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2025-10-19 18:09
By Afshin Majlesi
Aran and Bidgol emerges as a must-visit desert destination
ARAN AND BIDGOL, Isfahan Province - Nestled just beyond the renowned city of Kashan, Aran and Bidgol county is rapidly emerging as one of Iran’s captivating travel destinations, offering a mesmerizing blend of vast desert landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant local culture.
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2025-10-18 09:12
By Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Rural heritage, global meaning: Iran’s villages as beacons of cultural sustainability
Today, as the UN Tourism Organization inscribed the three Iranian villages of Shafi’ Abad in Kerman, Kandolus in Mazandaran, and Sohaili on Qeshm Island among the Best Tourism Villages of the World 2025, a new chapter opened in the cultural diplomacy of our nation — a chapter in which rural life itself becomes a message to the world.
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2025-09-20 10:38
By Afshin Majlesi
Rageh Canyon: A natural wonder, photographer’s paradise near Rafsanjan in southern Iran
RAFSANJAN (Kerman province) - Nestled just 20 kilometers southeast of Rafsanjan in Iran’s Kerman province, Rageh Canyon is one of the country’s most striking natural landscapes.
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2025-09-06 16:42
Iran-Turkey co-op help boost tourism around Shams Tabrizi mausoleum, expert says
TEHRAN - Joint tourism cooperation between Iran and Turkey could increase the number of visitors to the northwestern Iranian city of Khoy, a local tourism expert said on Thursday.
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2025-08-23 21:58
Over 4.4 million visit Mashhad for major religious event
TEHRAN - Mashhad, the capital of Iran’s northeastern Khorasan Razavi province and home to the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.), has hosted more than 4.4 million visitors over a nine-day period that marked one of the largest religious gatherings of the year.
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2025-08-10 16:57
By Hani Rastegaran
Lost opportunities: The untapped potential of Iran’s tourism industry
Over the past two decades, despite Iran’s significant natural and cultural potential, attracting foreign tourists—especially leisure travelers interested in historical and cultural tourism from Europe and North America—has faced serious obstacles.
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2025-07-26 17:41
Constitution House of Tabriz: where Iran’s struggle for democracy has its roots in
TEHRAN - Nestled beside the historic bazaar of Tabriz in the heart of northwest Iran, the Constitution House of Tabriz -- locally known as Khaneh Mashrouteh -- stands as a powerful symbol of Iran’s early democratic aspirations.
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2025-07-16 19:05
By Afshin Majlesi
Exclusive: The story behind Iran’s first Paleolithic World Heritage site
TEHRAN – In a landmark moment for Iran’s cultural heritage, the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the first time Iran’s Paleolithic heritage has received such recognition.
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2025-07-09 16:40
By Afshin Majlesi
Cultural heritage is a voice against hostile narratives, Iran tourism minister says
TEHRAN – In a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, along with his deputies, addressed the ministry’s role in shaping cultural resilience during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.
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2025-06-25 19:54
By Afshin Majlesi
West Azarbaijan: a journey through history, nature, and diversity
URMIA – Tourists arriving in West Azarbaijan province are immediately drawn into a world where every hill and ancient ruin narrates a story of past empires and cultural exchanges.
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2025-06-06 17:26
By Afshin Majlesi
Soheili village: a model of sustainable tourism in southern Iran
QESHM ISLAND - As a journalist focused on tourism and cultural heritage, my recent journey to Soheili village, located on the sun-kissed Qeshm Island in southern Iran, felt less like a reporting mission and more like uncovering a hidden gem with astonishing potential.
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2025-05-09 17:21
By Afshin Majlesi
Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism
KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.
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2025-04-18 17:18
By Afshin Majlesi
Iran celebrates Intl. Day for Monuments and Sites amid rich cultural legacy
TEHRAN - Each year on April 18, many countries across the globe celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) — a date dedicated to recognizing and protecting the cultural treasures that connect us to the past.
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2025-03-17 17:36
By Afshin Majlesi
Nowruz in Tehran embraces tranquility amidst urban splendor
TEHRAN - As Nowruz approaches, Tehran’s hustle and bustle gives way to serene tranquility, offering visitors a unique perspective on the Iranian capital.
