Golestan Province’s top tourist attractions
Golestan Province is among Iran’s major tourist destinations in view of its natural attractions and numerous historical sites.
The province is located in the country’s northeast, south of the Caspian Sea, and Gorgan is its capital.
Golestan has a mild, humid climate, known as “the moderate Caspian climate” in general. It has three distinct climates: moderate, mountainous, and semi-arid. More than 20 tribes peacefully coexist in the province.
Dense forests, springs, waterfalls and wetlands are among the tourist attractions of the province.
Kaboudwal waterfall
Kaboudwal waterfall is located near the city of Ali Abad-e-Katul, less than one hour from Gorgan. Every spring, new lush moss covers the entire waterfall. One of the most enjoyable things to do while visiting Kaboudwal waterfall is to walk along the path that leads to it. Kaboudwal Road is a five-kilometer road, surrounded by forests. Walking in the dense forests and the cobblestone paths are other recreations you can experience in this area.
Naharkhoran
Naharkhoran Forest Park is situated in southern Gorgan. It is part of the extensive and ancient Hyrcanian Forest, which is over one million years old.
Naharkhoran has served as a campsite since ancient times so that pilgrims to the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Shia Imam, can rest and eat launch on their way to Mashhad.
‘Nahar’ means lunch; ‘naharkhoran’ means lunch eaters.
Ziarat village
Ziarat village is near Naharkhoran and hosts the mausoleum of Imamzadeh Abdollah. The village ranks among Iran’s top 20 exemplary rural destinations, and is also home to the province’s only spa, which is said to have therapeutic effects.
Golestan National Park
Golestan National Park is a natural zone registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is also the largest park of its kind in Iran and home to about one-eighth of the plant species, one-third of birds and 50 percent of mammals.
World’s tallest tower
Gonbad-e Kavous in Golestan Province is home to the world’s tallest brick tower named ‘Gonbad-e Qabus’. It was built more than 1,000 years ago and is atop a 15-meter hill. The tower itself stands 55 meters in height.
Caspian Sea island
Visitors interested in going to the Caspian Sea’s only Iranian island must travel to Bandar-e Torkaman in Golestan Province and pedal boat to reach Ashouradeh Island.
Ashouradeh Island is a site for bird-watching, which attracts many ecotourists, particularly during the autumn. Visitors to Bandar-e Torkaman also get the opportunity to purchase the best quality and most attractive handicrafts at the cheapest prices at Doshanbeh Bazaar, a temporary bazaar set up every Monday.
Golestan’s highest point
The protected area of Jahan-Nama, a pristine natural area with plenty of plants and animal species, has the highest elevation in the province, 1,700 meters above sea-level. Visitors can rest there in wooden cottages and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
Historical monuments
The cities of Gorgan and Gomishan have the highest number of historical sites in Golestan Province, which include Aqa Mohammad Khan Palace, Amir Latifi Mansion, Taqavi Mansion and School, Baqeries’ Mansion and Emadiyeh School.
The Grand Mosque of Gorgan, which has a unique design and dates back to the Seljuk era, is also among historical sites of the province. Gorgan is also home to Imamzadeh Noor, a holy shrine and tomb of the brother of the eighth Shia Imam, famous for its unique tile work. It was built during the reign of the Teymourid kings.
Gomishan, with its two-storey wooden houses, scattered across rural areas and built according to the Russian architectural style, is another attraction in the province. The houses were built during the Qajar Era and are worth visiting.