Golestan Province in Iran
About Golestan
Despite its unbelievable beauty, Golestan province is among the least visited attractions in Iran. However, the region is such a magnificent destination both and culturally and naturally, it could keep you busy for weeks.
This province is located in the north-eastern part of Iran and south of the Caspian Sea, Golestan has some of the greenest landscapes of Iran and it is astonishing. Besides, the region and province have a long and rich history and were 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 well-known and popular among nature lovers. Many attractions have remained intact here and this provides travelers who love to explore natural and less visited places with a great opportunity.
The Land of White Gold
The province is located in the north of Iran, on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The climate is subtropical. Many rivers flow through the land permeating dense forests. indeed, the Golestan forest lends its name to the province. Turkmens are a big minority in this province who speak their language. The folk music of these Turkmen tribes appears in Bakhshi and Baghshi rhythms. A two-string lute called Dotar is widely used to create those rhythms. Although dancing is not very common among these tribes, there is a local dance called Jazjar. common handicrafts of the province include carpet weaving, silk weaving, needle works, felt making, etc. Based on archeological findings in the ancient hill of Torang Tappe, the civilization in the province dates back to 3000 BC.
Kavus Tower (Qabus Tower)
Also called Qabus tower or Gonbad-e Qabus in Persian, the brick structure is the tomb of Shams Ol-Moali Key Kavus Ibn Voshmgir. The tower, which is one of the largest brick towers of the ninth century CE, is located on top of a hill in the middle of the public park of the town of Gonbad. It consists of three parts: the foundation, the stem, and a funnel-like dome on top with a height of 55 meters. The dome itself is 18 meters high and there are 10 symmetric triangular shapes on the stem.
Torang Tappe
This is one of the richest and largest ancient hills of Golestan province 25 kilometers northeast of Gorgan. Archeological studies show the civilization on this hill dates back to five thousand years ago.
Radkan Tower
This tower is located on top of a hill 24 kilometers from the town of Kordku near the village of Radkan. this is the tomb of the famous Al-e Bavand commander of Tabarestan. this is a brick tower, with a funnel-like dome and a height of 35 meters. It dates back to the 9th century CE.
Ashuradeh
The village is an island, it lies 25 kilometers away from Gorgan city and is one of the most attractive sites of Golestan province with temperate, humid weather. This island is a perfect habitat for different kinds of local and migrating birds. Visiting the port and the facilities of Bandar Torkaman, the beaches of Ashuradeh island, and hunting fish for caviar are among the common recreational activities of natives of the region.
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 bears, wolf, jackal, red fox, wild cat, and 150 types of birds.
Atrak River
The river originates from Hezar Masjid and Laleh Ruyan mountains in Khorasan. Its river is 600 kilometers long and flows into the Caspian Sea.
Galikesh Falls
These falls which are among the most beautiful falls of Iran are located 20 kilometers from the town of Galikesh, near a village with the same name. its location near Golestān national Park has added a lot to its sightseeing values.
Minakaleh Wildlife
This wildlife shelter is located in the southeast of the Caspian Sea with an area of seven thousand hectares. This is a real heaven for marine animals and migrating birds like geese, swans, flamingos, pelicans, pheasants, and some other local birds like Dorraj and Zanguleh Bal.
Agh Ghala Lagoon
The lagoon is located on the southern bank of the Atrak River. It is a habitat for diverse kinds of migrating birds like flamingoes, swans, and wild geese. This place has a high potential for attracting tourists due to its wonderful sceneries, vast lawns, availability of access roads, and local and migrating birds.
Naharkhoran Forest Area
This region has always been an attraction for the people of Gorgan, the tourists and the nature lovers and it provides them with all sorts of resort facilities such as hotels and restaurants.
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.”
Cultural Attractions
Followings are the most important cultural attractions of Golestan Province: Gorgan Mosque, Yahya Ibn Zeyd holy shrine, Bogheyeh Daneshmand in Gonbad County, Masjed Golshan, Taghva village, Daghighi school, Ghazi Bathhouse, Kaseh Garan bathhouse, Mikhcheh Garan bathhouse, Na’lbandan, Pasro square and Sabze Mashhad religious centers, Na’lbandān bazaar and Kohneh bazaar, Bibi Sabz holy shrine, Sarcheshmeh historical place, Bibi Hur holy shrine, Noh Tan holy shrine, Saghakhaneh Hazrat Abolfazl, Radkan tower, Jorjan historical City, Gorgan Wall, Torang Tappeh, Yarim Tappeh, etc are some of the main historical-cultural places of Golestan Province.