About Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province is one of the thirty-one provinces of Iran. It is in the southwest of the country and its capital is Yasuj. The people in this province mainly speak the Lurish language. The counties of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province are Bahmai County, Landeh County, Boyer-Ahmad County, Charam County, Dana County, Basht County, and Gachsaran County.
The province is mostly mountainous in terrain, part of the Zagros range. The mountain range, which is located in Kohgiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad province, is covered with oak forests. Natural springs, singing of the birds, and fresh air fascinate all lovers of nature. Another mountain is Khamin or Khami that is located in Gachsaran country.
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province share borders with five provinces: Isfahan and Fars provinces to the east, Bushehr province to the south, Khuzestan to the west, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari to the north. The province is divided into nine cities and 16 districts, which include 16 cities and more than 1,700 villages.
Home of Iranian Nomads
We have mentioned already in which this province is located in southwestern Iran. It is a mountainous region where the Zagros Mountains cover most of the northern and eastern parts of its area. The highest point is Mt. Dena with a height of 4409 meters above sea level. considering the geographical features of this province the more you move from the north-eastern mountains to the south-western areas the height of the mountains and the humidity of the weather significantly decreases which causes this province to have two distinct cold Boyer-Ahmad and hot Kohgiluye regions.
Therefore, from the earliest times of civilization, Iranian nomads have found it an ideal home. One of the most important protected territories of the wildlife in this province is called Dena which is rich in terms of species of plants and animals. There are different kinds of trees, forest plants, lawns, herbs, edible plants, and crucial economical resources for local people. This area is also the home of many species of animals such as large size brown bears, leopards, wolves, and wild cats as well as birds like eagles, hawks, partridges, skylarks, and some other local birds like Kamarkoli and Sangcheshm. Other species of animals found in this area include otters, ferrets, and Iranian squirrels as one of the most beautiful species of squirrels in the world.
The Ancient City of Dehdasht
Based on historical documents this city was called Belad Shapur in the past and was built by king Shapur I of the Sassanid dynasty. The city was very populated and different facilities like public baths, mosques, caravanserai, and almost two thousand houses were built to create the comfort of city life. As this city has experienced the insecurity of the Safavid dynasty and also the degeneration of the Zand dynasty, it is all in ruins now. The building materials used to make the buildings were stone, mortar of plaster and Saruj (the mortar of lime), soil, ash, and sand. It is only in the dome of the public bath that pieces of brick were used.
Dena National Park
One of the most beautiful natural areas of the province is the Dena protected Zone or Dena National Park. It has the privilege of having vegetation and animal species.
Kheyrabad Temple
This temple is located between the cities of Dehdasht and Behbahan, close to the north of the village of Dodeh. This temple dates back to the Sassanid era and consists of four arches made of stone and mortar of plaster and lime. This temple is highly valued and respected by Zoroastrians as a pilgrimage site.
Lake Kuh Gol
This lake is located at 33 km distance to the north of the city of Yasuj, near the famous Bijan Pass. This lake is the natural habitat of local and migrating birds such as storks, cranes, geese, and different kinds of ducks. Around the lake, you can find a coat of vegetation like clematis, oregano, and other kinds of wild plants.
Tang-e Sarvak Historical Monuments
In some mountainous parts of Kohgiluye and Boyer-Ahmad, there is a pass called Sarvak or Sulak. There are many stone carvings in this area that are believed to belong to Elimayee tribes who were independent tribes living in the time of the Parthian Kingdom. The common subject of these carvings includes wars, worshiping God, and the coronation of kings.
Sisakht Village
This village is located at 35 km distance to the northwest of Yasuj at the foothills of a mountain. This village is surrounded by three mountains called Dinar Mountain, Koh Mountain, and Zanguyeh Mountain. This village is the starting point of a climb to Mount Dena. There is heavy snowfall starting from late autumn to early spring. This is also a fascinating region for skiing fans.
Hanging Tulips
This kind of tulip is only found in red or yellow colors in the Zagros Mountains in Chahar Mahal Va Bakhtiari Province. This kind of tulips often blossoms in May. The sight of Hanging Tulips makes one of the most exquisite and wonderful natural attractions of the province. Do not miss this natural wonder when visiting Iran in spring.
Historical Attractions:
Khosravi hill related to Achaemenid Period, Shohada hill related to the third millennium BC and Gord ancient hill, Pataveh bridge, and Pol Chay Grave in Yasuj, the ancient city of Dehdasht, Chos Gach and Mangasht Castles in Kohgiluyeh, Kheyrabad ancient site dating back to the Sassanid period, Soleyman stronghold and Hia bridge in Kheyrabad, Gachsaran are of most important historical attractions of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province.
Spiritual Attractions:
Hassan, Ghasem, Pahlavan, and Abdollah shrines in Yasuj, Emamzadeh Chelleh khan, and Emamzadeh Seyed Mohammad Mausoleums in Kohgiluyeh and Bibi Hakimeh shrines in Gachsaran are of main religious attractions of the province.
Natural Attractions:
Orumiyeh, Mur Zilaei, and Kuhgol lakes, Barm Shir, Margun, and Yasuj lagoons, Mishi, Khar Kalun, and Babakan springs, Bahram Beygi, Sepidar, Babakan, Sadat, Lava, and Saghaveh valleys in Yasuj, Bar Olun lagoon, Belgheys, Charam, and Chuzak springs, Barm Shir, Dalan, Jokar, Bozeh Sabz, dam Abbas, and Mahtab valleys in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad.