West Azarbaijan province to boost rural tourism

TEHRAN- The development of rural tourism and eco-lodge units has been on the agenda of West Azarbaijan province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department for a long time, provincial tourism chief Jalil Jabbari has said.

Excavations resume on Piranshahr’s historical sites

TEHRAN –New rounds of archeological excavations have been commenced on 10 historical sites around Zab River in the city of Piranshahr in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, the provincial tourism chief has said.

Iranian police bust gangs of illegal excavators 

TEHRAN – Iranian police have recently busted five gangs of illegal diggers and antique dealers in the past month in the northwestern West Azarbaijan province.

Four archaeological hills being demarcated in Miandoab

TEHRAN – Teams of Iranian archaeologists have commenced separate surveys to demarcate four archaeological hills situated in Miandoab county, northwestern West Azarbaijan province.

Historical churches in West Azarbaijan undergo rehabilitation works

TEHRAN – Three historical churches, dating back to different historical eras in the northwestern West Azarbaijan province, have undergone restoration, a provincial tourism chief has said.

Demarcation projects begin on 21 historical sites in northwest Iran

TEHRAN- A total of 21 historical sites across the northwestern West Azarbaijan province are being demarcated by teams of archaeologists and cultural heritage experts, a provincial tourism chief has said.

Crumbling but still fabulous: UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleyman

TEHRAN - Photos depict scenes from the UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleyman (“Solomon’s Throne”), a ruined sanctuary in northwest Iran, which is still a source of charm for avid holidaymakers, history buffs and archaeologists.

Discover Ghadamgah, a millennia-old place of worship embedded beneath rock cliff

TEHRAN – The creation of rock architecture across the Iranian plateau is influenced by the religious, geographical, and political atmosphere of their time.

Clay-jar tombs, holding child corpses, unearthed in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Two ancient clay-jar tombs, embracing child corpses, have recently been unearthed near Gerd Ashvan village, West Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Millennia-old relics confiscated in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A batch of prehistorical relics, estimated to date from the time of Mannaeans in the early 1st millennium BC, has recently been seized from an antique dealer near the city of Bukan, West Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Comprehensive tourism plan to be formulated for Lake Urmia

TEHRAN – Iran’s West Azarbaijan province aims to develop a comprehensive tourism plan to boost tourism around Lake Urmia, which was once the largest salt-water lake in West Asia.

First medical tourism center under construction in Urmia

TEHRAN – The first medical tourism center in Urmia, northwestern West Azarbaijan province, is under construction with 30 percent completion so far. 

West Azarbaijan tourist sites, museums available online

TEHRAN – Some tourist attractions and museums in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan can be visited on virtual tours during the coronavirus outbreak in the country, said provincial tourism chief Jalil Jabbari, CHTN reported on Tuesday. 

Foreign arrivals in West Azarbaijan up 12% yr/yr

TEHRAN - The number of international tourists visiting [or passing through] Iran’s West Azarbaijan province rose by 12 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1398 compared to the year earlier.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Lake Urmia in best condition over past decade

TEHRAN – About 10 years ago, Lake Urmia, northwestern Iran, began its gradual death. Photos of the country's largest saltwater lake were going viral those days, worrying every Iranian. But the lake is now experiencing its best condition over the past decade, turning back to the former glory.

UNESCO-registered sanctuary draws 60,000 visitors in year

TEHRAN – Some 60,000 travelers visited Takht-e Soleyman (“Solomon’s Throne”), an ancient isolated sanctuary in northwest Iran, during the past Iranian year 1398 (ended March 20).

Magnitude 5.7 quake hits northwestern Iran, 75 injured

TEHRAN – An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook Qatoor district in Khoy city, West Azarbaijan province.

Foreign visits to Aras Free Zone up 74% in 10 months

TEHRAN – The number of foreign arrivals in Aras Free Zone, northwestern Iran, rose by 74 percent during the first ten months of the [current Iranian calendar] year (started March 21, 2019), IRNA reported. 

Travelers’ camp to bring comfort to visitors of Saint Thaddeus monastery

TEHRAN – A travelers’ campsite is to be established adjacent to the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, northwestern Iran, in order to bring comfort to the visitors of the UNESCO-registered place of worship.

Intelligence Ministry disbands currency smuggling gang in northwestern Iran

TEHRAN – The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has dismantled a team of currency smugglers in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan. 

Monastery of Saint Thaddeus being restored meeting UNESCO standards

TEHRAN - The Monastery of Saint Thaddeus is being restored according to UNESCO standards and benefiting from technical experts, director of Iran’s Armenian monastic ensembles has said.

Relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu found in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeological relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu (860 BC – 590 BC) has recently been found in Anaqizli mount, Chaypareh county, northwest Iran.

22% rise in visits to historical, recreational sites in West Azarbaijan

TEHRAN – Visits to historical and recreational sites in West Azarbaijan province rose 22 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

Major exhibits of tourism, handicrafts underway in Urmia

TEHRAN – Urmia, the capital of West Azarbaijan province, is playing host to major exhibits of tourism and handicrafts from August 17 to 20, CHTN reported.

Visitors to West Azarbaijan museums almost doubles yr/yr

TEHRAN - With its rich culture and unique natural landscapes, Iran’s West Azarbaijan province is becoming an increasingly popular destination for local and even international travelers.

Exhibit to bring together crafters from six provinces

TEHRAN - Tens of crafters and artisans from six provinces will come together to promote skills in a sales exhibit which is to be held in Mahabad, West Azarbaijan province.

Three IRGC forces martyred in terrorist attack in Iran’s northwest

TEHRAN – Three forces with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in a terrorist attack on the IRGC forces in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan.

Development projects worth $1b inaugurated

TEHRAN- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani launched and inaugurated some development, service, and infrastructure projects worth 44.65 trillion rials (about $1.063 billion) in West Azarbaijan Province.

Northwestern Kani Barazan Wetland play host to 30,000 migratory birds

TEHRAN — Some 30,000 migratory birds have winged their ways to Kani Barazan Wetland, located in northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, Mahabad chief of department of environment has said.