Zanjan Tourism Guide

Zanjan, known for its fantastic bazaar, knife-grinders and tea houses was the next stop on my journey through Iran. Zanjan was the first place I crashed at someone’s home in Iran — found through Couchsurfing — and got to sample some homecooking. From Zanjan, I visited nearby Oljeitu Mausoleum built for a sultan 600 years ago. In case you’re keeping track, at 80 feet in diameter and 160 feet high it’s the world’s tallest brick dome.

My hosts in Zanjan cooked Indian food for me one night since I had just traveled in India and they had lived there for many years.

Grand Oljeitu Mausoleum
One of many beautiful tea houses. As I mentioned, tea is like its own religion in Iran. This particular tea house is 400 years old.

From Zanjan, I made my way to Hamadan, which was once one of the ancient world’s greatest cities and is believed to be approximately 3,000 years old. It was tops on my itinerary for a lot of reasons. Not only were there a lot of cool historic sights, but the city itself is also beautiful and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. As has been the constant theme in Iran, I also made some good friends there who worked at a hip coffee shop, which became my hang-out spot when I just wanted to chill.

Hamadan

Original 3,000 year old walls of Hamadan

Had a multi-religion day and visited a 200-year-old church, Judaism’s Ester’s tomb and a golden mosque.

Also visited 2,500-year-old Ganjnameh — two cuneiform rock carvings from former Persian kings Xerxes and Darius to the Zoroastrian (Iran’s original religion before Islam came) god Ahura Mazda thanking him for making them very good kings.
Hooka’d it up and had some tea and nabat (sugar crystals) with my new friends after our visit to the Ganjnameh.

Barista friend and his delicious coffee ice cream drink concoction

Visited a friend’s bakery and had some fluffy, tasty komaj, a famous pastry in Hamadan.

Found wisdom in the park

Specifications and geographical conditions:
Watch the environment and wildlife news Iran: Red-Abad region in resolution No. 149 dated 11/27/1375 Environment Council as a bay protected area managed by the Environmental Protection Agency has joined Abad regions.
With an area of ​​122 618 hectares of protected area SORKHABAD between two mountain ranges in the north and south of the province of Zanjan city is located.
This region due to specific ecological conditions and having diverse habitats and mountainous, desert and aquatic environments of high diversity of plants and animals.
Plain SOHARIN within the region as a habitat for deer is valuable.
Elevation ranges from 500 to 2900 m, average annual rainfall of 500 mm and 11 ° C temperature region has a temperate Mediterranean climate is semi-arid.
The most important protected area Prairie Rose Abad include: plain SOHARIN, Sarmsaqlv, Qara Tapa, ALMALOO, Kz·h goes on and the surface flow area Ghazalozan and other rivers, including Jyzvan, head, head, red-Abad, Jewish, gem, Anzr , Sarmsaqlv, Nagorno-flow deals, pairs are slow.
SORKHABAD important heights in the protected area include: mountain cellar, red-Abad, Kal Kash, Algnaf, Dyng·h hot, dog house, Khyralmsjd, Tvash hot, hot Buick, interested JAL, the ball Nlan (Sari village), Mountain Plng·h (Ksvan) Mount Castle (sheet), mountain Shmam (Jyzvan), Gljyn, Hot Kitty, dog house (Rashid Abad), Zrsh, Chvnvbashy (Vlydr Police), Kuhbijar (Sorkhe Moshe)
SORKHABAD important valleys in the so-called protected area is said to be local to that paragraph are imprisoned Rashid Abad, Jyzvan, Red Abad, head, head, Gljyn, Police, clean and Vlydr, secondary and Mary and xeric Valley.
The most important area springs and canals are: Canal Nhyl, Flower Mound, Kzbr, garden Amini, Kanavand, Yengejeh, Legahi, Kanavand, ponds Sarmsaqlv, Nagorno-flow deals and hot springs and mineral water Vananaq, Canyon Lake, Tlan ball.
A migration corridor towards the plains SOHARIN especially for Ford winter and spring hunting roe deer fillet region.
SORKHABAD inside the protected area there are five stations, including stations in synoptic climatology, climatological and rain polls. It is worth noting SORKHABAD protected area in the north, especially the tenderloin forbids hunting area is located.
Srmhyt Bonnie Marie SOHARIN and environmental monitoring stations are responsible for protecting the area.

tourism attraction:
The most important tourist attractions in the area include: hot springs and mineral water Vananaq, Glacier Vlydr, cold meadow and waterfall Sorkhe cited Moshe.

social situation:
47 villages, including 4,380 households with a population of 18 758 people live in this area and in terms of livelihood, income residents and livestock farmers in the region are provided.

Vegetation:
Plant indicator species protected area SORKHABAD include: juniper, walnut, black Tello and other species include hawthorn, wild pomegranate, hackberry, barberry, olives, astragalus, thyme, artemisia, hats Mir, CHUBAK, tulips, Savory and are orchids.

Indicator species of animal:
SORKHABAD animal indicator species protected area include:
Mammals: deer, leopards, brown bears, sheep, goats, wild boar, hyena, porcupine, stone marten, ground squirrels, Rudaki
According to a census conducted in October 1392, No. 1650 heads of deer were counted in the plain SOHARIN.
Birds: Quebec Derry, bustard, eagle, hawk, slab, Grey Goose, teal, white stork, cormorant
Reptiles and Amphibians: ASP Alborz, Iran's horned viper, viper Zanjani
Fish: carp, bream, catfish

Regional conflicts and threats:
There airports, barracks, plowing and cultivating unauthorized, illegal hunting, Nzyrjadh of development projects, dams, power transmission pipelines, oil, gas, electricity and telecommunications, the expansion of communication, human constructions, sewage and rural waste, the expansion of dry farming wheat fields and gardens, dug deep wells and proximity to the city.

Specifications and geographical conditions of Wildlife and Protected Area grapes:

Vine area under protection in 1345 and part of the South East Region Conservation Act No. 366 Grapes in the Supreme Council of the Environment (State Infrastructure Commission) dated 06.01.1391 was introduced as a wildlife sanctuary.
Grapes 92 180 hectare protected area and wildlife sanctuary Anguran is 29 812 hectares and is located in the city of Zanjan province are Mahneshan.
Elevation ranges from 1280 to 2200 m, 400 mm average annual rainfall and temperature, the region has a semi-arid climate is temperate.
Grape named Balqis and pollen corona is both safe area.
In this area because of the ponds and ponds, in winter and spring Godard embraces many species of migratory waterfowl is the most important of them can be coot, common shelduck, flamenco, some ducks, black storks and flamingoes points a.
Lobby immigration Bilqis a safe area safe area within the protected area of ​​grape vines for Ford Wildlife Refuge in Nagorno-horn sheep winter and spring this region.

Height:
Important elevations in the mountains Anguran Bilqis, Qaryaqdy, Janqrtaran, Sender Fund, Qvshkar, Sari Sacks, Towzlu, dry-Kahn, Chaldagh, Qvshasvry and is Blbk.

water resources:
The surface flow is the area Ghazalozan and other rivers include grapes tea, Dundee, Science Kennedy, Kaka, Aleppo, Alleluia, tea castle, fairy tea and tea are Gorgor.

valleys:
The famous Valley area can be Qyz wing, Dvnqvzdrh C, Svnaavln, Drvyshlrdamy, Surrey grass, Avjaqlv, Sulley Kahn, AGHBOLAGH, whoa Gorge Glablv, Apraq, Kshkhan, passion pollen Valley crown, Astqyl Drmasy, martyr Lrh Nagorno cute, Aq the Drmasy, Pshtvk, captive Mahneshan, Amir Abad, Kaka, Juq Castle, Black house, Quzlu, Ghezeljeh, Sumpter and Delic noted Dash and plains of the region, including Surrey Yaz Yaz and Dundee are.

Tourist Attractions:
Mountains, foothills, plains, landscapes, pristine water and in some areas, restricted zones of forest and pasture land, the most important visual attraction Wildlife and Protected Area grapes with the aim of ecotourism. Attractions in the region is created.
The most important tourist attractions grapes can be Jost village castle, the village Quzlu, captive Sumpter, Castle Qvshasvry, Takht-e Soleiman, temples Adhargushasb, Bilqis mountain, river Ghazalozan, Fritillaria, countryside area, hot springs, Behestan castle, chimney Jen, church and around the village mentioned Bayanlu, Kurdistan.

social situation:
Village number 48, the number of households in 1946, the population of 8903 people, 4406 people, male, female Number 4497 ​​people, the number of illiterate people literate 5208 people and 2645 people.

Protection:
Environmental monitoring stations Dundee, tall hedge and haven for wildlife conservation and protected area KHANLOO petition Grapes are responsible.

Vegetation:
Wildlife and Plant indicator species are protected area Grapes: Fritillaria, pistachio, almond, Khynjvk and other species include Artemisia, CHUBAK, astragalus, hats Mir Hassan, tulips, anemones, coma, savory, sugar Tyghal , colchicum with trees and shrubs such as Cotoneaster, Berberis, walnuts and measures are.

Indicator species of animal:
There rivers Ghazalozan, Angouran tea with special topographic conditions led to the formation of diverse habitats fauna.

Indicator species of wildlife and protected area animal shelters Grapes are: Armenian sheep, lynx and other species of fauna are:
Mammals, goats, brown bear, wolf, otter, hyena, fox ordinary and Smvrsngy
Birds: Derry Quebec, Quebec Chil, grouse, starling, slab, King Owl, Grey Goose, common shelduck, coot, heron, Kestrel, Eagle, Falcon, Great Eggert, of Cochrane, teal, mallard, crane, cormorant and heron
Reptiles and Amphibians: Zanjani viper, viper Damavandi, Kvrmar and turtle pond
Fish filled with yolk, fish sauce, White River and catfish

Major regional conflicts and threats:
Mhmtzyn conflicts and threats to the region include: the indiscriminate and intense mining activity, plowing and cultivating illegal, poaching, development projects such as road construction, power transmission pipelines, gas, electricity and telecommunications, the expansion of communication , human constructions, sewage and rural waste and transportation vehicles.

مشخصات و شرایط جغرافیایی:

پایگاه خبری دیده بان محیط زیست و حیات وحش ایران (iew): منطقه حفاظت شده کاغذکنان با مساحت ۵۰۶۲۴ هکتار در بخش کاغذکنان، در جنوب شهرستان میانه قرار دشته و در سال ۱۳۹۰ از وضعیت شکار ممنوع به منطقه حفاظت شده ارتقاء یافته است، که شمالا به منطقه شکارممنوع کاغذکنان، شرقا به منطقه شکار ممنوع مشکول و منطقه حفاظت شده آق داغ در استان اردبیل، جنوبا به منطقه حفاظت شده دشت سهرین در استان زنجان و غربا به منطقه شکار ممنوع کاغذکنان متصل می باشد.

این محدوده دارای حداقل ارتفاع ۷۰۰ متر در قسمت دشتی و حداکثر ارتفاع ۲۱۰۰ متر در ارتفاعات (مرز اردبیل) و شیب متوسط ۱۵ تا ۲۰درصد، که ۲۵ درصد محدوده دارای شیب بیش از ۲۰ درصد می باشد، این منطقه از نظر واحدهای ژئومورفولوژی دارای سه واحد کوهستانی، تپه ای و دشتی بوده و رودخانه قزل اوزن بعنوان زیستگاه آبی نه تنها آب مورد نیاز وحوش را تامین می نماید بلکه بعنوان یک خرد زیستگاه در داخل منطقه حفاظت شده کاغذکنان قرار دارد که مجموعه قابلیت فوق به همراه موقعیت منطقه از جمله متصل بودن این زیستگاه به منطقه شکار ممنوع مشکول و حفاظت شده آق داغ در استان اردبیل و منطقه حفاظت شده سهرین در استان زنجان اهمیت اکولوژیکی آنرا دو چندان می نماید.

کاغذکنان بصورت یک توده کوهستانی در شمال شرقی و دشتهای آهوخیز در جنوب غرب در محل رفت و برگشت رودخانه قزل اوزن قرار گرفته است. این منطقه در مجاورت جاده ترانزیت میانه – زنجان بصورت دشتی و تپه ماهورهای کم ارتفاع که زیستگاه آهو می باشد، قرار داشته و به مناطق آهوخیز چون فیله خاص و سهرین زنجان منتهی می گردد. اما بطرف شمال شرق به ارتفاع منطقه افزوده شده و منطقه بصورت زیستگاه کل و بز و پلنگ در می آید.

رودخانه قزل اوزن چون کمربندی منطقه را دور زده و با ورود به استان زنجان دره سفید رود را تشکیل می دهد.

موقعیت خاص کاغذکنان که در حقیقت بصورت چهارراهی در میان کوههای خلخال (کوه های باغرو)، کوه های طالش و کوه های طارم زنجان قرار گرفته، باعث ایجاد ارتباطات بیولوژیک فیمابین گردیده و چون پلی جمعیت های پلنگ موجود در مناطق طارم و زنجان را با جمعیت های شمال غربی و در نهایت قفقاز به هم متصل می نماید.

اینگونه ارتباطات عامل بسیار مهمی در جلوگیری از رانش ژنتیکی این گونه باارزش که متاسفانه زیستگاههایش در سراسر کشور دچار پدیده جزیره ای شدن و از هم گسیختگی زیستگاه ها گردیده است، نقش مهمی را ایفا می نماید.

وضعیت توپوگرافی منطقه بصورت دره های صخره ای در دو سوی رودخانه قزل اوزن منطقه را کلاً بصورت منطقه ای غیرقابل توسعه درآورده است و زیستگاه بسیار بزرگی را در محل برخورد سه استان آذربایجان شرقی، اردبیل و زنجان بوجود آورده است که سرریز جمعیت در نقاط خلوت و صعب العبور این دره عظیم پخش می شود.

پوشش گیاهی:

از مهمترین گیاهان منطقه حفاظت شده کاغذکنان می توان به خشخاش، علف پشمکی، سیر کوهی، گاو زبان، زرد پیاز، انواع یونجه، فستوک گوسفندی، آویشن، کلاه میر حسن، جو وحشی، علف گندمی، پونه، کاکوتی، اسپرس، میخک، بومادران، بابونه، سیاه تلو، زرشک، قره میخ، آلوچه وحشی، نسترن، شیرخشت، قره تیکان، چاکلانقوش، ازگیل، بید، دوشان آلماسی، گلابی وحشی، بلوط و زبان گنجشک اشاره نمود.

گونه های شاخص جانوری:

گونه های شاخص جانوری منطقه حفاظت شده کاغذکنان اعم از پستانداران شامل پلنگ، کل و بز، آهو (جمعیت آهو بر اساس آخرین سرشماری در سال ۱۳۸۸ حدود ۲۲۰ راس می باشد)، سیاه گوش، خرس قهوه ای، گربه وحشی، کفتار، رودک، تشی، راسو، جوجه تیغی، سمور سنگی، شنگ، گراز، گرگ، روباه، خرگوش، سنجاب زمینی، خفاش نعل اسبی مدیترانه ای و انواع مختلفی از جوندگان نمی باشند.

از مهمترین گونه های پرندگان بومی منطقه حفاظت شده کاغذکنان می توان به پرندگان از راسته شاهین سانان و از تیره قوشیان شامل عقاب طلایی، کورکور، کرکس، سارگپه، سنقرگندم زار، از تیره شاهینیان دلیجه، لیلریا، بحری و بالابان، از راسته ماکیان و تیره ماکیان کبک معمولی و چیل، تیهو و بلدرچین اشاره نمود.

سایر پرندگان خشکزی و آبزی از جمله حواصیل خاکستری و ارغوانی، حاجی لک لک، چنگر، آبچیلک پاسرخ و آوازخوان، ماهی خورک کوچک و چلچله رودخانه ای می باشند. همچنین انواع خزندگان و دوزیستان در منطقه وجود دارند.