Golestan National Park Golestan National Park: A Sanctuary of Breathtaking Biodiversity Nestled in the northeastern corner of Iran, Golestan National Park stands as a testament to the country's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. This vast and diverse protected area encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from dense forests to arid landscapes, creating a haven for an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Golestan Biosphere Reserve is situated in Golestan province of Iran at the border to Turkmenistan. It belongs to the Caucaso-Iranian highlands and is situated in-between the sub-humid and semi-arid Caspian regions. The biosphere reserve represents three biomes: temperate rain forest, cold (continental) winter and semi-deserts and mixed mountain and highland systems. A vast variety of habitats can be found, such as closed forests, open woodlands and shrubs, mountain meadows, steppes, halophytic, hygrophilous and aquatic communities. Golestan is also designated as a national park. Golestan offers a great ethnic diversity. The 26,000 inhabitants (2000) of the biosphere reserve are Turk, Persian and Kurdish. Their main activities consist in agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, industry, silk production and tourism. Adverse effects on the transition area come from traffic, overgrazing of rangelands and deforestation. 1. Introduction: Nature's Masterpiece A. Size and Location Golestan National Park, established in 1957, spans over 900,000 hectares, making it one of the largest national parks in Iran. Located in the Golestan Province, it encompasses a rich tapestry of landscapes. B. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Recognizing its ecological significance, Golestan National Park was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976, underscoring its role in the conservation of biodiversity. 2. Biodiversity Hotspot: Flora and Fauna A. Diverse Ecosystems The park boasts an astonishing diversity of ecosystems, including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, alpine meadows, and vast steppes. Each zone harbors a unique array of
Golestan National Park Golestan National Park: A Sanctuary of Breathtaking Biodiversity Nestled in the northeastern corner of Iran, Golestan National Park stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage. This vast and diverse protected area encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from dense forests to arid landscapes, creating a
Travel to Iran for Photography in Turkmen Plains Iran offers plenty of unexplored regions which are perfect for photographers who would like to travel to Iran for photography, and Iranian Turkmen regions and especially Golestan province is one of them. The Turkmen region of Iran is a part of Golestan province which is located in northeastern Iran in the south of Turkmenistan country. Turkmens speak the Turkic language and they have different sub-branch tribes speaking different dialects. Turkmen people live in different countries of Turkmenistan, northeast Iran, northeastern and northwestern Afghanistan, and neighboring parts of Central Asia. Their population is about 6 million at the beginning of the 21st century and about one-third of the total population lives in Iran. Turkmen Sahra is the name of the Turkmen territory of Golestan province which is an ideal destination for those who travel to Iran for photography. The most important cities of Turkmen Sahra is Gonbad, Aqqala, Kalaleh, Maraveh Tappeh, Gomishan, and Bandar Torkaman. There are many important reasons that attract travel photographers to travel to this part of Iran. Here are some of the main ones. Climate and Weather of Golestan The territory of Turkmenistan reminds us of arid weather while the Turkmen region of Iran has a different climatic condition. The climate of this region is affected by the Caspian Sea weather system from the west, surrounded by the eastern part of the Alborz Mountain range from the south and east, and connected to the arid weather of Turkmenistan in the north. In addition, the dense Hyrcanian forests (UNESCO) in the southern part of Golestan, between the plain in the north and the Alborz Range in the south, have provided favorable weather for traveling to this strategic point in Iran. The pleasant weather of this region enables a longer
