Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

With its ancient history dating back thousands of years, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province encompasses some of the most spectacular natural tourist attractions, with over 630 of them registered nationally.

History

Pottery and stone tools found in the ancient hills of this region attribute the province's history back to about nine thousand years ago. Since then, this land has been the habitat of various ethnic groups. Today, the people of this province speak Bakhtiari, Persian, and Turkish, with a part of the province's population consisting of Bakhtiari tribes.

Geography

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province shares borders with Isfahan, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Lorestan provinces. With an average elevation of about 2153 meters above sea level in its cities, this province is called the "roof of Iran." Important cities in the province include Shahrekord, Kuhrang, Borujen, Saman, Lordegan, Ardal, Farsan, Kiar, Alikuh, and Ben, with Shahrekord serving as its capital.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province lies within the Zagros Mountain Range, with Mount Zardkuh situated within it. Additionally, the sources of the Karun and Zayandeh Rud rivers are located in this province.

Climate

There are six different climates in various parts of the province; however, overally, the region experiences cold weather and snowfall owing to its high altitude. Temperatures can drop as low as 34 degrees Celsius below zero during winter. Therefore, travelers who are not interested in skiing or mountaineering can choose to visit the region from Ordibehesht to the end of summer.

Cities of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Shahrekord

Formerly known as Dehkord, Shahrekord has a long history. The presence of the ancient Gorgay mound near the city indicates the seven-thousand-year history of this region.

With an elevation of 2310 meters above sea level, Shahrekord is the highest city in the country. This city is located north of the Zagros Mountain Range. Despite its picturesque nature and natural attractions, Shahrekord attracts many tourists in the first half of the year.

Those who are looking for a green nature to spend a few hours can visit one of the city's parks, including Mellat Park, Laleh Park, Shab Park, or Amu Nader Park and Talehijan Park.

The Jame Mosque, the Archaeological Museum of Shahrekord in the historical bathhouse of Parhizgar, Dezhak Castle, Saghakhaneh Arbab Mirza, and the Aayineh Room are among the sights of Shahrekord. Vaght-o-Saat Spring and Cheshmeh Zaneh Lookout in the city of Hafshejan, located 14 kilometers from Shahrekord, host many tourists yearly with the arrival of spring.

Kuhrang

Kuhrang, located 85 kilometers from Shahrekord, is the highest city in the province. This mountainous area, which is also famous for its mineral water, attracts countless nature lovers every year.

The overturned tulip fields of Dash-e Laleha from mid-Farvardin to the end of Ordibehesht are filled with yellow and red flowers. The Deymeh Spring in the village of Deymeh, Sheikh Alian Spring in the village of Sar Agha Sayyid, Kuhrang Spring, nomadic camps, Chama Ice Cave, and the ski slope are among the sights of Kuhrang.

Borujen

Located 62 kilometers away from Shahrekord, Borujen is the meeting point of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province with Fars and Isfahan provinces. The altitude of this city is 2197 meters above sea level, and for this reason, the city is also known as the roof of Iran. Borujen has cold winters. It is host to tourists and nature lovers in spring and summer. Sisard Gorge is one of the most popular tourist sites in Borujen.

Samān

Samān is a city with abundant gardens located near Shahrekord. It is well- known for its walnut and almond production. One of the province's popular attractions, the historical Zaman Khan Bridge, belongs to this city. The passage of the Zayandeh Rud River through Samān has made it possible for visitors to enjoy boating in the roaring river or rafting, which can be experienced under the supervision of nature guides near the Zaman Khan Bridge.

Lordegan

Lordegan is located in a fertile valley between the Zagros Mountains. It is more than two hours away from Shahrekord. The Cheshmeh Beram recreational area, established next to the Beram Spring, is one of Lordegan's attractions. Atashgah Waterfall, Sandoqan Spring, Khani Spring, and the lush oak forests are other sights of Lordegan.

