that cross Zayandeh Roud; and there are even more to see during a peaceful walk in  Avenue Chahar Bagh.

There are many hotels and guest houses in Isfahan to meet the taste of every tourists. Definitely one of the bests is Hotel Abbasi (tel:226011) to be followed by Kossar (tel: 2402309), and Ali Qapu (tel: 231382).

Jahrom, which is located 193 kilometers southeast of Shiraz on the way to the city of Lar, is an old city that is famous for its citrus fruit orchards, palm plantations and tobacco farms. It is an agricultural city that produces carpets and exports date, lemon juice and citrus fruits. There are many holy shrines and historical monuments like the Sassanid Zoroastrian Fortress (Ghaleh Gabri) in Jahrom.

This city is located in a tropical area 265 kilometers south of Kerman. Extensive agricultural activities go on in the region with both tropical and cold region output along activities in the area of animal husbandry. Jiroft is linked to Bandar Abbas and Bam by a main road. Sabzevaran, center of Jiroft region,  is one of the major pillars of agriculture in the province.

An interesting monument in Jiroft is the tomb of Akhund in Kouhbonan.

Located 50 kilometers north of Hamadan, Kabudarahang is a water-rich agricultural zone whose development started a few years ago.

Kahnouj is located 350 kilometers south of Kerman after Jiroft at an altitude of only 505 meters above sea level. Its climate is hot. The river Halil Roud flows across this region and pours into Jazmourian swamp. Kahnouj produces citrus fruits, date and vegetables. The city is linked to Bandar Abbas by a main road.

The city of Karaj is located 48 kilometers west of Tehran with a population of nearly one million and two hundred thousand people and an increasing rate of development and population growth. Karaj region consists of Taleghan, Savajbolagh, Shahryar, Robat Karim, and Eshtehard districts; all considered to be recreation resorts for the people of Tehran and Karaj. This city has a high capacity for agricultural and industrial activities. The Karaj river and valley are among the country's most beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, the city is highly important from as far as communication is concerned; because it is the crossroads of all the westerly and northerly routes of the country. The Karaj dam supplies a major part of Tehran's power and water requirements; and its beautiful lake with several sports facilities is a major tourist attraction.

Famous for its precious Persian carpets and astounding rose gardens, Kashan in central Iran and on the outskirts of the country's central salt desert is destination to several sightseeing tours almost everyday, particularly in mid spring when a monumental rosewater making festival s going on in the gardens and villages around it.

The Fin Garden and Bath, scores of mosques in the city as well as the attributes of the city's vernacular architecture are among the tourist attractions of Kashan.

For many   centuries the small  village  of Ardahal  in the vicinity of  Kashan has  been witness to a unique ritual  ceremony  which is held in  that village  every year on a certain day. The people of  this  village go to Ardahal on that  day rom anywhere they happen to  be in order  to  take the carpet  at the shrine  of Imamzadeh  Sultan   Ali Bin Mohammad  Bagher (AS) to a  spring  named after Shahzadeh Hussain and to wash  it  there in the course of a ritual ceremony. The ritual ceremony has  been   regularly  held since thirteen  centuries ago.

Kashmar is located 240 kilometers southwest of Mashad in a mountainous desert region  with fluctuating climatic conditions. The city's old name was Torshiz, a city with prolonged historical background. The books of history say there is a cedar tree planted by prophet Zoroaster in Kashmar. The 13th century Firouzabad Minaret, the Seljuk period Aliabad Tower, Bagh-i-Mazar and the Safavid period shrine of Imamzadeh Hamzeh are among the cultural monuments of Kashmar. The late Ayatollah Seyed Hassan Modarress was exiled to, and later martyred and buried in Kashmar.

Kazeroun is located 150 kilometers west of Shiraz on the mountainous road to Bushehr. It is a city of ancient background in the vicinity of the ruins of Shapur city. The name Kazeroun is somehow linked with the profession of the dwellers of the old city: washing cotton clothes. The Shapur Cave, the site of a huge statue of the Sassanid king Shapur, is a major sight to be seen by tourist who come to Kazeroun. The city has many holy shrines. Its people work in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry and their most important products are date, citrus fruits, grains and tobacco. There are urban facilities and a guest house in Kazeroun.

