Sightseeing places in Golestan; Unspoiled nature next to historical monuments

Do you know the sights of Golestan? Golestan province is one of the border provinces where a large part of the Iran-Turkmenistan border is located. The proximity to the Caspian Sea and the ancient history of this area will make your trip interesting and memorable. The best season to travel to Golestan is spring and autumn, but there are many attractions that you can visit in other seasons. Stay with us in this article to get to know the most important places to visit in Golestan.

Introduction of Golestan province

Golestan province is one of the northern provinces of Iran. Golestan was a part of Mazandaran province until it became independent in 1376 and Gorgan was chosen as its center. The history of this land goes back to the Paleolithic era and it has pristine and very beautiful nature. For this reason, many travelers visit it every year. The climate of Golestan province is moderate and the soil is fertile, which is the reason for the spread of agriculture in this region. In the following, we will introduce you the sights of Golestan. So if you plan to travel to Golestan province, be sure to stay with us.

1. Golestan National Park

Golestan National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Iran, located in the 3 provinces of Golestan, Mazandaran and Khorasan. Due to its special geographical location, this park has diverse climatic zones and ecosystems. Golestan National Park is close to the Caspian Sea on one side and has a humid climate, but on the other side is the desert areas of Khorasan province. Many animal species live in this park. Brown bear, wolf, jackal, red fox, wild cat and 150 types of birds have been identified in this area. For this reason, Golestan National Park is one of the most important recreational places in Golestan province.

2. Khaled Nabi

Khaled Nabi is a mysterious cemetery on the top of a mountain near the border of Turkmenistan, where the tomb of Khaled Nabi is located. According to traditions, Khalid Nabi was one of the pre-Islamic prophets who was buried in this area. The tomb of Khaled Nabi has a rectangular structure. The structure of the building consists of two metal columns, an arched iron gate and a small dome.

Khalid Nabi cemetery has interesting and unique tombstones; These standing stones are 2 meters and even more high. Today, the number of these graves has decreased, but in the past there were 600 standing tombstones in different areas of the plain. Some say that this cemetery dates back to the Paleolithic era.

The main attraction of Khalid Nabi is its exceptional view; Green and smooth hills, which are a unique experience for nature lovers. “National Geographic” has named Khaled Nabi cemetery as one of the stunning sights of Iran.

3. Ashurade Island

One of the sights of Golestan is Bandar Turkman and the island that is located near it. Ashuradeh is the only island on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Iran. To go to this island, you have to take a boat from Turkmen port. 40% of Iranian caviar is produced near Ashuradeh. Ashurade is almost empty and has few residents, but thousands of travelers visit it every year and visit its attractions.

One of the sights of Golestan province is the old bridge of Ashurade Island. This wooden bridge crosses the sea and creates an attractive view. Ashurade Island is the habitat of many animals, including fox, jackal, wild cat, pig, horse, pheasant, black and white geese, flamingo, pelican, salmon and sturgeon.

If you want to go to Ashurade by car, you have to park your car in Turkmen port and take a boat to the island. On your trip to this island, you can see the local market, Ashurade sand dunes and the ruins of Safavid castles and have a good time on this island.

4. Alangdare Forest Park

Alangdare Forest Park is one of the must-see places in Golestan in autumn. In this park, you will see stunning views that will be recorded in your mind forever. Alangdare is one of the 7 natural attractions of Iranian tourism. In autumn, the trees turn into warm and attractive colors.

Of course, this forest park can be considered one of the tourist attractions of Golestan in summer. The weather in Alangdare is cool and moderate even on the hottest days of the year. The many rivers and springs of this area add to the beauty of the forest of Alangdare. If you are into nature tourism or want to spend hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Alangdare is the ideal destination for you. The health road and the special walking path of Elangdare Forest Park always host travelers and residents of this area.

5. Kabudwal waterfall

Kabudwal waterfall, 3 kilometers south of Aliabad Katul city, is the largest mossy waterfall in Iran. The height of this waterfall is about 6 meters and it is located in a valley in the middle of dense forests. The water of Kabudwal waterfall originates from nearby springs and you can drink this cool, clear and sweet water. On the way to the waterfall, you will see many small and big springs whose water is drinkable. Kabudval waterfall is one of the most famous natural attractions of Golestan province.

The vegetation of this area is oak, alder, cherry and hawthorn trees and animals Such as boar, bear, leopard, fox, forest cat, hedgehog and red deer live in it. In addition, birds such as ring-necked pheasants, wood pigeons, woodpeckers and various game birds can be seen in this area. A rare species of fish called Caspian sand goby also lives in the rivers around Kabudval.

