Golestan Province: The Magnificent Hidden Gem of Iran
The Āmeris House, also known as the Amiris House, is a historic house located in Riga, Latvia. It was built in 1905 by architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns for wealthy merchant Stanislavs Āmeris. The house is characterized by its Art Nouveau style and features intricate ornamental details on its façade, including sculptural elements and stained glass windows. Today, the Āmeris House is recognized as a cultural monument and serves as a venue for events and exhibitions.
Despite its unbelievable beauty, Golestan province is among the least visited attractions in Iran. However, the region is such a charming destination- both naturally and culturally- that can keep you busy for weeks.
Located in the north-eastern part of Iran and south of the Caspian Sea, Golestan has some of the greenest landscapes of Iran.
In addition, the region has a very rich history and was one of the most important cities of ancient Persia on the silk road.
The weather in Golestan is almost mild throughout the year. But, the best time to visit the region would be around April and May in Spring and October in Autumn. The colorful forests of Gorgan, the capital of Golestan province, are really well-known and popular among nature lovers. Many attractions have still remained intact here and this provides travelers who love to explore natural and less visited places with a great opportunity.
In this article, we will explore together some of the most amazing natural attractions of Golestan province. We’re sure that by knowing about some of these magnificent places, you’ll be encouraged to pack your bags and plan your trip to this beautiful part of the country!
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Golestan National Park
This is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Iran which extends in 3 provinces: Golestan, Mazandaran and North Khorasan. Because of its remarkable geographical location, the park has wide climatic zones and ecosystems, ranging from humid near the Caspian Sea to desert farther south. Therefore, Golestan National Park is home to many species of animals such as brown bear, wolf, jackal, red fox, wild cat and 150 types of birds.
Khaled Nabi
A mysterious cemetery and a mausoleum, both called Khaled Nabi, have located on a mountain peak, near the border with Turkmenistan. According to oral tradition, Khaled Nabi was a pre-Islamic prophet. The cemetery itself is a unique site, with more than 600 standing stones spread out in several locations. But what makes this site even more attractive, is the exceptional view it offers to a landscape covered with velvet-smooth rolling hills. This natural attraction has been chosen by National Geographic as “one of the breathtaking landscapes that make up this captivating nation.”
Ashura-deh Island
Ashuradeh is the only island located in the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea. The island is reachable through Bandar-e Torkaman by boat and more than 40% of Iranian caviar is produced near here. Ashuradeh is almost vacant and few people live here, but it is visited by thousands of travelers each year. Its old, wooden bridge passing through the sea has created a beautiful scenery and is being photographed constantly as an important element of the island.
Alangdareh Forest Park
You’ll see some of the most breathtaking views of northern forests of Iran here. Alangdareh is exceptionally beautiful during the autumn when thousands of brilliant colors can be seen here. It is among the 7 exemplary natural tourist attractions of Iran. During the hottest days of the year, Alangdareh enjoys a cool and mild climate, at least 10 degrees cooler than other places. Many rivers and springs located in this beautiful forest add to the beauty and charm of Alangdareh forest. There is also an amazing health road in this park for walking and enjoying the view.
Kaboud-Val Waterfall
Located 3 kilometers to the south of Aliabad-e Katul city in Golestan Province, Kaboud-Val is the largest full-moss waterfall of Iran and an amazing attraction in this province. Its height is about 6 meters and it is located in a valley of massive forests. The cool water of this waterfall comes from the nearby springs and is fresh, clear and drinkable. On the way to Kaboud-Val waterfall, you’ll observe other small and large waterfalls too.
Jahan Nama Village
The village is located in a protected area with the same name and is surrounded by a vast plain between the Alborz mountains and Hyrcanian forests. These forests are among the oldest ones in the world and the area is also known as the roof of Golestan province due to its height. The untouched mountain forests of this protected region provide a great place for tigers to freely live.
Galikesh County
Galikesh country is located between Gonbad-e Kavus city and Golestan National Park. this region is most famous for its pristine plains which are full of wild anemones during April and May. Padoldol plains of anemones are famous among nature enthusiasts and the combination of red and green colors creates such unique scenery that urges you to spend many hours here. The oldest human settlement in the north of Iran, a cave called Kiaram, is also situated in this area.