The capital of Kerman province is the old and historical city of Kerman, located in a distance of 1060 kilometers fro m Tehran. The name of this city appears in the pre-Islamic period texts. It was a large and prosperous city at the time of the Sassanids. The  remains of monuments like the Ardashir Fortress, Ghaleh Dokhtar and a number of fire temples that date bak to that period witness this historical background. The city's prosperity continued in the post-Islamic period as it was the country's capital during the reign of Gharakhataees, Atabaks and a number of the Seljuks. The city was further developed at the time of the Safavids when the Ganj-Ali Khan complex, named after the city's ruler, was built; and the flourishing went ahead at the time of Zand dynasty monarchs. Some urban establishments like the bazar, mosque and caravansrai have remained from that period. However, after the Qajars rose to power and Agha Mohammad Khan the Qajar monarch killed many of the city's people for their support of Lotf-Ali Khan Zand, the city underwent a major decline and its recovery took scores of years.

Besides its old texture; with its long shady streets, clay and straw roofs, and dusty arches and penthouses the new city of Kerman has been developed and reconstructed . Now it is a city with every facility for travelling and urban life like hotels, travel agencies, airport, railway station, city transportation, restaurants,etc.  Further to a grand tourist guest house, Kerman has several first and second class hotels like Sahra, Amin, Kerman, Naz, Pariz and Akhavan to host incoming tourists.

The historical monuments of Kerman include ,among other monuments, the Ganj-Ali Khan complex including the bath, school, bazar and caravansrai; the Ibrahim Khan complex including the school, bath and caesarea; the Vakil Bazar and Srai, the 14th century grand Jami' mosque, the 11th century Imam Khomeini (Malek) mosque, the 12th century Pamenar mosque, Moshtaghieh Dome (the tomb of Moshtagh-Ali Shah), the Jabalieh Dome, Ghaleh Dokhtar, the Fortress of Ardashir, the tomb of Atabak, the fine architecture and plaster works at the shrine of Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hassan, and the Chehelsotoun Mosque of Haj Ali Agha. However, a visit to the bazar and carpet weaving workshops would be very interesting. Kerman's grand bazar which is about 3 kilometers long, is by itself a historical work of art dating back to the times of the Safavids and Zands.

The capital of  Kermanshahan  province in  western  Iran  has its roots deep in the Sassanid period. The older part of the city  which is built in the  Islamic style is located on a U shaped slope. Mount Bisotun and the river Gharasu are part of the city's identity.
 
The stone relief on Bisotun is reminiscent of an age old tragic love story whose    protagonists are  Khosrow and Shirin. Many   children in Kermanshah are named after them.  Gypsies around  the town usually wear black to mark their mourning  for the  ancient lovers. In fact , one of the most colorful rituals in Kermanshah is that of mourninng   by women who pretend     to   be  whirling  their hair  around  their  wrist and scratching their faces.
 
One of the historical   monuments of Kermanshah is  Tagh Bostan and the lake in its vicinity is   one of  the  most  beautiful   places in  the province. People in the region believe that Jam-i Jam,   an ancient cup that reveals the secrets of the  whole world  is  now at the  buttom of the lake, however, it comes to surface very once in a while.

This is one of  the most beautiful  Islands of the Persian  Gulf region with several  tourist attractions  and scores of shopping centers  that are unmactched all across the region. The Island's  climatic conditions are favorable at least for 8 months every year. The Island is known  as pearl of the Persian Gulf and is a free trade zone.

This 250 year old city has  the roots of its history in the days of the Safavid dynasty.  The Radkan  Tower of Kordkooy has Kufic  inscriptions on it that date back to about a thousand years ago.

Once   a flourishing  silk producer, Lahijan now is Iran's  tea country with beautiful tea plantations  that play a highly  significant role in the city's economy.  In fact , 8700 out of the country's 30000 hectares of ploughed lands are in Lahijan.
 