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2025-03-04 18:15
Qazvin’s Jameh Mosque: a testament to centuries of architectural brilliance
TEHRAN - The Jameh Mosque of Qazvin, also known as the Friday Mosque of Qazvin, stands as one of Iran’s oldest and most historically significant mosques.
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2025-02-25 18:11
By Afshin Majlesi
Tour operators express surprise over the real image of Iran
ISFAHAN - In a striking revelation that counters long-standing negative perceptions, 100 international tour operators from 25 countries recently visited Iran’s ancient city of Isfahan and expressed their astonishment at the reality they encountered.
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2025-01-04 17:31
By Afshin Majlesi
Lar: a journey through time and culture
Lar is a city where history whispers through its traditional bazaars, centuries-old caravanserais, mosques, ancient ramparts, bizarre-shaped cisterns, and above all, the warm hospitality of its residents. The city’s amalgam of new and old constructions creates a unique rhythm that makes every corner worth discovering.
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2024-11-12 17:18
Hasht Behesht: a jewel of Safavid architecture in Isfahan
TEHRAN – Standing tall in the heart of Isfahan, Hasht Behesht (“Eight Paradises”) is a must-see historic mansion and a captivating reminder of Iran’s Safavid era.
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2024-09-16 17:58
Climate change impact on Iran’s cultural heritage debated by task force
TEHRAN – On Monday, the first meeting of the Climate Change and Cultural Heritage Task Force was convened in Tehran.
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2024-09-09 18:17
By Afshin Majlesi
From salt domes to sand sculptures: Iran’s geological gems await
TEHRAN – Imagine exploring a land where geological wonders stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most renowned natural sites in the world.
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2024-08-27 18:08
By Afshin Majlesi
Affordable adventures await in these six must-visit cities
TEHRAN - With a history stretching back over 6,000 years, Iran is one of the world’s most appealing destinations for budget-conscious travelers.
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2024-08-07 18:03
Naqsh-e Jahan: a journey through Isfahan’s architectural marvel
TEHRAN – Located in the heart of Isfahan, the ancient city that graces the crossroads of Iran’s north-south and east-west routes, Naqsh-e Jahan is jewel of the Safavid era (1501-1736).
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2024-07-31 17:59
Tehran street leads visitors to unique blend of religious harmony
TEHRAN - Si-e Tir, a cobblestone one-way street stretching northward, is renowned as a unique reflection of religious diversity in the bustling heart of the Iranian capital.
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2024-07-27 18:14
Iran's Ecbatana added to UNESCO World Heritage list
TEHRAN – Ecbatana, a treasured ancient city of Iran known for its profound historical and cultural significance, has been officially inscribed on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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2024-07-21 17:34
By Afshin Majlesi
Opportunities and challenges awaiting new minister of tourism and cultural heritage
As Iran stands on the cusp of forming its new cabinet, journalists and experts are urgently calling for the selection of a highly capable and adept minister to lead the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.
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2024-07-16 18:38
By M.A. Saki
Belarus is a hidden gem
MINSK – On July 7, as the sun was setting, a tall and thin young man was waiting for me from Iran and another journalist from Kazakhstan at Minsk airport. He said I welcome you to Belarus on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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2024-07-13 17:46
Explore Sepahsalar mosque-school in downtown Tehran
TEHRAN – Located in the bustling heart of Tehran, the Sepahsalar mosque-school stands as a magnificent testament to Persian architectural ingenuity and cultural heritage.
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2024-06-22 17:48
Alvand range: discover hidden charms from valleys to peaks
TEHRAN – Spanning the breathtaking landscapes of Hamedan province, the Alvand mountain range beckons nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts with its awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling escapades.
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2024-06-11 17:25
By Afshin Majlesi
Wonders of Uzbekistan: a ten-day travel experience
From my childhood, the names of Samarkand and Bukhara have been etched into my memory; whether in poems, school classes, grandmother’s tales, or stories in my books, those names always lingered in the back of my mind.
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2024-06-05 20:34
By Afshin Majlesi
Discovering Samarkand: Mausoleum of Amir Timur through the eyes of foreign tourists
UZBEKISTAN, Samarkand - During a recent visit to Samarkand, I explored a number of historical gems, including Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, and the Mausoleum of Amir Timur, to name a few.