6. Jahannama village

Jahannama protected area is a vast plain in the middle of the Alborz mountains. Hyrcanian forests surround this area. These forests are among the oldest forests in the world. The height of Jahannama region is high above the sea level and for this reason it is known as the roof of Golestan province. Jahannama village is one of the sights of Golestan in this region, which is visited by nature lovers every year. The untouched mountain forests of this protected area are a great place for tigers to live freely.

7. Qaboos dome

Qaboos Dome Tower is one of the outstanding architectures of the Islamic era and one of the historical attractions of Golestan, which dates back to the 4th century of Hijri. This building has a solid structure and few decorative elements have been used in it. This tower is the tallest brick tower in the world, which was built during the time of Qaboos Ibn Washamgir on a hill with a height of 15 meters.

The body of the building is covered with red bricks and looks golden under the sunlight. The conical dome of the tower is an artistic masterpiece. One of the interesting points of Qaboos Dome is the Kufic inscriptions of the building, which are placed in the form of a belt around the outer body of the tower. One row of these inscriptions is at a height of 8 meters from the ground and the other row is under the conical dome. The inscriptions are designed with simple brick with legible words and do not have many reliefs and decorations.

8. The Great Wall of Gorgan

The Great Wall of Gorgan is one of the most important works of Iranian architecture. This building is also called the Red Wall or the Red Snake, and it is the third longest wall in the world, after the Chinese Wall and the German Wall. Is. Gorgan Great Wall is also mentioned in historical documents as Iskandar Dam, Anoushirvan Dam, Firouz Dam and Qazal Alan. This wall was built in the late Sassanid era to prevent the invasion of the northern enemies to the mountainous areas and plains of this region.

The Great Wall of Gorgan has various structures throughout its route. A moat, brick kilns, a dam, a water channel and a series of forts were built along the path of this wall, many of which have been destroyed and now only small parts of each structure remain. The Great Wall of Gorgan passes through Turkmen Port, Aqqola, Qaboos Dome and Kalaleh (Turkmen Desert) and is one of the most attractive tourist areas of Iran.

9. Turangtepe

Turangtepe is a hill in the northwest of Turang village, 20 kilometers from Gorgan. Archaeologists say that this hill is 5000 to 6000 years old. Turangtepe is at the same time as Silk and Hesartepe hills, and for this reason it has been registered in the list of national heritage of Iran.

Many archaeologists have explored Turangtepe. The first archaeologist who came to this area was Clement Augustus. He came to Iran in 1257 (the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar) and traveled to this region. In this archaeological trip, Augustus found tools and objects such as cups, various tools, gold, silver and bronze vessels and weapons. In addition, it has been found that in ancient times, agriculture, irrigation system and pottery were common in Turangtepe.

A group of American archaeologists led by Frederic R. Volsin, after many excavations, said that they have identified 3 historical layers in this place. They found the first layer at a depth of 6 meters. In this layer, there was a cemetery where red and gray clay vessels were buried along with the bodies of the dead. These dishes date back to the Iron Age. The second layer was at a depth of 8 meters and the third layer was at a greater depth. In these 2 layers, they found pottery and clay sculptures.

Turangtepe is very important for archaeologists. They have also found signs of the Achaemenid and Parthian empires in this region. One of the most important finds is a seal with the name of Khosroshad Pirouz, which is probably left from the lost city of Pirouz.

10. Naharkhoran forest

Naharkhoran is a huge forest garden in Naharkhoran village and one of the natural attractions of Golestan province. Naharkhoran National Forest is one of the forests of Golestan province, which is said to date back to the Jurassic period, that is, 170 million years ago. This forest is one of the sights of Gorgan and Golestan.

The vegetation of Naharkhoran forest is very diverse and beautiful. In this area, you can see oak, velvet maple, tall, European sycamore, nemdar, gilai, pine, cypress, hawthorn and willow trees. If you are looking for one of the sights of Golestan in spring, Naharkhoran is a good destination for you.

In the corners of the Naharkhoran forest, there are many high lands, valleys and springs. One of the famous springs of this region is Sefidcheshme, which springs from the heights of this forest. Naharkhoran is also very beautiful in winter. White trees and rivers that freeze are attractive to nature lovers, and for this reason Nahar Khoran is considered one of the best places to visit in Golestan in winter.

last word

Golestan is one of the border provinces of Iran, which is located near the Caspian Sea. There are many places to see in Golestan; From forest parks and pristine nature to ancient villages.

If you have traveled to this province, write us about your experiences. Which of the sights of Golestan would you like to suggest to the audience of this article? Share your opinion with us.