Located in    the vicinity of   Rasht , Lahijan has  several historical monuments including the Jame  Mosque, Akbarieh Mosque, the Golshan Bath and the tomb of Sheikh Zahed Gilani.

Located 360 kilometers southeast of Shiraz, Lar is the province's second largest  city after Shiraz. It is an ancient city which had a certain importance as a focal point at the time of the Sassanids. The new city has been built near the ruins of an ancient city by the same name whose urban texture is still visible as a sight to see. The shortage of water has limited the city's agricultural activities; however, its major products are mainly grains, date and cotton. Lar has a tourist guest house.

The tomb of renowned mystic and sufi, Shah Nematollah Vali, with its beautiful architecture and masterly tile works by Safavid period artists is located in Mahan, in a distance of 35 kilometers from Kerman. Mahan has one of the most beautiful desert scenaries; and at night time its sky is so limpid and inspiring with big bright stars. There is a tourist guest house in Mahan.

Marvdasht is located on a smooth plain by the river Kor in a distance of 45 kilometers from Shiraz. Its importance is owing to the existence of sugar, petrochemical, meat processing and some other industries while handicrafts like carpet and rug weaving are also prevailing in Marvdasht. The city's importance from the viewpoint of tourism is its proximity to Persepolis, Naghsh-i-Rustam and Passargada.

The holy city of Mashad, with the shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) , the eighth Imam of shiite sect as its focal point, is located in a  distance of 850 kilometers from Tehran.  Millions   of   people pay pilgrimage  to  the  holy  shrine   , undoubtedly the largest  and  most magnificent of its kind, every year.  The  city of  Mashad and its suburbs have a population of    more  than two million. The  city's   climatic conditions are unstable with  very cold winters , usually mild summers and   pleasant springs and autumns.
 
The magnificent holy shrine of Imam  Reza and  the historical cultural complex attached to it including the arenas, porticos and porches , The Goharshad Mosque (of  Timurid  period) as  well as its rich museum and library   are the most significant   sight  to   be  seen by any  visitor  and pilgrim. There is magnificent golden dome over   the shrine's building;   surrounded by  several porches. To the west of   the shrine,  there is the Grand Goharshad Mosque , to the southeast the museum and the tomb of  Sheikh Bahaee;   and  on the west there are Parizad and Balasar Schools.  There  are plenty of priceless objects and unique manuscripts at the shrine's library.
 
Other than a number of large beautiful parks, the other sights of Mashad are: the   tomb of Nader  Shah , the national park, Kooh Sangi pool  and recreation center. There are also some  other shrines and sights  outside the city. These include the tomb  of Khajeh Morad  in  a distance of 15 kilometers from Mashad along the  road to Tehran, the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the   city where    there  are  some inscriptions   by    renowned  Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi ,  the   tomb of  Khajeh Abasalt in a distance  of 20 kilometers from  Mashad along the road  to Neishabur. The three  personalities were the disciples of Imam  Reza. Among the other sights are the tomb of great poet Ferdowsi in Tus, 24 kilometers  from Mashad; and  the recreation  resorts at  Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlomod, Zoshk and Shandiz. Mashad is a   tourist city with several hotels   of various classes as well  as scores of hostels for the pilgrims who come to this city from the other parts of the country everyday by tens of flights, trains and buses.

This beautiful village of Gilan province is the destination of several organized tours every week particularly in summer time. The most important feature that highlights the tour is the village's distinct style of architecture. There are numerous rows and rounds of houses on the slopes of a hill with every house's rooftop being another's court.

Other features of Masuleh are the traditional crafts of its people who usually work as carpenters who make beautiful woodwork on doors and windows.

Masuleh is situated along Talesh mountains in a distance of 36 km from the city of Fuman.

It is located 158 kilometers northwest of Shiraz in a mountainous area where most of people work as farmers or cattle breeders. There is an abundance of historical remains from the Parthian, Sassanid and earlier times in Mamassani and Nourabad regions. These include Ilamid reliefs, the Dragon Tower fire temple, the Parthian tower of Nourabad and the Sarab Bahran reliefs.

The city of Malayer is located about 90 kilometers southeast of Hamadan on highlands with mild temperature. Although it is a very old city, yet the new city which was formerly called Dowlatabad was built in early Qajar period. It is a city significant from the commercial point of view as it is located on the way to Khuzestan. There are some caves like Darreh Farakh and Sardkouh as well as the remains of some old fortresses around this city. Malayer has urban and medical facilities as well as guest houses and parks.

Located 150 kilometers south of Hamadan, Nahavand is a historical city. It was the site of the last war between Iranian Sassanid troops and the Arab muslim warriors. There are still some remains of  ancient Nahavand  on the slopes of a hill. Nahavand had been one of the centers of pre-Arian civilization. The precious objects unearthed in Gian Hill region reveal that there lived pre-historic civilized people with progressive arts and culture in this region. Meanwhile, Achaemenid and Sassanian remains have been found in Gara Chogha village in the vicinity of Nahavand. This city has old neighborhoods with urban establishments to meet the people's requirements. It is a cold city with agricultural products like grains and fruits and handicrafts like rugs.

This city is located 220 kilometers east of Shiraz in the vicinity of Lake Bakhtegan. Excavations made in the region have revealed the area's age-old civilization. At the time of the Achaemenids Nayriz was a major producer of weapons. The city's Grand Jami' Mosque has probably been a Zoroastrian fire temple before being turned into a mosque. The main occupations of the region's people are agriculture and animal husbandry, but the shortage of water constitute their main problem.

The historical and famous city of Neishabur is located in a distance of 150 kilometers from Mashad by the Khorassan Railways. The pre-Islamic period background of Neishabur is evidenced by the ancient hills and the remains of fire temples as well as the name Neishabur. This is a well developed city with flourishing agriculture and varying climatic conditions.

Neishabur was first the center of Khorassan province ,but it was totally ruined and its people massacred during the invasion of Mongols. This city is the birth and burial place of a number of leading Iranian poets and mystics like Omar Khayam and Faridoddin Attar. Among the sights in this city are the tomb of Imamzadeh Mahrough, the Jami' Mosque and the tomb of renowned Iranian painter Kamalolmolk in the vicinity of the tombs of Khayam and Attar. Neishabur has several hotels and tourist guest houses.

An ideal tourist resort by the Caspian, Nowshahr  accomodates thousands of private villas  that belong to people from all over  the country for its mild  climate  and beautiful natural  environment.   Nowshahr   has several rivers passing through it.

This is  one  of  the biggest and most  beautiful cities of  Mazandaran which is named  after  the river Noor. There  is a 4000 hectare  forest park in the   vicinity  of Noor.  The  city attracts more tourists than some other cities of the province.

Another  free trade   zone in the Persian  Gulf, Qeshm Island  is  1577 square  kilometers wide. There are a number  of historical sites on the Island  but its importance is mainly   attributed   to   commercial and industrial activities.

While visiting the coasts  of the Persian Gulf, sightseeing in the enchanting forest  of Harra  is a must. Harra is  a forest irrigated by  the sour waters on  the sea ather than  sweet water.  It is sometimes on the water; and under the sea at  ther   times. It moves,   not   with  the  breeze, but with the waves of the sea. Even any of  Iranians  do not know the strange forest which is a unique  tourist  attraction  in southern Iran  with its waterways,  beautiful  birds,  virgin natural  setting   and  untouched wildlife. The panoramic view  of Harra forest is fantastic particularly   when seen from the port of Laft  by the Persian Gulf. The total area  of Harra forest is  7500  hectares with 2400  hectares in the Qeshm Island region.

It is located 127 kilometers west of Kerman in a desert area with dry and semi-desert climate. There is little water in the city and its agriculture is mainly based on the rich pistachio product. There are mines of copper and marble stone in afsanjan. Rafsanjan is particularly important for its location along the roads from Tehran to Kerman, Hormozgan and Sistan & Baluchistan. A tourist guest house at Imam Khomeini street hosts tourists that visit Rafsanjan.

The   capital of Gilan province, Rasht, has its historical roots in the pre-Islamic era  of   Iranian   history, particularly  in the  Sassanid period.
 
Rasht is  a city with many   beautiful gardens. Until late 19th century Rasht was   Iran's gate to  Europe.  Today, however, the  city  is  the administrative center of one  of the country's richest agricultural and industrial provinces; the one that stands only next to   Tehran  as far as population density is concerned.
 
When tourism is  concerned,   Rasht is one of the major gateways to the Caspian coasts with a distance of 320  kilometers from Tehran. Three of the major tourist attractions in Rasht are the shrine of Emamzadeh, Hashem, Dana Ali and the Mohtasham Garden.

Located in the extreme  west point of the province ,  Ramsar is a  city with more  than 700   years of  history  Two   of  the most   beautiful buildings in the city are the two old and  new wings  of Hotel Ramsar, both overlooking the Caspian sea.

Most of the ancient monuments of Gilan province are in Roudbar, a  city built by Sefid Roud (the   white river) on the province's  highlands. A significant part of the archaelogical findings have been   made  on two hills namely Marlic and Cheragh-Ali Tappeh.

Sanandaj   was a big village until about 400 years ago when Kurdistan's overnnor Suleiman Khan Ardalan pronounced it capital of the province. The city has cold  winters  but its weather is fine in the  other three seasons.
 
The city's countryside incluudes some of the finest scenaries of Iran. Mount Abidar ,  located  west   of  Sanandaj has  several mineral water springs that attracts many visitors from Sanandaj and elsewhere.
 
Darol Ehsan  or the Jame Mosque, the Khosrowabad building, and  the old and crowded  spiral Bazar  of Sanandaj are among the city's  historical monuments. Another noteworthy tourist   attraction of Sanandaj   is the Gheshlagh dam and  lake  and  its  small islands. They  are  located 15 kilometers south of Sanandaj.

Sirjan is located in a desert area 180 kilometers southwest of Kerman with hot summers and cold winters. The name Sirjan is the Arabic version of the city's old name Sirgan. There are traces of the old city's historical background around the new city. These include the Firouz fire temple and the stone fortress which is the site of ruins of an ancient city. There are several holy shrines in Sirjan. Among them, the tomb of Seyed Mohammad (Pir-i- Barhagh) which dates back to the Mongol era  is historically significant. Modern plaster, plastic and ceramic industries have been established in Sirjan. This city has a guest house for tourists.

This is a small city based on agricultural economy and handicrafts, particularly carpet weaving. It is located in the western part of Kerman province along the Tehran-Bandar Abbas road. This and the links with Yazd, Rafsanjan and Sirjan give Shahr Babak a certain importance.

As it is evident fro its name, Shahr Babak is an old city that dates back to the time of the Sassanids. Among its agricultural products are grains and pistachio. One of the interesting sights of this region is Meymand village in a distance of 40 kilometers from Shahr Babak. The interconnected houses of this village have been made in the rocks several centuries ago.

Rey, the southern gate of Tehran, has been on of the largest and most significant centers of Iranian civilization with a background dating back to the times of the Achaemenids. The governorship of Rey has always been a top state position. There are many remains from the ancient Rey. In the post-Islamic era Rey lost its previous prosperity; however, it became once again a holy center following the martyrdom and burial of Hazrat Abdol-Azim, a son of Imam Hassan (PBUH) in that city. The shrine, one of the most maginficient of its kind, attracts tens of thousands of Shiite pilgrims everyday. The shrine consists of a golden dome, minarets with tile work, as well as several arenas and porticos and mosques. the oldest part of the building has been made in the year 725 Hejira. The shrines of Imamzadeh Hamza, the son of the seventh Imam of the shiite sect, and Imamzadeh Taher are also located in the vicinity of the shrine of Hazrat Abdol-Azim.
 

Other sights of Rey, too, witness the city's historical background. Among the remains in this city are the ruins of the ancient Rey of Achaemenid and Parthian periods on the Cheshmeh Ali Hill, a Sassanid relief, The Tower Hill, Tabarak Fortress, Toghrol Tower, the Seljuk Drummers' House, the shrine of Bibi Shahrbanou, the tomb of Ibn Babvaih and Harun's prison, a Buyid period building.

Kahrizak and Fashapouyeh are two of the districts of Shahr-i-Rey.

Shemiranat is locate North of Tehran on the Alborz slopes and includes various areas like the central part, Roudbar & Ghassran (Fasham, Ushan, Meygoon, etc.) , Lavassanat and Galanduak . Located among the central Alborz ranges have a beautiful natural setting with a highland cold weather that  makes them an ideal summer recreation resort for the people of Tehran. There are several remains of Qajar monuments in these areas.

The capital of Fars province is the world famous historical and beautiful city of Shiraz; the birth and resting place of the greatest of Persian poets, Hafiz and Sa'di. This makes the city one of the most important tourist attractions of the country. Shiraz is about 900 kilometers far from Tehran at an altitude of 1540 meters above sea level.

This city is located next to the ancient city of Estakhr. Shiraz was mainly flourished and developed in the post-Islamic period. The architectural texture of the city's older neighborhoods mark its age-old historical background. The city witnessed the peak of its prosperity at the time of Karim Khan Zand when it became the country's capital. The city's modern texture has found a new beautiful outlook with large streets, modern buildings and a grand university. Shiraz is the birth place of many great Iranian men of science and letters including Ibn Moghafa, Sibovaih, Sa'di, Ghotbeddin Shirazi, Hafiz, Sheikh Rouzbehan, Molla Sadra and Gha'ani.

The tombs of Hafiz and Sa'di located in two deservingly pleasant gardens by the names of Hafizieh and Sa'dieh are visited everyday by thousands of fans of Persian poetry and literature.  The tomb of Khaju, the 14th century poet is also located in Shiraz at Tang-i-Allahu Akbar. The magnificient holy shrine of Hazrat Seyed Mir Ahmad, son of Imam Mussa (PBUH) - the seventh imam of the Shiite sect - better known as Shah-i-Cheragh which is a major site of Shiite pilgrimage has lent a certain religious significance to Shiraz. There are also a number of other holy shrines in Shiraz including those of Hazrat Seyed Mir Mohammad - Shah-i-Cheragh's brother ,  Hazrat Seyed Aladdin, Hazrat Shah Mir Ali Hamza and Imamzadeh Ibrahim. Meanwhile, Christian and Jewish minorities have their own churches and synagogues in Shiraz.

Shiraz has been always famous for its pleasant gardens, tall cypress trees and heart ravishing rose gardens. The most well known gardens of Shiraz are Bagh-i-Eram with its enchanting building, Bagh-i-Khalili, Bagh-i-Farsi, Bagh-i-Delgosha and Bagh-i-Takht. All of these gardens are recreation resorts for both the people of Shiraz and the tourists that come to this city. They are all remarkable examples of the art of Persian gardening.

The city's status as a place where knowledge was disseminated; and its people's religious commitment have led to the building of major mosques and schools in Shiraz since a very long time ago.  Among these buildings are the ancient Jami' Mosque that dates back to the time of Amr-Leiss of Saffari dynasty, Masjid-i- Vakil and its fourty column nocturnal prayers quarter, Masjid-i-Now (Martyrs' Mosque), Masjid-i-Nassirulmolk and Masjid-i-Shiraz of the Qajar period,  The splendid Khan School (Madrassa-i-Khan) of Safavid period, Madrassa-i-Vakil, Madrassa-i-Mansurieh, The Haft Tanan Mausoleum and the Chehl Tanan Mausolum.

There are many beautiful old public buildings in Shiraz. The Quran Gate (Darvazeh Ghor'an), Sara-ye-Moshir, Bazar-i-Vakil, The Karim Khan Fortress (Arg) and the Narenjestan Building are just some of them.

The highly significant Persepolis complex that dates back to the time of the Achaemenids, Naqsh-i-Rustam (including the tombs of Achaemenid kings, Sassanid epigraphs and reliefs, and the Zoroastrian Kaba monument) in the vicinity of Shiraz; as well as Passargada, the site of Syrus' tomb in Morghab plain, are among the important sights of Shiraz and Fars.

There are regular bus services and everyday flights to Shiraz by domestic airlines. In this great tourist city, there are various types of hotels and other luxury hospitality establishments of various classes as well as plenty of recreation centers, restaurants, parks, movie houses, etc. at the disposal of tourists.

The desert city of Sabzevar was previously called Bayhagh. It is located within a distance of 70 kilometers from the Mashad railways and 250 kilometers far from the provincial capital. It is a historical city and the main site of Sarbedaran movement. Pamenar Mosque in Sabzevar dates back to the same period. The 13th century Jami' Mosque and Khosrowgerd Minaret are two monuments that have remained from the time when the city was still being called Bayhagh. The tomb of Haj Molla Hadi Sabzevari is in this city. Sabzevar has a tourist guest house.

Although not too close to  the  Caspian sea   , Savadkooh    has a very favorable imate  almost in all   four seasons.  Beautiful forests  and rivers have    lent a ectacular scenery  to Savadkooh.  The shrine of Emamzadeh Abdolhaq and the  Lajim Tower are among   the  most   visited sights of Savadkooh.

Built in   the first century of the Islamic era, most of the historical buildings of Sari date back to the times  of the  Safavid. Sari  is the capital city of Mazandaran province.

Located 100 kilometers north of Shiraz, Sepidan is a high mountain city with beautiful natural scenery, forests, waterfalls and many springs providing a recreation resort for the people in Fars province. The holy shrine of Imamzadeh Sultan Noureddin is in this city

It is a small city about 210 kilometers far from Mashad at the border with the neighboring Republic of Turkmenistan. The occupation of most of the people in this city is relating in one way or another to agriculture and animal husbandry.

The small historical city of Tabas located on the margins of Iran's central desert 600 kilometers southwest of Mashad. It was absolutely ruined by a quake in 1978 and was later reconstructed. Tabas has a desert climate and hot weather and most of its people are farmers.

It is an old city located 250 kilometers southeast of Mashad in the vicinity of the border with Afghanistan. Among the historical monuments in this city are the tomb of Mawlana Zainolabedin Taibadi and a Seljuk brick Minaret by the name of Karat Tower.

The metropolitan city of Tehran on the slopes of   the mountains of Shemiran and at the  foot of  the magnificent Mount Damavand is the world famous capital of  the Islamic Republic of Iran and the province of Tehran. It has  been the  country's capital city for only 200 years now.  With an altitude of 1200   meters above sea level   ,   Tehran  is a city of  all  four seasons with hot        summers, freezing winters ,  and brief springs and  autumns. The highest registered summer temperature    in Tehran  has  been  42 degrees centigrade; while the  low  has  been registered   as 8 degrees below zero. Tehran's  central   position   and  economic flourishing  has   attracted great   numbers  of immigrants from  other Iranian  cities justifying the nickname "the  city of   72        nations." Tehran is Iran's political and  administrative center,  a major  focal   point  of  the  middle-east and a city  of  international reputation.
 
  Tehran's grand Bazar is a      network comprising of several kilometers and thousands of shops that are run in the traditionally specialized way. Hundreds of thousands of people visit this huge shopping center everyday. The oldest historical monuments of Tehran date back to the Qajar period. Some of them are: the Golestan Palace and Museum, the Shamsolemareh Building, the Imam Khomeini Mosque (ex-Shah Mosque), parts of the Bazar, the shrines of Imamzadeh Saleh in Tajrish, Imamzadeh Ghassem, Imamzadeh Seyed Esmaeil, Imamzadeh Yahya, Imamzadeh Zeid, and Seyed Nassreddin as well as the Bagh-i-Ferdows Building, Sorkheh Hessar Palace (Hospital),  Firouzeh Palace, Shahid Motahari (Sepahsalar) Mosque and School, the building of ex-National Assembly, The Pamenar Minaret, and Marvi School and Bazar. Some of the famous museums of Tehran are: the National Iranian Museum (ex-Ancient Iran Museum), the Anthropological Museum, Abgineh (Glass) Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Arts, Central Bank's Treasury Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, Decorative Arts Museum and the Carpet Museum. There are also several large beautiful parks in Tehran and its suburbs beside the city's natural parks located in the mountains around the capital.