Ardal

Located 95 kilometers away from the province's capital, Ardal is placed. Ardal has been the settlement of Bakhtiari nomads since ancient times. The cold spring of Sardab-e Rostamabad, Mola Spring in Alikuh Village, Sorkhoun Spring, Shalil Spring, Ardal Plain, Atashgah Valley Waterfall, Shuran Ab Sard village, the historical bridge of Beheshtabad village, Ardal Cave, and Lendi Waterfall are among the attractions of Ardal.

Farsan

Farsan is located west of Shahrekord, and many tourists travel to this mountainous region in the summers. Qaleh Spring, Hanna Valley, Sheikh Yousef Spring, ancient inscriptions near Pirghar, Sarab Cave in Omidabad Sarab Village, and Aqa Seyyed Eisa Cave can be on your travel list.

Accommodations

There are various accommodations in this province, among which hotels, traditional accommodations, and eco-lodges are prominent. Eco-lodges such as Golsanam, Mehr-o-Maah, Arg-Kian, Hezar Cheshmeh in Hafshejan, and Azadeh in Shahrekord, Avaye Talab and Komeh Kolar in Borujen, Beheshtabad or Dezhgerd in Ardal, and Molkabad Eco-lodge near Kuhrang are some examples.

Local Foods

While you can find Bakhtiari kebab in other cities, too, the authentic and high-quality Bakhtiari kebab must be tried in its original place.

Qeyme Reez soup, Omaj, Kashk and Kadu, Uriz, Anar Ash, Sholeh Berian, Otreshi, Kakuli, Gerdo Polo, Reko, and Mast Mish with sugar or grape syrup are among the local foods of this province. You should also try Tiri bread, Varchaleh bread, Mountain leek omelet, Tuleh, Kaleh Joush, and Parvard Doogh in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

Restaurants

Owing to the high quality of agricultural products, food is of extraordinary taste and quality in this province. There are many restaurants in various cities, some of the most famous ones include Shahrekord's two branches of Shomal-e Shahr, Takht-e Jamshid Restaurant, Ferdowsi Sofrekhane, Qasr Restaurant, Chelcheragh Sofrekhane, Qasr-e Naqareh Sofrekhane, Choobin Sofrekhane, Khuzestan Restaurant, Sizdah Fast Food, and Kesh Loghmeh. In Borujen, you can choose from Khaneye Ghanbarian, Laziz Restaurant, and Toranj Restaurant. In Samān, Satoori Tak-e Bonab-e Azerbaijan Kebab, Samān Palace Restaurant, Bagh Cheshmeh Restaurant, and Kurosh Sofrekhane are best-known, while in Lordegan, the Chehel Sotoon Restaurant is fine.

Handicrafts

Weaving Bakhtiari carpets, Qashqai or Yalmeh carpets, Gabeh, Jajim, and Soumak are popular in this province. Felt making, Givedoozi, Choqa, which is the traditional clothing of Bakhtiari men, Siah Chador or Bahun weaving, and traditional lock crafting are also counted as handicrafts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

Souvenirs

When traveling to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, you can buy Boldaji Gaz sweets, honey, almonds, Qara Qurut or Qara, Kashk, Nabat, Polaki, medicinal and culinary herbs such as wild mint, wild garlic, mountain leek, and mountain celery. Carpets and agricultural products are also available for purchase.

Customs and Traditions

Various customs and traditions have been established among the people of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province since ancient times. One of these ceremonies is the Shirini Eshkanoon ceremony, which is performed between the engagement and marriage. In this ceremony, women play handkerchief games, and men perform wood games.

Another ancient custom is that young people go hunting before the wedding ceremony to demonstrate their bravery. The hunted meat is cooked for the wedding dinner. Then, the groom's relatives escort the bride to her new home with a mirror and candlestick ceremony.

The mournful Gagriv song, which is sung by women during mourning, also has a long history.

Wearing new clothes on Nowruz, shawl weaving, eavesdropping, Ghashogh-Zani (spoon beating), and the Light Carrying (Cheraq Baran) ceremony are other examples of the customs and traditions of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.