Introduction to Lorestan Province and its Scenic and Tourist Attractions

What kind of city is Lorestan? Let us first introduce you and beautiful Lorestan. The name Lorestan means the habitat of the Lor people. This province, with Khorramabad as its center and 11 counties, is located in the west of the country. From the point of view of climate Have you noticed that we Iranians always boast about our country having four seasons? Lorestan is exactly an example of one of the four-season and pleasant-weather provinces. Due to the presence of the Zagros mountain range, it is considered a mountainous land and the average rainfall in it is high. (The third rainiest province in the country after Gilan and Mazandaran). From a historical point of view The rich history of Lorestan does not need definition and praise! It is enough to know that Lorestan is the only province in Iran that has one of the four main sections of the National Museum of Iran. The traces of life in this area go back to the migration of the Mad people, and even before that. Communication methods In order to get yourself to Lorestan, you can use three ways of travel: road, air and rail. If you start your journey by road and from Tehran, you have about 400 kilometers to Lorestan. To travel by train, you can book a ticket to the city of Andimeshk and Dorud. For an easy and hassle-free air travel, you can get your ticket from Ali Baba in a few minutes and be in the center of Lorestan with a one-hour time difference. What are the best places to visit in Lorestan? Sightseeing in Lorestan is mostly of the nature tourism type. Of course, we don't mean that you will be deprived of facilities in Lorestan. The city has its own restaurants, hotels and modern centers. But the competitive advantage compared to other cities is the nature of Lorestan. You must have heard that this city has been given the title of Paradise of Iranian Waterfalls. It is better to start introducing the tourist attractions of Lorestan so that you can get acquainted with the beauties of this area yourself. Tourist attractions of Lorestan 1. Falak-ol-Aflak Castle; A sight to see in Lorestan Even if you don't know anything about Lorestan, you have probably heard the name Falak-ol-Aflak. This castle is the most prominent symbol of the city, which has been left over from the Sasanian era. Its location is on a hill overlooking Khorramabad, and for this reason, it is visible from almost everywhere in the city. This mysterious fortress has been used by various rulers from the Sasanian to the Qajar period, and its name has also been changed at least three or four times! (The names of Dezh Shapour, Atabakan Castle, Twelve-Tower Castle, etc. are among the old names of the tower). Until the Qajar period, the use of the tower was as a command center or the residence of the rulers. But currently, it is considered as one of the tourist attractions of Khorramabad. The architecture of Falak-ol-Aflak is in the form of an asymmetrical octagonal plan with a rectangular pattern. It has an area of 3,500 square meters, two courtyards and twelve towers, and brickwork, tiling and plastering have been used in its decorations. In this historical complex, there is also a valuable anthropology museum that you can visit. Interesting works from the customs of the people of Lorestan to the objects of the Achaemenid period are displayed in this museum. 2. Lake Gahar, a paradise in Zagros Without exaggeration, Gahar is one of the most beautiful lakes in Iran. Every year, thousands of tourists go to Lorestan to see this enchanting lake. To reach Gahar, you must first get yourself to the city of Dorud. From there, you are about 35 kilometers away from the lake. Are you thinking why you should go this way and see the lake up close? Good question! With 85 hectares, Gahar is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country. The unique diversity of plant and animal species of Gahar cannot be found anywhere. From pistachio, oak, willow, pear, fig, hawthorn, various flowers to protected animals such as goats, deer, leopards, rabbits, etc. live in this area. Most importantly, Gahar is located next to the Alps of Iran, i.e. Oshtorankuh mountain. For nature lovers, clean and unique air, clear and transparent water, sandy and rocky beach, has provided the best camping space. So if you want to see the nature of Lorestan in a complete package, be sure to add the Gahar program to your list. 3. Bisheh Waterfall, a symphony of Lorestan nature One of the sights of Lorestan that is registered in the list of natural heritage of Iran is Bisheh Waterfall. In order to understand the greatness of the waterfall, it is good to know that Bisheh has a height of 48 meters and a width of 20 meters. The waterfall path has good asphalt access and is located 60 kilometers from Khorramabad. Of course, if you wish, you can also use the rail access at Dorud station. Watching the amazing Bisheh waterfall is just like the movies! Imagine that you are near the railway, you reach oak trees and the beautiful Zagros mountains, here a clear and high waterfall appears in front of you, which has come out of the heart of the mountain and only the sound of water and nature is heard. How can you not be intoxicated by seeing this view? 4. Khazineh Valley, a wonder in the sights of Lorestan Recently, a photo comparing the Khazineh Valley of Lorestan and the Grand Canyon of America has become a trend on social networks. If I want to be honest, the Khazineh Valley really has nothing less than its American counterpart. It may be hard to believe, but the entire form of this valley has been created by water erosion; a complete natural carving! Khazineh Valley is one of the best places to visit in Lorestan for mountaineers, rock climbers and, in general, those interested in adrenaline! If you have the heart, you can also try the suspension bridge located in the valley. This old bridge is about 85 meters high and 112 meters long; a height close to a 30-story building! Khazineh Valley is located in the middle of the road from Poldokhtar to Andimeshk, in the village of Khazineh. 