What is interesting in Qeshm Island?
Usually, Shiraz and Isfahan are the top choices of tourists interested in Iran’s civilization. In this article, I intend to introduce a beautiful and rich island in the south, whose 2-week visit requires no visa. Below you will read about the attractions of Qeshm Island; I hope it will provoke your sense of curiosity and pay this place a visit it deserves.
Hengam Island
want to see dolphins? You should visit Hengam Island at the south of Qeshm Island. This beautiful place is known as the natural aquarium of the Persian Gulf. In addition, Gazelles are among the other animals calling this place their home.
Naz Island
Naz Island is located on the south of Qeshm, Island famous for its colorful seashells and coral; it turns into a racing spot during the ebb such that you would not believe it when the high tide rolls in.
Valley of the Stars
With its rocky shapes resulted from the erosion by heavy precipitation, locals tend to believe it to be the result of a star falling on this area; composed of marl and sandstones, the valley’s rock formations vary to the extent that one would find shapes of human faces and different animals with just a little bit of imagination.
Namakdan Salt Cave
Namakdan in Persian means the salt shaker; with 6,850 meters long, this cave, located on the southwest of Qeshm Island and decorated with salty chandeliers, is the longest one in the world, created as the result of water accumulating in the faults.
Hara Forest
Hosting sea turtles, crabs, and pelicans, the forest is a reserve of mangroves, locally known as hara, and it disappears during the high tide. You can always see fishing and tourist boats here.
Bandar-e Laft
Near the Hara, Forest lies Bandar-e Laft, which competes with the ancient and famous city of Yazd and its well-known windcatchers. It also enjoys abanbars (ancient water reservoirs), which are still used by locals. One also can find wells, including the famous Tara Wells, which were used to store clean water.
Lenj Shipyard
Lenj Shipyard, adjacent to the Bandar-e Laft, is a major place for fishing; you will see different stages of building ships, locally known as lenj, which might take you back to the old ages; an experience you would not want to miss in these days.
Portuguese Fortress
In the 16th century, the Portuguese seized Qeshm Island aiming at taking control of the Strait of Hormoz; they built a fortress, cannons, and cisterns, which still exist.
Chahkooh Pass
Literally known as the mountain of wells, Chahkooh Pass, created as the result of erosion from rainwater on sedimentary stone, is a beautiful and splendid place with wells at the beginning of a pass; the pass itself is wide at the beginning and gets narrow and narrower.
Khorbas Cave (Xorbas Cave)
Last but not least, Khorbas Cave is part natural and part man-made with tunnels inside connecting caves; the rumor has it that this cave used to be as a look-out place to warn possible attacks by the surrounding enemies.