On  the slopes of Alborz  in western Mazandaran, Tonekabon is a Safavid city with favorable climate, shallow shores suitable  for swimming  and recreation make it a desirable resort.

This city is the place of birth and burial of the renowned 11th century mystic Sheikh Ahmad Jami, better known as Zhendeh Pil (ragged elephant). The city is in fact named after the great mystic. Located in a highland 163 kilometers east of Mashad, Torbat-i-Jam has a desert climate with wild pistachio forests and vast pastures. The tomb and the Khaneghah of Sheikh Ahmad Jami and Shah Ghassem Anwar are among the city's historical sights. Torbat-i-Jam and its neighboring areas have a rich and beautiful tradition of mystical music.
 

It is a new city located 140 kilometers south of Mashad and named after the 13th century mystic Ghotbeddin Haydar after whom the city was named as his tomb is in this city. The sights in this city include Masjid-i-Gonbad, the remains of Sangan city ( of the first century Hejira) and Ghiassieh School in Khargard ( of the 15th century).
 

Twiserkan, located about 100 kilometers south of Hamadan, is the outcome of the merger of  three old villages, namely Twi, Serkan and Meshkan. However, it was formerly called Roudlar.
The latter was ruined in the invasion of Mongols and its people fled to those three villages. The ancient hills of Baba Kamal, Roudlar, Shahrestaneh, the remains of a Sassanid city in Velashjerd, the Seljuk Dome, the Safavid Building of  Sheikh Ali Khani School and the Qajar period indoors bazar , are all indicative of  Twiserkan's historical background.
 

Located 40 kilometers southeast of Tehran, Varamin has been in fact one of the largest and oldest villages of Iran. The grand Jami' Mosque with its Ilkhan period architecture and tile work, as well as the Sultan Aladdin Tower, Imamzadeh Yahya and Iraj Tower , are all witnesses to Varamin's historical background. Varamin is a highly fertile plain for agriculture. Its main districts are Pishva and Gharachak.
 

Many people, including Iranians themselves, remember the city of Yazd with the sight of its traditional architectural logo, Badgir (the wind tower) which is some sort of built in air conditioning device.

Located in central Iran on the road that connects Isfahan to Kerman, Yazd is an economically lively city that accomodates hard working people. Among the sights and monuments to be seen by tourists that visit Yazd are Masjid-i-Jame', Masjid-i-Mir Chakhmagh, the tomb of Molla Emam, the tomb of Shamseddin, the tomb of Seyed Rokneddin, the tomb of Sheikh Joneid,          Chak Chak, Pir-i-Naraki,  Masjid-i-Davazdah Emam,  Zendan-i-Sekandar, and          the Nakhl at Meidan-i-Amir Chakhmagh.
 

Next to Ghazvin on the road from Tehran to Tabriz is the city of Zanjan which is famous, first and foremost, for the finely decrated knives made by its skillful craftsmen.

Internationally well known, however, is the enormous Sultanieh Dome, an historical monument which is the burial place of Sultan Oljaito of Mongol origin who died there in 1316. According to Jean Hureau, the proportions of this tower with a hexagonal base, surmounted by a dome, are so harmonious that it is only when you are at the foot of its walls or inside it that you realize how gigantic a monument it is.

Located 83 kilometers west of Kerman on the main provincial road and by the railway, Zarand is a mineral-rich area with coal mines (particularly in Pabedana), Iron ore mines and a coal washing factory whose output is sent to Isfahan by trains to be used at the Isfahan Steel Mill. The city's handicrafts are carpets and gelims, and its agricultural products grains, pistachio and cotton. Zarand has a moderate semi-desert climate.