Iranian cyclist to defy hot desert, eying world record 

TEHRAN – Iranian cyclist Hassan Khorashadi is slated to ride across Rig Yelan desert, deemed as one of the hottest spots on Earth, to try and set a Guinness World Record, Mehr reported on Saturday.

Isfahan sets sights on more Chinese tourists

TEHRAN – Isfahan province’s tourism department has recently formed a task force to look for ways to encourage and attract more travelers from China.

Historical tomb chambers found in southeast Iran  

TEHRAN – Over 500 ancient tomb chambers have recently been found across the Mehdiabad-Oliya cemetery, which is located in Rigan county, southeastern Kerman province.

 Ancient mosque unearthed in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian archaeologists have recently unearthed parts of an ancient mosque in Arjan, a historical region in the southwestern Khuzestan province.

Louvre show wraps up months of boom in Tehran museum visits

TEHRAN - A momentous Louvre show came to an end at the National Museum of Iran on Monday.

Prehistoric “Persian guard” on the way home

U.S. judge rules return of Achaemenid-era relief to Iran

TEHRAN – A U.S. judge said on Monday an Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief should be returned to Iran, where the object was originally stolen from some 80 years ago.

Solar bikers traverse Iran en route from France to China

TEHRAN – A North Vancouver-based couple Justin Lemire-Elmore and Anne-Sophie Rodet has recently toured parts of Iran along their adventurous itinerary commenced in mid-June in Lyon.

Cheshmeh-Ali still dried out despite promises

TEHRAN – Despite repetitive promises by Tehran subway authorities, Cheshmeh-Ali is still struggling to return to its heyday, when its popular pool was chock-full of inflow-water.

Mt. Damavand facing hurdles to gain UNESCO World Heritage status

TEHRAN –Iran’s cultural heritage body is still keeping an eye on possible inscription of Mount Damavand on the UNESCO World Heritage list though obstacles such as mining operations and land use change are still in place after nearly a decade.

By Afshin Majlesi

Christian worshippers to make annual pilgrimage to St. Thaddeus

TEHRAN – Hundreds of Christian worshippers from Iran, Armenia and other countries are heading for St. Thaddeus to observe an annual ritual and pilgrimage in the northwestern church from July 27 to 29.

London conference calls for studies on Tappeh Sialk

TEHRAN – Tens of international scholars, archaeologists and historians called for further studies on Tappeh Sialk, which is one of the oldest and richest archaeological sites in central Iran.

A general renaissance: Iranian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – On Sunday, UNESCO added an ensemble of Sassanian historical cities in southern Iran to its world heritage list.

Iran’s tourist arrivals up 4.33% y/y

TEHRAN - International tourist arrivals in Iran rose 4.33 percent in the previous Iranian calendar year 1396 (ended March 20, 2018) from a year earlier, a tourism official says.

Iran’s ensemble of Sasanian cities gets UNESCO world heritage status

TEHRAN - The UN cultural organization added an ensemble of Sasanian historical cities in southern Iran to its world heritage list, bringing the number of heritage sites in the country to 23.

Ascending to Qaleh Babak challenging but rewarding

TEHRAN – Qaleh Babak is a ruined fortress nested atop a pick in northwest Iran. Ascending the mount to set foot on the ancient fort seems somewhat arduous for many visitors but in most cases proves to be a considerable and gratifying experience.

Lost in time: Discover Anubanini reliefs in western Iran 

TEHRAN – Every corner of Iran is filled with ancient and prehistoric heritage, which testify to the colorful past of the nation yet many of them are nearly lost in time and forgotten.

Zoroastrian Pir-e Sabz pilgrimage underway in Yazd

TEHRAN – On June 14, the annual Pir-e Sabz congregational pilgrimage started for Zoroastrians in Ardakan county, Yazd province, central Iran.

Project aims to revive tourism in Iran’s village of little people

TEHRAN – Months of ongoing restoration work in Makhunik is seen as a step forward to put Iran’s village of little people on the map of sightseers.

Dutch museum to host “Iran – Cradle of Civilization”

TEHRAN – “Iran – Cradle of Civilization”, an enormous loan exhibit dedicated to the history of Iran, will open its doors to the public on June 17 at the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands.

Cheshmeh-Ali: How an ancient spring is disappearing

TEHRAN - From the ancient times until almost the past year, Cheshmeh-Ali has been a source of vitality to a historical area of the same name in southern Tehran.

Makhunik, Iran’s mysterious village of little people

TEHRAN – In an easternmost region of the Iranian soil, near the border with Afghanistan, is situated Makhunik, a mysterious village commonly known as the country’s ‘Lilliput’.

Iran’s tourism unfazed by Booking.com business wind-down: expert

TEHRAN – Head of Iran Hotel Association has said that Booking.com’s restrictions will not jeopardize the country’s inbound tourism.

Portuguese fort soaked in silence, history

For visitors to a medieval sea fort on Hormuz Island it is not hard to vividly imagine the hustle and bustle of Portuguese military forces who once occupied the southern Iranian island in the early 16th and early 17th centuries.

Ramadan tips for foreign travelers

TEHRAN - For many foreigners, traveling to Iran or other Muslim-majority countries are not complete without wandering around downtown streets and labyrinthine bazaars with savoring local street food.

A peek into Shafei Jameh Mosque

Graced with intricate faience and stucco carvings

TEHRAN – Graced with eye-catching architecture, the Shafei Jameh Mosque stands tall in the ancient city of Kermanshah in western Iran.

‘Medical tourism could fetch Iran $7b annually’

TEHRAN – Iran has capacity to annually earn $7 billion in medical and health tourism, though the sector now brings in only one-seventh or even lesser of the sum, a tourism official has said.

Rosewater festivals draw visitors to central Iran

TEHRAN – At this time each year, many rosewater distillation ceremonies are being commenced in central Iran, drawing thousands of visitors to Kashan and nearby cities and villages.

Meet Omidvar brothers who pictured cultures that no longer exist

TEHRAN – Brothers Issa and Abdollah Omidvar are widely deemed as Iran’s earliest travel documentarians. In the 1950s, they pictured remote societies and cultures that may no longer exist.

Louvre show to run in Mashhad

TEHRAN – The city of Mashhad will be the subsequent destination of a landmark Louvre show, which is currently underway at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran.