Chabahar is one of the most beautiful cities in Southeastern Balouchestan province on the shores of the Makran Sea and the Indian Ocean. It’s berth is capable of mooring ocean-going ships and is one of Iran’s free trade zones. The port of Chabahar has a great importance due to it’s strategic location, which is the closest access to the open waters of the landlocked countries of Central Asia.
In addition to it’s commercial location, Chabahar has many historical and natural tourism attractions. The climate of this city and it’s surroundings is always mild; and for this reason it is called Chabahar (Chahar Bahar [Four Springs in Persian]).
The city first brings it’s natural beauties and temperate climate to your ears. As soon as you set foot in this dream city, your heart and soul will be guests of unique nature, special experiences and other tourism attractions of Chabahar. The Tourism attractions of Chabahar are so special; and due to this fact there is no exaggeration to say that the city is a land of wonders! A land whose pond is pink and it’s forests are in water; there is a sea at the end of it’s dessert and flowers flow from it’s springs. Welcome to Chabahar, the only place that is dreamier than dreamy and more wonderful than a wonderland!
What does it mean that Chabahar city is one of Iran’s free trade zones?
There are seven free trade zones in Iran, and ne of them is Chabahar city. In these zones you can enter and stay with out needing a visa! But only if you are going to only stay for 2 weeks. In order to exit these zones to other destinations in Iran or to stay longer than two weeks, you need an Iran visa. Just Americans, Canadians and the British are required to have a certified escort guide waiting for them upon their arrival. This zones have their own customs regulations, many of which having advantages for trade.
Chabahar tourism attractions
We are telling you about a city that is the only ocean port in Iran, Chabahar, the paradise of the South. The weather of this city is always spring like! And many tourists and visitors eagerly come to this city to enjoy the beauties there. Maybe if you pass Chabahar, the variety of beauties surprise you and confuses you in planning where to see first! The sights that we will introduce below are the main sights of Chabahar city.
Chabahar’s Makrzan tree
Makrzan tree, also known as the temple fig tree, Lor tree and Indian fig tree, is the name of a famous tree in the cities of Chabahar and Nikshahr; and also one of the tourism attractions of these cities. The origin of this plant belongs to East India. Makrzan tree has broad leaves whose branches fall down and take root among the sand. These trees are over a hundred years old and are often located near shrines. You can see these trees in the villages of Ramin, Tis Kopan, Mashi, Lipar and Kopansar.
Darak Chabahar
When we talk about tourism attractions of Chabahar, the first place most people think about is Darak village. The place where dessert and sea meet each other!
The village of Darak is located in the city of Konarak and is far from Chabahar itself. But you probably know from the descriptions you have heard that it’s worth going for miles to see this wonder. In the understanding of nature, the most beautiful contradiction appears and takes the expression to the sea. The soaring palm trees and the sands call to you on one side and the roaring waves of the sea on the other! Maybe this is the only place where you can see the sunset of the desert in a few steps. Understanding is a good place to show off the art of photography; so it is best to travel well-equipped to this area.
Makran beach
Makran is a coastal land in Southeastern Iran and southwestern Pakistan that stretches along the Oman Sea. In addition to it’s many beauties and tourist attractions, this beach also has a unique position in terms of geography and strategic location.
The most striking feature of this area is it’s direct connection to the ocean; this connection makes it easily accessible for cruise ships from all over the world. Makran fascinates every tourist with it’s beautiful and charming sea effects. Sunrise and sunset over the vast sea on the shores of the Oman Sea are other spectacular and magical sights of Makran. The combination of desert and sea has also created an extraordinary charm.
Lipar wetland
There are many lakes and wetlands around the world that are ecologically home to many species of animals. Some of these wetlands are different from others due to their special color; ponds that may be as many as the fingers of one hand. One of these unique examples is located in the South of Iran, in a large area of Sistan and Balouchestan province.
Lipar Wetland, also known as Pink Wetland, is one of the most beautiful tourism attractions of Chabahar. There are only four similar examples of Lipar wetland in the world. And they mention Lipar as one of the unique natural attractions of the Oman Sea coast. The water of this wetland is the color of strawberry milk and it is one of the saltiest reservoirs in the world.
The red tide in Chabahar is one of the sights of the Southern coast of Sistan and Baluchestan province that attracts many people to visit. You can see the peak of beauty of this phenomenon in Lipar Valley; where it is called Pink Lagoon. Two mountains surround this lagoon and it’s nature is exemplary. Also, the presence of birds such as Changar, Flamingo, Kashim, Herons, Peacock, Cormorant, Tihu and Plain Eagle, has doubled the beauty of this area.
Why Lipar wetland has a pink color?
The presence of many plant plankton in the region, which reaches about 90%, is one of the most important reasons for the pink color of Lipar. Also, the abundance of organic and mineral materials that are directed to this area through rivers and estuaries connected to the bay, greatly increases biological production in some seasons. Sea currents caused by monsoon storms also cause an excessive increase in the number of plant planktons in the months after the monsoon season (from mid-June to mid-September); and this number reaches it’s maximum in December.
Lipar Wetland is one of the natural destinations that fortunately still has a pristine atmosphere. For this reason, you can’t find many tourist facilities in this place. There are often camels for camel riding by the lake. Also, every day from about 9 am to sunset, local vendors set up open-air markets in this place. In this market, you can buy local products such as sea salt extracted from the lagoon, local handmade jewelry, seashells, etc. at a reasonable price.
When is the best time to visit the pink lagoon of Chabahar?
In February, March, April, September and October, we see the phenomenon of red tides in the Gulf of Goatherd, the main cause of which is Noctiloca miliaros. Especially the number of such species increases sharply in February, March and April. Therefore, the best time to visit Lipar Lagoon is mid-winter to early spring.
Mangrove forest of Chabahar
Chabahar mangrove forest is located in the coastal area of Gwadar Bay, near the place where the Bahuklat River flows into the Oman Sea. Mangrove is a shrub that grows in swamps in warm regions on the coasts of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and southern Iran. In mangrove forests, the flowers resemble king-like flowers and the fruit is in the form of an egg capsule with a seed inside that opens with two slits. Mangroves are sun-loving species that reach a height of five to 10 meters depending on the living conditions.
We look for forests on land; but you have to go to the water to see the mangrove forests! The boats guided by the locals will take you to the heart of the mangrove forests. Gwadar Bay is now a protected area due to it’s mangrove forests. The mangrove forests and it’s migratory birds doesn’t limit the beauty of this port. To see all the beauties of the bay, it is better to travel here during the day, and if you want to spend the night in this area, eco-tours will give you a good experience of local life.
Tis grand mosque
Tis was one of the most important ports in Iran in the Makran Sea during the Achaemenid period and they called it Tiz at the time. At that time, goods came to the port of Tis from East Asia and India; and then they sent them from Tis to various parts of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Today, however, Tis does not have the former prosperity; It is one of the most important tourism attractions of Chabahar city. One such example is the Tis Mosque. The Tis Grand Mosque is one of the relics of the early Islamic era; and also is one of the first mosques built in Iran. Both the exterior and the interior of the Tis Mosque evoke the atmosphere of the mosques of Pakistan and India. This monolithic mosque continues to host worshipers.
The Tis Mosque is similar to the mosques of Pakistan and India in terms of architecture and interior decoration. One of the physical elements and architectural types of Iranian Islamic mosques is the minaret, which, like most Sunni mosques, has a minaret. For this reason, locals also call this old mosque, “The single minaret mosque” too.
Unlike most mosques you see in Iran, this mosque isn’t full of turquoise tiles! The minarets and domes of the Tis Grand Mosque are painted green and red. The doors of the building look colorful with regular and irregular glasswork and give a spectacular view to the mosque.
The genii cemetery of Tis
This Cemetery, also known as Tis Cemetery No. 1, looks like a scary place like it’s name. The people of Tis consider this to be the burial place of geniis; However, their modern cemetery is located next to it!
The village of Tis dates back to 2500 years ago. The name of this village was Tiz due to the writings in the books related to the conquests of Alexander the Great; A name that has become Tis over time. In the works of historians and geographers of the Islamic period, they also refer Tis as the port of Tazia or Tsi; and introduce it as the sugar trade center of Makran and Sistan wheat.
There is a silent and mysterious cemetery in this 2,500-year-old village, which the Baluchis call “Jan Sant” or “Geniis Cemetery”. This cemetery with huge tombstones is an interesting place for adventurers who show interest in the supernatural world. The village is now 100 meters from the cemetery; But in the past, the cemetery was on the outskirts of the village.
The specific environment, the dimensions of the graves and the way they are excavated have raised questions in the minds of the people; Who dug these graves? Why did they choose the rock surface for digging? By what means was it dug? And finally it has taken the answer to another world.
According to local people:
“These graves belong to the geniis. They have buried their dead in the fence of these stones; and at night, when the geniis arrive, they go to the graves of their captives and start mourning. “Whoever falls on this cemetery in the evening, the genii will curse them and he/she will die with severe torment after a few days.”
About the tombs of this mysterious cemetery:
All the tombs of Tis Cemetery have been excavated at the foot of the mountain and in the heart of the rocks. Despite the passage of time and the destruction of graves by wind, rain and other factors, many graves still remain in this place. The tombs are made in large and small sizes. In the middle of this cemetery, there is a completely healthy and old tomb that is 225 cm long and 110 cm wide.
You can also find anther cemetery like the one in Tis, Chabahar in other places in Iran too; if you like to visit these places we recommend you to visit Araka and Kasahn cities too.
The Martian mountains of Chabahar
Mountains are usually one of the most important parts of natural ecosystems. Some of the mountains are so beautiful that they have become world famous. Of course, there are mountains that with all their beauty, we rarely hear their names. One of these examples is the Martian Mountains, which are considered as nature destinations and sights of Chabahar.
