Northern Iran
Where forests meet the Turkmen plains
In north-eastern Iran, Golestan is where the Hyrcanian forests meet the Turkmen steppe and the slopes of the Alborz. Climatic variety and the presence of Turkmen, Persian and other local cultures give the province a richly coloured character. Brick towers, ancient walls, Turkmen horses and luxuriant nature make Golestan a destination of many layers.
Northern Iran
05
Gonbad-e Qabus was built in 1006 for Qabus ibn Voshmgir, the learned Ziyarid ruler. The fifty-three-metre brick tower, with a ten-pointed star plan and conical roof, is a masterpiece of geometry and early Islamic structural engineering, recognised on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Golestan National Park occupies a remarkable transition between moist Hyrcanian forest, mountains, grassland and semi-arid habitats. This concentrated diversity supports abundant plant and animal life, while the historic Gorgan–Khorasan road crosses its landscapes. Responsible visitation is essential to protect the wildlife.
Across the rolling hills of the Turkmen steppe, Khalid Nabi brings together shrines and enigmatic standing gravestones. The precise date and meaning of many stones remain debated, yet their relationship with the open landscape, Turkmen traditions and highland silence is unforgettable.
In the forest near Aliabad-e Katul, Kaboudwal Waterfall spills over a moss-covered rock face. A walking path threads through trees beside running water, while humid air, green stone and the sound of the cascade create a cool, restful encounter with nature.
Turkmen Sahra is a broad north-eastern landscape between the Caspian plain and the hills of Golestan. Horse culture, colourful dress, music and nomadic traditions define the region’s Turkmen identity.
