Iran tops global handicrafts list with 17 cities, villages
Iran leads the World Crafts Council’s global network with 17 designated handicraft cities and villages, more than twice the number of any competing country.
Narges Rajaei, director general of handicraft education and promotion at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said Iran had more than twice as many registered locations as some of its closest competitors.
China ranks second with eight, followed by Uzbekistan with seven and Chile with six. India and Vietnam each have four registered cities or villages.
The Iranian locations include Isfahan in central Iran, Tabriz in the northwest, Mashhad in the northeast, Shiraz in the south, as well as Lalejin, Sirjan, Meybod, Zanjan, Kashan and Dezful.
They are recognized for traditional skills and products including carpet weaving, pottery, zilu mat weaving, kilim making, jewelry production and wickerwork.
Yazd, in central Iran, was also designated a World Crafts City for its traditional jewelry in 2025.
Meanwhile, the nomination of Kerman for global handicraft city status is being pursued by the ministry. The city has already received national handicraft city status but has yet to secure a place on the WCC list.
“The designations were intended to boost domestic and international tourism and showcase Iran’s handicraft potential,” Rajaei said.
The WCC launched its World Crafts Cities program in 2014 to highlight the cultural and economic potential of local communities and strengthen cooperation
among handicraft-producing centers.