The Martian mountains of Chabahar are not made of spectacular nature or snowy peaks; they are distinguished only by their special shape. It is safe to say that the Chabahar Martian mountains are one of the unique natural gifts of Iran; and you can find some place similar to them in not many places in the world, except on other planets such as Mars!
At a distance of 40 to 50 km after Chabahar city, you can find Martian mountains that stretch for kilometers. Among these mountains there is the unique pink lake of Lipar. The combination of the Martian mountains with the pink lake of Chabahar, creates a landscape that can not be easily overlooked. Every year, a conference called “Climbing” is held in Chabahar, during which enthusiasts can walk along a specific route from the coast of the Oman Sea and miniature mountains; and enjoy the unique scenery of the region.
The Miniature Mountains are a continuation of the Zagros Mountains, which extend to Pakistan. The height of these mountains varies from five meters to more than one hundred meters. A common feature of these areas is the lack of vegetation and lack of pasture value.
Fun things you can do while visiting the miniature mountains:
Everyone is looking for some time of fun! so let’s see what you can do to make your trip to the Martian mountains and Chabahar city even more exciting and amusing.
- Let’s go walking! Walking is always an exciting activity. Wear your comfortable shoes, make your playlist and enjoy the wonderful view of the mountains.
- Watching Stars. Are you a sky lover like me? Well there is no light pollution in Martian mountains due to it’s distances from the city; so you can see the stars vividly. It’s fun and even a good date idea if you are traveling with a special one! The sky at this point is capable of simultaneously observing 14 constellations.
- Photographing. If you are eager to take alluring pictures of nature, don’t forget your camera while you visit these mountains. The landscape you see here can’t be found in any other place on Earth! So have fun taking spectacular pictures of the tourism attractions of Chabahar, specially the Martian mountains; and don’t forget to email them for us to enjoy and put them on our website with your name!
When is the best time to visit the Martian mountains?
Due to it’s location in the South of the country, this region has hot and dry weather in Summer. Also, the presence of wind and dust can make the visit difficult. Therefore, the best time to travel to the Chabahar Martian mountains is early Spring, Autumn and Winter. To visit, try to choose the early hours of the day or evening so that the direct sunlight does not bother you.
The old building of the Chabahar Telegraph Office
This building, also known as the British Telegraph Office, is the oldest modern building in Chabahar. The British government built this telegraph office in the late Qajar period and the post office was established there over time. For the prosperity of navigation, trade and communication between India, Goiter, Jask and Bandar Abbas they built this structure with unique architectural features.
The crescent-shaped porch around the building, the use of wooden beams for the floor, wooden ceilings and the presence of gable roofs and pottery have created a special beauty. On September 9, 1998, they registered this work in the list of national monuments of Iran; and it is also one of the sights of Chabahar due to it’s historical value.
The tomb of Seyyed Qolam Rasool
One of the tourism attractions of Chabahar city is the tomb of Sayyed Qolam Rasool; and some of it’s owners consider him a well-known Shiite and others consider him a reveler who has spent his life to make people happy. For many years, this tomb was a place for his believers who tried to celebrate it by holding various ceremonies.
The construction of the tomb is influenced by Indian architecture; and you can clearly see the architectural features of India in it. Most likely, the Muslims of India made these changes in the post-construction period due to the attention of the owner of the tomb.
About the architecture of this tomb:
The architectural plan of the tomb is in the form of Seljuk period buildings. Some believe that the building belongs to the Timurid period because you can see the architectural features of this period in the building. It is likely that the building was completed in later periods with the features of Indian Timurid architecture used in it. The designs on the building also have a special originality; you can see similar decorations to them in other buildings related to the Safavid era. Therefore, we can say that most probably, the tomb was built in the Seljuk era; and it’s decorations were completed in later periods.
Who was Seyyed Qolam Rasool?
Abdullah Naseri mentions two views in his book, “Culture of the Baluch people”, regarding the owner of the tomb:
- There are two opinions about the owner of the tomb. One is that they believe that the owner of this shrine is a pious mystic and a righteous man named Seyyed Abdul Rasul. And that it is a shrine for the Shiite people of Chabahar; and that non-Shiites also follow the Shiites of this land.
- Others believe that this tomb is a reveling man (Loti in Persian). There are various narrations about the owner of the tomb. He is said to have been of Indian descent and married a woman from Chabahar, Iran; but fell ill on the night of his wedding and died.
Ritual ceremony in the tomb of Seyyed Gholam Rasool
Believers in Seyyed Qolam Rasool every year on the anniversary of his death (the last day of Dhi Al-Qaeda), sang and danced for ten days with an instrument. There are two theories about this ceremony:
- Since the deceased Loti spent his life making people happy, he commanded that after his death, his followers hold a ceremony of joy at his grave; and that he maintain the influence of his existence in the happiness of the people after his death.
- Since this person had a failed wedding, his lovers prepared a celebration for him every year on the anniversary of his death to revive his memory.
The followers of the owner of this shrine are mostly Shiites; and hold mourning ceremonies in this tomb in the month of Muharram.
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