Zanjan Tourist Attractions

Zanjan Jameh Mosque

The Jameh Mosque of Zanjan is a prominent tourist attraction located in the historic part of the city. Constructed in 1826 during the Qajar era, this mosque was designed to serve as a center for teaching, prayer, and community gatherings for the local religious scholar, Seyyed Mohammad Mojtahed Sardani. This historical complex is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Zanjan, featuring a four-iwan architectural style. The four iwans are symmetrically arranged around the courtyard, which once housed a pond surrounded by vibrant gardens, although these have since faded. The northern and southern iwans are adorned with decorative elements such as brick inscriptions, intricate tile work, and plant motifs created using a seven-color tile technique, reflecting the artistic style of the Qajar period. The mosque's dome is double-layered and covered with turquoise tiles. Inscribed on the dome in thuluth script is a verse from Surah Al-Dahr, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the mosque includes four Shabestans (night prayer halls), each equipped with a minbar.

Zanjan Rakhtshooy Khaneh

The historical complex of the Rakhtshooy Khaneh, or Laundry House, is situated in the heart of Zanjan's historic district, within a densely populated residential area. Built in 1928 by Zanjan's first mayor, this unique facility was designed to provide women with a safe and sheltered space to wash clothes during the cold winter months. The harsh winters in Zanjan made laundry tasks particularly challenging, and this public building is rare in its specific function. The structure has been carefully restored and is now home to the Zanjan Anthropological Museum, making it one of the city's key tourist attractions.
The museum showcases a variety of local clothing and women's jewelry, allowing visitors to explore aspects of traditional Zanjan life from the previous century. Inside, visitors can find sculptures depicting women engaged in laundry work, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of Zanjan's residents. The Rakhtshooy Khaneh consists of several sections, including a management area and a laundry area divided into four parts. Originally, the facility featured interconnected pools designed for efficient water use during washing processes. The building's architectural style reflects the craftsmanship of the late Qajar and early Pahlavi eras.

Zanjan Colorful Mountains

The Aladaglar Mountains, also known as the Rainbow Mountains, are a stunning natural phenomenon located in Zanjan Province, Iran. Characterized by their vibrant clay hills, these mountains display a breathtaking palette of colors, including red, copper, brown, yellow, white, green, and blue. The visual spectacle is particularly striking after rainfall when the wet clay enhances the colors and creates a mesmerizing landscape. These mountains date back approximately 15 million years and are formed from iron-rich sediments that have undergone oxidation over millennia. Each color in the Aladaglar Mountains corresponds to specific minerals—green indicates copper, while red suggests oxidizing conditions with abundant oxygen. The interplay of sunlight at various angles further amplifies the golden and copper hues, making the landscape appear almost otherworldly.

Zanjan Behestan Castle

Behestan Castle, is a remarkable historical site situated alongside the Qezel Ozan River in Zanjan Province, Iran. This castle, one of the 20 historical fortifications in the region, has origins that can be traced back to the Medes era, around 4,000 years ago, and was later used during the Sassanid period (226-651 CE) and into the Islamic era. The construction of Behestan Castle involved excavating into the rugged mountain ridge, where builders removed soil and stones to create a complex layout of rooms, corridors, and staircases. The upper levels were designed for defense, while the lower levels served as food storage facilities. The architectural design reflects a unique blend of functionality and artistry, showcasing the skills of its builders.
Despite its historical significance and unique architecture, Behestan Castle has suffered from rapid erosion due to strong winds and the nearby river's flow. This erosion has led to significant damage over time, particularly to the lower levels of the structure.

Zanjan Chehel Sotoun Mosque

A Historical Mosque

Chehel Sotoun Mosque is one of the historical mosques of Zanjan and the most famous Howze Elmiyeh in the Qajar era. It is located in bazaar of Zanjan and dates back to 1284 Hijri. The mosque which is one of the zanjan tourist attractions includes courtyard and some vast shabestans which its arches are arranged regularly on 32 strong columns. Its name is Chehel Sotoun (40 columns in Persian) due to the high number of its columns. Its mihrab is designed with worthy tile work and its plinths are designed with tiles in flower patterns according to Qajar architecture style.

Zanjan Archaeology Museum

A Full Body Salt-man

The archaeology museum (Saltmen Museum) is home to four Saltmen mummies discovered over the years in the Chehrabad Salt Mine. The effect of the salt and dry air of the mine has preserved whole corpses intact, with skin, hair and various organs. The Salt-men museum, one of the zanjan tourist attractions, is basically Zolfaghari building which was turned into museum. You can see one of salt men is in his very detailed cloth and shoes moreover some of his inner organs have remained in good condition. Carbon dating has shown that they range between 1500 and 2300 years old.

Zanjan Hosseiniyeh Mosque

The biggest religious anniversary ceremony

Each lunar year at Muharram month, Shia people in Iran and many other countries found big communities for respecting Imam Hossein. This mosque is mostly well known for its famous annual mourning parade in Muharram month. This event is organized in this mosque each year and around 1 million people attend the event. Even people from neighbor countries gather on this event on that special date and make different type of donations. The main building of mosque is quite an old one with almost 150 years of history behind it. It is worth visiting this zanjan tourist attraction center, especially during Muharram.

