Eastern Iran · uplands and desert margins
Desert gardens and canyon trails
South Khorasan stretches across eastern Iran, from garden towns and dry uplands to desert margins. Birjand’s Akbarieh Garden and historic buildings provide a useful starting point, while Qaen’s saffron cultivation and congregational mosque express another side of the province.
Around Tabas, Golshan Garden and eroded valleys reveal the contrast between oasis and desert. Historic villages, Khorashad’s handwoven cloth and local cooking reward a slower itinerary beyond the provincial capital.
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Akbarieh Garden in Birjand is a historic complex dating from the late Zand and early Qajar periods. Its pavilions, green axes and flowing water adapt the principles of the Persian garden to the climate of eastern Iran. It is one of the nine Persian gardens inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
With its white façade and hexagonal form, Kolah Farangi Citadel is one of Birjand’s architectural emblems. Dating from the late Zand and early Qajar periods, its storeys rise in stages towards a distinctive conical crown. Mud, brick, lime and traditional mortar reveal the builders’ command of architecture suited to an arid climate.
Ferdows Hot Springs emerge at the foot of arid mountains and feed thermal bathing pools. The contrast between warm mineral water and South Khorasan’s desert landscape is the destination’s defining feature.
Near Sarbisheh, Makhunik is a historic village of compact lanes and small houses built partly below ground level. This form of construction responded to severe winters and the scarcity of building materials. Its architecture, way of life and local traditions offer a valuable example of human adaptation to a demanding environment.
Near Tabas, Kal-e Jeni is a narrow canyon of high walls and winding passages carved into the rock by water and wind erosion. Water channels and traces of human workmanship in parts of the valley testify to a long presence in this arid landscape. A visit requires preparation, a local guide and careful attention to safety.
Esfahak, in Tabas County, combines earthen architecture with surrounding date palms. After the 1978 earthquake, younger residents helped restore ancestral houses as rural accommodation. Its rebuilt historic fabric and dark night skies offer a close encounter with desert village life. Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism recognized it in 2024.
Khorashad’s tow-bafi preserves a tradition of handwoven cloth. Kilim and jajim patterns, alongside Yalda foods such as the sweet kaf, give South Khorasan’s cultural life a recognisable local character.
Birjand Citadel, Qaen’s congregational mosque and the historic villages around Tabas complement a journey through the province’s gardens, towns and desert settlements.
