With natural attractions like Katalehkhor Cave, and historical monuments such as Soltanieh Dome, Zanjan Province provides tourists with an abundance of attractive sights.

Seven counties make up Zanjan, namely Zanjan, Abhar, Khoramdareh, Khodabandeh, Ijrud, Tarem, and Mahneshan.

Ghezelozan River originates in Kurdistan mountains, runs through Zanjan, makes a stop behind Manjil Dam in Rudbar County, Gilan Province, and finally enters the Caspian Sea. Other rivers of Zanjan are Zanjanrud near Nik Pey Town; Abharrud in Abhar County; Sojasrud, also called Sajasrud and Khararud in Khodabandeh County. Zanjan�s hot springs are Vanangh, Abdal, Garmab, and halab-Anguran, according to Persian daily Forsat-e Emruz.

Due to its proximity to the Silk Road, especially to the route between Indochina and Europe, Zanjan had a strategic position. Before the advent of Islam, Zanjan , the capital of Zanjan Province was called Zangan or otherwise Zandigan; meaning �of or related to Zand� which is a book of exegetical glosses, paraphrases, commentaries and translations of Avesta�s texts.

Soltaniyeh Dome is the largest brick dome in the world, as well as the third largest globally, after Florence Cathedral and Aya Sofia of Istanbul. Predating Soltaniyeh Dome is Dashkasan Temple which dates back to the Sassanid era. It is a cave complex adorned with stone carvings by Chinese craftsmen.
Located 335 km west of Tehran Province, Zanjan is a 4-hour drive away. One can always get on an airplane, of course, but most would tell you it is not worth missing the scenic route.

By Financial Tribune