South Khorasan Travel Guide Desert Landscapes, Tabas Geopark & Hidden Gems of Eastern Iran South Khorasan Province in Iran is a region where ancient history, vibrant cultural traditions, and a unique desert landscape come together. Often called the “Land of Gems” for its famous saffron and barberry (Zereshk), its identity was shaped as a historic crossroads and a refuge throughout the centuries. Known in the past as Qohestan, it was part of the larger historical region of Greater Khorasan. Some scholars believe the name Qohestan is an Arabicized form of “Kohestan,” meaning “mountainous area,” due to its terrain. Today, South Khorasan remains one of Iran’s most authentic and less-visited provinces, offering travelers a rare opportunity to experience traditional lifestyles, dramatic landscapes, and architectural heritage far from mass tourism. Geography and Landscape of South Khorasan Located in eastern Iran along the border with Afghanistan, South Khorasan is characterized by vast desert plains, rugged mountains, oasis settlements, and wind-shaped rock formations. The climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters, yet life has flourished here for centuries thanks to qanat irrigation systems and resilient local communities. The contrast between golden deserts, green saffron fields, mud-brick villages, and distant mountain ranges creates exceptional opportunities for landscape and documentary photography. Music and Musical Heritage of Khorasan Alongside its landscape and cultural history, South Khorasan is part of Greater Khorasan one of Iran’s richest musical regions. In the north of this region traditional Khorasani music reflects the spiritual, historical, and everyday life of its people, with roots that stretch across eastern Iran and deep into local village and tribal traditions. While the broader Khorasan region is known for the Bakhshi maqami musical tradition — recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, featuring the long-necked dotār lute
South Khorasan Travel Guide Desert Landscapes, Tabas Geopark & Hidden Gems of Eastern Iran South Khorasan Province in Iran is a region where ancient history, vibrant cultural traditions, and a unique desert landscape come together. Often called the “Land of Gems” for its famous saffron and barberry (Zereshk), its identity was shaped as