5. Keeyou Lake, one of the sights of Lorestan in the heart of the city It is rare to have a natural lake right in the middle of the city. But in beautiful Khorramabad, anything is possible! Due to the existence of special plant species on the bottom of the water, the color of the lake turns blue. For this reason, it is named Keeyou, which in Luri means blue and dark. The location and proximity to the city's facilities have attracted many tourists to Keeyou Lake. In this sight of Khorramabad, you can experience various water recreations such as boating, water skiing, jet skiing, etc. In addition, if you are lucky, you will probably enjoy watching migratory birds. 6. The inverted tulip plain, the red dress of Lorestan nature Do you believe that the largest plain of inverted tulips in the world is in Iran and Lorestan? This amazing plain is located in the city of Aligudarz and is one of the most popular sights of Lorestan. Two very rare types of tulips called Susen Chelcheragh and Ashk Maryam bloom in the Aligudarz plain (even their names are magnificent!). The dreamy view of the flowers starts from the southeast of Aligudarz and continues to the slopes of Zagros. Just note that to see the inverted tulip plain in its most beautiful state, be sure to plan your trip in the spring. 7. Shirz Strait, a mysterious valley in the sights of Lorestan Shirz Strait is just like a fictional land. An amazing area that is located at the point of intersection of Lorestan, Ilam and Kermanshah. The valley path is covered with colorful flowers and wild pear trees, grapes, oaks, plane trees and figs. If you go to the strait in the fruit season of the trees, you can also taste their natural taste. In the middle of the valley, there is a crystal and clear river, and even its fish can be seen. At the end of the strait, there is a cave that is a relic of the cave-dwelling era of history, and along the way, there are strong and solid rocks covered with plants and vines. In short, there is a world of wonders and adventures in Shirz Strait that is really not easy to describe. If you want to see the nature of Lorestan in its most unique state, be sure to visit Shirz. 8. Helt Strait, the music of water and rock We recommend Helt Strait in Poldokhtar to photographers first. You can take dozens of journal and attractive photos from the form and beauty of this strait. Helt, like Khazineh Valley, is one of the sights of Lorestan that has been created by nature itself. The passage of the Zal River over time has caused erosion of the rocks and eventually created the Helt Strait. An interesting point is that there are no plants inside the Helt Strait. Everything you see here is a magnificent symbiosis of rock and water. 9. Sefid Waterfall If we go a little further on the Aligudarz road, we will reach Sefid Waterfall. Here, the water flows from the heart of the rock and flows into the Zagros slopes. The 70-meter height of the waterfall has caused the air to combine and hit the stones with pressure. As a result of this process, a bubbly and white state is created, which makes the water of the waterfall look completely white. For this reason, this attraction is known among the people as Sefid Waterfall. The plant and forest cover of the area, the beauty of the surrounding mountains and rocks (especially Ghali Kooh) and the fresh and mineral water, attract many tourists every year to see Sefid Waterfall to the sights of Lorestan. 10. Makhmal Kooh, green and green to infinity If you like walking in nature, we have a great suggestion for you. Makhmal Kooh has both convenient access and a unique nature. To reach this mountain, it is enough to go to 22 Bahman Square in Khorramabad. Get off at the end of Vali Asr Street and start your exciting walk from here. The naming of Makhmal Kooh is due to the existence of lichen. The mountains of the area have a sedimentary texture and are mostly covered with lichen. With the cover of this beautiful velvet, everything is green and green in the mountains as far as the eye can see. Recently, a forest park has also been built in the northern part of Makhmal Kooh, which is highly recommended to see in the spring. 11. Bam-e Shahr, from the sights of Lorestan at night After sightseeing in Lorestan, do you want some peace and quiet? Go to Bam-e Lorestan. This tourist attraction is located in the east of Khorramabad and above Madbeh Mountain. To be honest, Madbeh Mountain does not have a remarkable plant cover and nature; but its advantage is having a view of the whole city. By going to Bam-e Lorestan, you can watch the beauty of the city (especially at night) in complete peace. Pleasant weather, welfare facilities and the Kasin Observatory are other features of this tourist attraction of Khorramabad. 12. Nozhian Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Lorestan nature Another of the sights of Lorestan and, of course, the highest one, is Nozhian Waterfall. To see the waterfall, you must go 40 kilometers southeast of Khorramabad. Then, with a not-so-long walk in nature, you will reach Nozhian. Visiting this 95-meter waterfall in the spring is a very pleasant experience. Green plant cover, dense trees and medicinal plants, along with clear and natural water, have created a stunning view in Nozhian. 13. Neygah Valley, the river in the arms of the rock After the waterfalls, it is the straits and valleys that have special importance among the sights of Lorestan province. Neygah Valley is another wonder of Lorestan nature, which is located near Gahar Lake. Neygah is about 20 kilometers long and eventually ends in the village of Ti. Sightseeing in this valley requires skill in nature tourism and mountaineering due to the difficult-to-pass points. Especially in the wet seasons like May, when the river rises completely and crossing it requires tools. In any case, the beauty of Neygah, with the presence of edible plants such as rhubarb, almond and pear trees, the companionship of the river and the rock, etc., is worth the difficulties of the path. 14. Abu House, from the sights of Lorestan in the historical section After introducing several natural attractions in the sights of Lorestan, it is time to visit the historical relics. The beautiful and famous Abu building was built in the early Pahlavi period and in the center of Khorramabad. Stone, adobe, wood and lime materials and unique decorations, with an attractive combination, show off in this building. The architecture of the mansion is very nostalgic and in the style of three-door and five-door rooms. The lovely courtyard of the mansion is designed in two summer and winter sections with a fountain and a water basin in the center. Incidentally, in recent years, Abu House has been included in the list of Iran's cultural heritage, and if you are interested in art and history, be sure to visit it. 15. Jame Mosque of Borujerd, from the ancient sights of Lorestan One of the tourist attractions of Lorestan in the city of Borujerd is its old Jame Mosque. After the entry of Islam into Iran, many fire temples were destroyed and mosques were built on them. Borujerd Mosque is a relic of the same era, which today is considered one of the historical masterpieces in terms of ancient and Islamic architecture. The mosque is built in the style of a four-arched Iranian with brick, tile and plaster decorations. If you pass through Borujerd on your trip to Lorestan, be sure to visit this ancient attraction and its artistic architecture. 16. Chogha Hill, a recreational complex in the heart of the city Chogha Hill is one of the sights of Lorestan in the city of Borujerd. The city has a very attractive view from the top of this hill. This beautiful view and landscape attracts many tourists and people. Various recreational facilities are located on Chogha Hill. For example, in a part of the hill, there is a bird garden with 78 different species. On the other side of the hill, there is Fadak Garden, with three lakes and water recreations. Gazebos, children's play equipment, the tomb of unknown martyrs and beautiful statues are other attractions of Chogha Hill. 17. Greit Waterfall, clear water in Lorestan nature Greit Waterfall is a little far from Khorramabad (about 50 kilometers); but it was really a pity that it was not mentioned in the introduction of the sights of Lorestan. Greit Waterfall is not as high as the famous waterfalls of Lorestan. In fact, the height of the water reaches a maximum of 15 meters. But what has made a unique view of this attraction is the model of the waterfall's cascading, the oak and hawthorn trees around it, and its pleasant weather. Among the local people, the waterfall is known as Haft Cheshmeh Taf, so if you happen to hear this name, know that it refers to this Greit Waterfall. 18. Kalmakareh Cave, from the ancient treasures of the world One of the tourist attractions of Lorestan in the city of Poldokhtar is Kalma Kareh Cave. In this cave, many artifacts from Iranian civilization (especially during the Achaemenid and Sasanian periods) have been extracted; from almond-shaped fish bowls to various ancient masks. Currently, some of these treasures are kept in the Louvre Museum, the British Museum and New York. If you are interested in seeing this limestone cave, you can go from Poldokhtar to Dareh Bagh village and from there take a mountain path to the cave. 19. Kahman Valley, the king's seat of Lorestan nature The ancient and tourist Kahman Valley is one of the sights of Lorestan in the city of Aleshtar. This valley has a wonderful climate, its historical importance is high, and a beautiful plant cover covers its entire area. In Kahman Valley, you will see as many natural springs as you want, which have sprung from the heart of the earth and given new life to the nature of Lorestan. Next to Kahman Valley, there is a river of the same name, on the sides of which almond and walnut trees can be seen. If you want to get acquainted with the beautiful Zagros up close, Kahman Valley (known as Takht Shah) is one of the best choices for you. 20. Azna Snow Tunnel, a wonder in the sights of Lorestan Do you remember that we talked about the four seasons of Lorestan province? As the last attraction, let's visit the exciting and snowy tunnel in the city of Azna. Walking in a snow tunnel with the pleasant sound of water dripping cannot be experienced anywhere. This amazing attraction has been created naturally over time. Its length is 800 meters and the ceiling height is between 2.5 to 3 meters. This attraction can only be visited in spring and summer. To reach the snow tunnel, you must go about 25 kilometers from the city of Azna towards the Oshtorankuh region, after which you will reach your destination with a one-hour walk next to the clear rivers and medicinal plants of Oshtorankuh. Just be careful, due to the high cold and the risk of falling, be sure to visit with the necessary preparation and specialist groups.