Farewell to Persia | The sacred destination of Mashhad that one must visit

| The sacred destination of Mashhad that one must visit. Iran is home to many holy cities, but the foremost among them is definitely Mashhad. This is because the holy tomb of the eighth Imam Reza is located here, and he is the only Imam buried in Iran (with others scattered across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and so on), holding an incomparably sacred status in the hearts of Shia believers. If it is said that Persian craftsmen have devoted all their skill points to architectural art, then all their creative passion for architecture is concentrated in the construction of this holy tomb. From the vast squares to the colorfully painted Iwans, to the interior's extremely ornate glass domes and chandeliers, the power of faith is materialized into the form of architectural art. In the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi, one is overwhelmed by the opulence of wealth, but here, it is the beauty of art sanctified by faith that touches the soul. Imam Reza's Holy Shrine Especially seeing the believers praying and weeping, the elderly who need wheelchairs still full of devotion, everyone is speaking their heart to the saint, entrusting their life's confusions to their faith. Previously, non-Muslims were not allowed to enter the holy tomb, but now Iran is becoming more open, not only allowing but even having volunteers accompany and introduce, hoping more people understand rather than fear their faith. We were fortunate to visit the museum inside, which houses state gifts given to Iran's supreme spiritual leader by leaders from various countries (including the blue and white porcelain gifted by our country in 2016), as well as the Quran manuscript museum and the carpet museum, all of which are rare treasures. Additionally, we were fortunate to have lunch at the holy tomb, which is said to be so sought-after that locals have to book at least a year in advance and still might not secure a spot. The longing looks of those without reservation tickets at the entrance of the dining hall indeed confirm this As one of the few Chinese people to enter, we were greeted warmly by the Iranian people along the way, confirming that they all wanted to take photos with you, confirming that Iran is a country that loves photography even more than Chinese tourists Tips: Ladies, pay attention to wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoid clothes that are too transparent or tight-fitting. Try on the cover-up provided to see if it fits before entering. Men should wear long pants. Cameras, tripods, etc., are not allowed, only mobile phones, so it's time to test your mobile photography skills. English explanations are not always available unless you are with a tour group or have made a reservation. Be sure to ask for permission before taking photos, and do not take photos directly in someone's face.