Antiquities recovered from illegal diggers in western Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have recently confiscated nine pieces of historical relics form a gang of illegal diggers and antique dealers in Lorestan province, western Iran, Mehr reported on Monday.

Over 300,000 visits to Kermanshah sites recorded

TEHRAN – More than 300,000 travelers visited major historical sites across Kermanshah province during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21).

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran’s ‘Lilliput’ may be your upcoming travel destination!

TEHRAN – South Khorasan is somewhat known for its ancient windmills, however, tourism authorities of the eastern province are making efforts to put one of its mysterious villages, commonly known as Iran’s ‘Lilliput’, on the tourist map of the region.

Visa-free stay for Chinese travelers extended to 21 days

TEHRAN – Visa-free validity for Chinese visitors to Iran has been extended from a previously announced 15 days to 21 days, deputy tourism chief Vali Teymouri said, Mehr reported on Tuesday. 

Parthian-era citadel to undergo restoration

TEHRAN – The crumbling Narin citadel, which is said to date from the time of Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 CE), is about to undergo renovation set to last two months and cost 910 million rials (about $22,000), CHTN reported on Sunday. 

From labyrinthine bazaars to nomadic landscapes: Feel Iran on walking tours

To offer tourists with new experiences and fresh points of view, a number of tour operators have developed a range of creative “off-the-beaten-track” tours and activities in Iran, in order to explore new tastes of the ancient land, ISNA reported in a recent article.

Iranian flatbread inseparable from three-course meals in Kuwait

TEHRAN – Iranian flatbread has long been a permanent guest at Kuwaiti tables.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran travel sector: Ups and downs since U.S. reimposed sanctions

TEHRAN – Last November, the Trump administration reinstated sanctions on Iran, mainly the ones that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, in order to batter Iran’s economy, however, according to official data, they have so far failed to lessen foreign arrivals to the Islamic Republic.

By Afshin Majlesi

Islamic architecture? Sure, but Na’in’s old mosque offers so much more

Well regarded for its hospitable people, handicrafts, and ancient qanats (manmade subterranean aqueducts that brings water from the mountains), Na’in dates back to nearly 2000 years, which makes it one of the oldest continuously settled towns in the Iranian plateau.

Preliminary studies start on fossilized skull found in western Iran

TEHRAN – Preliminary studies have been started on pieces of a fossilized skull, which was untethered earlier in western Iran. The skull is attributed to Homo sapiens.

Iraqi arrivals in Iran gaining momentum

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi nationals visiting Iran is gaining momentum this year as the Islamic Republic endeavors to boost its tourism revenues in the face of U.S.-led sanctions. 

15% rise in visits to historical sites in Rey

TEHRAN – Visits to historical sites in Rey surged 15 percent during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

Summer festival to highlight rural heritage in Gilan

TEHRAN – Gilan province is to hold a summer festival, which turns the spotlight on rural heritage, traditions, arts and architecture in the northern province.

Rare dovetail-joints found in UNESCO-tagged Pasargadae

TEHRAN – Personnel of Pasargadae have recently found two rare dovetail-joints, which used to attach massive stone slabs, pillars and columns in the UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), who ordered its construction.

Exhibit to explore ethno-culture of nomadic life in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A festival featuring nomadic life, traditions, arts, handicrafts and souvenirs is to open today in Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, southwest Iran.

Tehran to host loan exhibit from Spanish museum

TEHRAN – The National Museum of Iran is set to host a loan exhibit from Spain’s Archeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ).

UNESCO lists Iraq’s Babylon as World Heritage site

TEHRAN - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added the sprawling Mesopotamian city of Babylon to its World Heritage list, boosting Iraq’s hopes of reviving its battered tourism industry.

Iran’s Hyrcanian Forest named UNESCO World Heritage site

UNESCO on Friday designated Iran’s vast Hyrcanian Forest as a World Heritage site, making it the second such Iranian natural site after Lut Desert, which was granted the tag in 2016.

“Tabriz event establishes synergy between tourism and handicrafts”

TEHRAN – The Iranian city of Tabriz is concurrently playing host to the 9th National Handicrafts Exhibition and the 1st Tourism Exhibition which is described by the deputy tourism chief as a “synergetic” approach to link traveling with souvenirs and handicrafts.

Atmospheric caravanserai being restored to former glory

TEHRAN – The third round of a restoration work has recently been commenced on Hojaib caravanserai with the aim of bringing the atmospheric inn to its former glory.

Ancient fort in southern Tehran to turn into outdoor museum

TEHRAN – The ruined Gabri fort, which is said to date from Sassanid era, will be turned into an outdoor museum, an official with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

Tirgan, a feast in honor of rain

Tirgan (also known as Jashn-e Tirgan) is a time-honored Iranian festival usually observed as a rain festival. Tiragan, along with Noruz, Yalda Night and Mehregan are amongst feasts widely celebrated in the ancient land.

Iran sets sights on drawing 2 million Chinese tourists per annum 

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism organization has set sights on attracting two million Chinese nationals per annum after the country approved to waive the visa requirement for Chinese travelers.

Museum dedicated to meteorites to open in Tehran

TEHRAN - A major museum, specialized for meteorites, is scheduled to be opened to the public on July 2 at Tehran’s Azadi Tower (Borj-e Azadi).

Kandovan village and breathtaking rocky landscape

Kandovan is a historical village in Iran's East Azarbaijan province, near the city of Tabriz. It is one of the three rocky villages in the world and the beauties of this village have made it one of the strangest villages of the country, according to Mehr news agency.

Refuge with troglodytic architecture found in northern Iran

TEHRAN – Locals of a northern Iranian village have discovered a cave-like entrance to a larger area, which recent investigation by cultural heritage experts proved it was probably used as a refuge in the far past.

Vank Cathedral: A gorgeous fusion of Islamic, Armenian architecture

TEHRAN – The centuries-old Vank Cathedral (locally called Kelisa-ye Vank) is widely referred to as an everlasting masterpiece of architecture.

Iran, Iraq ink MOU to expand tourism ties  

TEHRAN – Iran and Iraq have recently agreed in principle to further develop ties in the arenas of tourism, pilgrimage, cultural heritage and handicrafts, CHTN reported. 

Hungarian tour operators visit Yazd

TEHRAN – Following their visits to Shiraz, a group of Hungarian tour operators and travel associates toured Yazd, holding talks with local officials and fellows of the central Iranian province, which its historical capital of the same name is a UNESCO World Heritage.

Tchogha Zanbil: World’s best surviving example of Elamite architecture

TEHRAN – UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil is widely known as the world’s best surviving example of Elamite architecture. The ruined ziggurat stands in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. It was made a UNESCO site in 1979.