Travel to Iran for Photography in Turkmen Plains Iran offers plenty of unexplored regions which are perfect for photographers who would like to travel to Iran for photography, and Iranian Turkmen regions and especially Golestan province is one of them. The Turkmen region of Iran is a part of Golestan province which is located in
Iran Turkmen Plains Golestan Province Tourist Highlights Stretching across Golestan Province in northeastern Iran, the Turkmen Plains (Dasht-e Turkmen) offer a captivating blend of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and unique biodiversity. This lesser-known region is home to the Turkmen people, whose vibrant culture—seen in their handwoven carpets, spirited horse games (Buzkashi), and distinctive yurt dwellings—adds rich authenticity to the landscape. The plains merge seamlessly with the Golestan National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where visitors can spot rare wildlife like the Persian leopard and wild sheep. Ideal for off-the-beaten-path adventures, the Turkmen Plains invite travelers to experience horseback riding, nomadic homestays, and the annual Turkmen Silk and Spice Festival. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast or a nature lover, this frontier region promises an unforgettable glimpse into Iran’s diverse heritage. Golestan province is one of the untraveled routes of Iran offering a wide range of attractions, activities, and tourist highlights. It is located in the southeast of the Caspian Sea, and southern part of Turkmenistan country. Golestan means the land of flowers. The rural parts of this province are rich in flora and fauna, and you will be amazed at its variety of animal and plant species. In fact, Golestan province is one of the greenest parts of Iran. Golestan Main Tourist Highlights Golestan National Park Golestan National Park is one of the tourist highlights of Golestan province which enjoys remarkable ecosystem diversity. There is a large variety of wildlife in the park, and a huge variety of birds live there. Golestan National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Iran. The park is a protected area managed by the Iranian Environmental Organization. Along with the natural attractions, there are many other historical and cultural attractions in Golestan province too. Gonbad-e Qabus (UNESCO) Gonbad-e Qabus also
Iran Turkmen Plains Golestan Province Tourist Highlights Stretching across Golestan Province in northeastern Iran, the Turkmen Plains (Dasht-e Turkmen) offer a captivating blend of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and unique biodiversity. This lesser-known region is home to the Turkmen people, whose vibrant culture—seen in their handwoven carpets, spirited horse games (Buzkashi), and distinctive yurt dwellings—adds
Jahan Nama Protected Area A small village of Jahan Nama by the Caspian Sea gave the name to the vast Jahan Nama Protected Area in the Golestan Province in Iran. With rich wildlife, including wild sheep and goats, wolfs, panthers, bears, weasels, owls, eagles, cuckoos, woodpeckers, and porcupines, Jahan Nama is also famous for its variety of plants and trees, including barberry, Sorkhdar, Kolah-e Mir Hassan, Bolandmaza Namdar, Borage Cowslip, Ras, Darmaneh, and many others. During the studies performed here between 1999 and 2008, 1,350 species were identified, including 607 vascular plant species from 85 families. There are also many seasonal birds in the park and a lot of rivers and springs. The highlands of Jahannama are the most suitable habitats for various hunting birds such as the golden eagles, as well as large partridges. Jahan Nama Park, with an area of about 38 ha, is the largest protected area in Mazandaran province, after Golestan National Park. It is part of the Hyrcanian forests (UNESCO), which are among the oldest forests in the world. The beauties and attractions of the Jahan Nama region are not only limited to its rich flora and fauna and intact nature. The 35-meter Radkan Tower, also known as Mil Radkan, is one of the main historical attractions in this area. It is a cylindrical brick tower dating back to the 13th century. Ziarat Waterfall is another natural attraction in the northeast of the region, located about 5km from Ziarat Village. The village is one of the most beautiful tourist villages in Iran. The pristine nature of the park makes it an ideal hiking destination and we, at Adventure Iran, have created a long hiking trail, which starts south of the Great Gorgan Wall and stretches all the way to the Jahan Nama National Park.
Jahan Nama Protected Area A small village of Jahan Nama by the Caspian Sea gave the name to the vast Jahan Nama Protected Area in the Golestan Province in Iran. With rich wildlife, including wild sheep and goats, wolfs, panthers, bears, weasels, owls, eagles, cuckoos, woodpeckers, and porcupines, Jahan Nama is also famous for its variety
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older than the Great Wall of China. It has the remains of 38 fortifications and stretches for almost 200km. The Wall is believed by some to be the longest manmade ancient barrier between Central Europe and China and even longer than the Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall put together. Since there was not any stone or timber in the area, the wall was constructed with bricks. Substantial sections of the Great Wall of Gorgan appear, however, to be buried under the Caspian Sea. Together with the Tammisheh Wall, a shorter defensive barrier of similar design, also dating from the Sasanid time, both walls were part of the same defense system and were built of large fired bricks of similar shape and size and lined by an earth bank and ditch supplied with water by the canals. The canals bridged the Gorgan River via qanats. The Wall and the canals prove the hydraulic engineering skills of the Iranians in the Sassanid era. https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-province-and-turkmen-plain-tourist-highlights/ https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-national-park/
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older
Gonbad-e Qabus Iran’s Towering UNESCO Masterpiece of Architecture Rising 52 meters above the skyline of Golestan Province, the Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) is a striking brick tower and UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2012) that has dominated the northeastern Iranian plains for over a millennium. Built in 1006 AD for Qabus ibn Voshmgir, the Ziyarid ruler and scholar, this cylindrical tomb is a testament to Persian innovation in mathematics, astronomy, and early Islamic architecture. Why It’s Remarkable Architectural Marvel: The world’s tallest pure-brick tower, with a conical roof that defies gravity. Its design encodes geometric precision—10 triangular buttresses symbolize the 10 stars of Qabus’ zodiac sign (Capricorn). Acoustic Mystery: Whisper at the base, and your voice echoes unnaturally at the top—a feat still unexplained by engineers. Silk Road Legacy: Once a navigation beacon for caravans crossing the Karakum Desert toward Central Asia. Visiting Tips Best Time: Sunrise or sunset, when the brick glows gold against the steppe. Nearby: Pair with the Turkmen Plains or Gorgan’s ancient wall (the "Great Wall of Iran"). A small agricultural town of Gonbad-e Qabus lies approx. 500km east of Mashhad, in Golestan province, Iran. According to the two Kufic inscriptions encircling the construction, the tower was built in 1006 as a burial chamber for a Ziyarid prince. It is 72m high and is one of the tallest brick towers in the world. The tower walls are 3 meters thick and the tower itself is 17 meters in diameter. It is part of the world’s second-largest defense wall, the 155km-long Qizil Alan. The tower, built of unglazed baked bricks, is the only remaining evidence of the ancient city of Jorjan. Jorjan was the ancient Ziyarid capital, destroyed during the Mongols' invasion in the 14th and 15th centuries. Gonbad-e Qabus Tower is
Gonbad-e Qabus Iran’s Towering UNESCO Masterpiece of Architecture Rising 52 meters above the skyline of Golestan Province, the Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) is a striking brick tower and UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2012) that has dominated the northeastern Iranian plains for over a millennium. Built in 1006 AD for
The Caspian Sea North of Iran The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, situated in south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia. It is surrounded by 5 different countries, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The Sea is home to a wide range of species. More than 850 different animals and at least 500 different types of plants live in this sea. However, the diversity of species can be considered almost too low for the size of this water body, most of them being indigenous like caviar. In Persian, the Caspian Sea is called Daryaye Kahzar, which is doubtlessly one of the most beautiful parts of Iran. In the summertime, millions of people from all over the country, especially Tehran, travel to this coast. In Iran, it is also known as Shomal-e Iran meaning Northern Iran, an area along the coast of the Sea. The forested coastal plains rise up to the Alborz Mountains. This region consists of the three provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, each with plenty of attractions. The climate of the southern Caspian Sea is perfect for agriculture. There is an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs as well as rice and tea, so important to Iranian culture. Northern Iran, to the south of the Sea, is the rainiest region. In addition, the area is located in the northern part of the Alborz Mountain Range with a lot of high-altitude mountains, where melted snow has created splendid rivers. Furthermore, there are many exquisite dense forests between the Alborz Mountains and the Caspian Sea. One of the most famous is the Hyrcanian Forests, registered on the list of UNESCO natural sites. There is also another UNESCO site in this region. Gonbad-e Qabus tower is a UNESCO world heritage site, being the tallest pure-brick tower in
The Caspian Sea North of Iran The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, situated in south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia. It is surrounded by 5 different countries, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The Sea is home to a wide range of species. More than 850 different animals and at least 500 different