Zanjan Katalekhor Cave

Dry Cave with strange figures of Stones

The name, Katale Khor, means "mount of the sun". Geological studies showed that the cave formation dates back to the Jurassic period. It is believed that the cave is connected to Ali Sadr Cave in Hamadan province. The cave which is one of the zanjan tourist attractions was discovered about 90 years ago. The structure of this cave is amazing in its kind; it has numerous layers, several underground tunnels, ancient fossils and pure limes that have been created all along million years. The existence of nature's carvings through million years in the beautiful form of stalagmites and stalactites in the corridors and halls is showing off and adds to the beauty of the Cave. In some corridors animals' skeletons were found which are not similar to nowadays animal and probably belong to the extinguished generations of the past ages.

Zanjan Grand Bazaar

the Longest roofed Bazaar in Iran

The 200-years old Bazaar (Qeysariyeh Bazaar) has nearly 1000 stores, numerous wings, passages, historic inns, bathhouses, and mosques. It still is the vibrant shopping hub of the city with traditional style shops preserving the magnificent architecture. One of the zanjan tourist attractions, the zanjan grand bazaar is the longest traditional roofed building in Iran. Different segments of bazaar are dedicated to selling specific goods such as jewelry, shoe, carpet, traditional medicine, knives, Charogh, Filigree, cooper cookware etc.

Zanjan Dome of Soltaniyeh

the third Largest Dome in the World

The Dome of Soltaniyeh which is one of the zanjan tourist attractions, is a complex of ruins centering on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Ilkhan Oljeitu. The main building, erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, may have the oldest double-shell dome in Iran. Its importance in the Muslim world is undoubted and it may be compared to that of Brunelleschi's cupola for Christian architecture. It is one of the largest brick domes in the world, just at the theoretical engineering limit for a brick dome and the third largest dome in the world after the domes of Florence Cathedral and Hagia Sophia. People have described the architecture of the building as “anticipating the Taj Mahal.” The estimated 200-ton dome stands 49 meters (161 ft) tall from its base, and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. It was used for multiple functions, such as Quran reading, praying, teaching, housing, and medical purposes.

Zanjan Qezel Ozan River

The Second Longest River in Iran

Ghezel Ozan meaning "floating gold" is a river flowing in northwestern and northern Iran. It flows through Kurdistan Province, Zanjan Province, East Azerbaijan Province, Ardabil Province, and Gilan Province. In other words, it flows from the Zagros Mountains in Kordestan Province to the Caspian Sea. One of the zanjan tourist attractions, river length is approximately 670 kilometers, making it the second longest river of Iran after the Karun.

Zanjan Protected Wildlife Zones

A verity species of Animals

Due to climatic and geographical variations of Zanjan the flora and fauna adapts itself to these charges. The most important species of wildlife in these areas are: Ram, wild sheep, wild goat, Gazelle, Bear, Leopard, Wolf, Hyena, Lynx, wild cat, Fox, Jackal, Gray squirrel, Boar, and Sable.

Endemic birds such as: Partridge, yellow partridge, ring dove, turtle dove, dove, eagle, pigeon, vulture, ostrich, crow, starling, magpie, raven and gull.

Immigrant birds (waterfowls) such as: Bustard, flamingo, crane, pelican, goose, duck, grouse and cock.

Zanjan Doodkesh-e Jen

Doodkesh-e Jen is located 20 kilometers from Mahneshan County and 120 kilometers from Zanjan. In geology, this natural phenomenon is called "Hoodoo". It is a type of mushroom-like stone created as a result of erosion. It looks like a high thin minaret.

Zanjan Dashkasan Temple

Dashkasan or Dragon temple was built by order of Mongol king Öljaitü in the early fourteenth century. The temple consists of three deep, manmade caves that have exquisite stone carvings. One of these carvings is the image of dragons facing each other. There are alters decorated with floral and arabesque motifs as well as stone Muqarnas decorations on either side of these carvings. The temple was built by four Chinese craftsmen.

Zanjan Haj Dadash Bath

This 100-years-old public bathhouse is located in front of the old bazaar of Zanjan and Mirzaei Mosque. Today, this bathhouse is converted it to a classic-style restaurant.

Zanjan Ael-Daghi Complex

Eel Daghi complex is one of the best and most popular resorts in Zanjan, which is located on the slopes of Gavazang mountain and is also known as the roof of Zanjan. This complex has some entertainment and comfort facilities, including restaurants, coffee shops, boating, cycling, 5D-cinema and paragliding.

Zanjan Pari Lake

Khandaghlo | Shurgli lakes

Pari Lake is located near Pari and Khandaghlo villages and is one of the natural attractions of Mahnishan city of Zanjan province in Iran. This lake is located in a vast and green plain and provides water for agriculture and fish farming in the region. This lake, which is like a dignified and beautiful fairy, is considered one of the tourist attractions of Zanjan in summer.

Zanjan Sharshar Waterfall

Sharshar waterfall is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Zanjan. This region has a very pleasant and cool weather and is one of the tourist attractions of Zanjan in summer.

Zanjan Shit Village

Cherry Picking Festival

Shit mountain-village of Zanjan with 500 years old is the flagship of the villages of Zanjan province. All kinds of cherry, pomegranate, olive and walnut trees, springs and a water stream that passes between two high mountains attract every tourist. If you go to this village in June, you can participate in the cherry picking festival held in this area. Shit village is one of Zanjan's touristic villages and one of Zanjan's tourist attractions in summer.

Shilander Village | Butterfly Village

Shilander village is a green and terraced village that is located on the mountainside, overlooking the river. Shilander village, which is full of walnut, mulberry, cherry, cherry and hazelnut trees, is one of the tourist villages of Zanjan. Due to the abundance of mulberry trees, there are many butterflies in this village and it has been nicknamed as a butterfly village. We recommend you don’t miss visiting this beautiful village.