2025 Shahrud Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

#2024mapped The Cloud Forest near Shahrud is a magical wonder of Iran. Where lush greenery meets rolling clouds, it feels like stepping into a dream. Perfect for nature lovers, it’s a serene escape filled with towering trees, misty trails, and cool mountain air. Discover the hidden paradise of Shahrud!

#getgoing2025 While strolling through the orchard, I was mesmerized by the sight of the white blossoms covering the trees. The delicate petals, like soft snowflakes, created a sea of white against the clear blue sky. The sweet fragrance of the flowers filled the air, making the atmosphere feel fresh and rejuvenating. As the gentle breeze blew, the petals danced in the wind, creating a peaceful and almost magical scene that captured the beauty of nature in full bloom.

#getgoing2025 During my stay at a hotel in the clouds near Shahrud, I was mesmerized by the breathtaking view of the lush forest that seemed to stretch endlessly. The hotel was nestled in the heart of the forest, offering a unique experience of waking up to the sound of birds and the cool, misty air. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the surrounding natural beauty, made it the perfect escape. Walking through the forest, enveloped by the mist, felt like being in another world—tranquil, serene, and completely in tune with nature.

#getgoing2025 During my visit to Shahrud, I couldn’t leave without trying its famous local products. The town is renowned for its delicious pistachios, which are some of the best in Iran. I also picked up some fragrant saffron, which is a specialty of the region. The handmade carpets and traditional sweets like “baklava” and “saffron cookies” also caught my attention. These souvenirs reflected the rich culture and craftsmanship of Shahrud, making them perfect mementos to remember my trip.

Hidden in the deep mountains is a beautiful little village. Traveling along the Silk Road, as the car speeds between several Silk Road stations in the Semnan province, for a long time all that can be seen outside the window is the endless saline-alkali land, covered with low shrubs, until we come across this beautiful exotic village. Qaleh Bala Alleys (بام قلعه بالا). It is an ancient village with a history of 700 years. The whole village is located on the slope of a Danxia landform, with rural courtyards spread out on one side of the hill: earthen walls, wooden doors, blue windows, and peach and apricot blossoms in front and behind the village. It's a bright spot in the lonely wilderness. It is called one of the most beautiful villages in Iran by many Iranian travel magazines, and many locals come here to spend the weekend and experience rural life, but it is not yet well-known among foreign tourists. Elderly people of renown in the village all personally came to the entrance of the village to welcome us, the first group of Chinese tourists, and arranged the most grand welcome ceremony—a incense burning ritual. Then we were enthusiastically pulled into one house for tea, another for fried dough cakes, and by the time the nuts were laid out at the third house, we really felt embarrassed What is even more touching is that because this is the core living area of the Asian cheetah, the villagers of this small village, which has been herding and hunting for generations, have voluntarily given up their original way of life. They have switched to planting pomegranate trees, fig trees, etc., and selling nuts and handicrafts. Now, from the highest point in the village, the endless horizon is particularly soothing to the heart. Such a picture of harmonious coexistence between man and nature touches people deeply. When we went, the flowers🌸 had not fully bloomed yet. When the flowers bloom, it should feel like the Pamir apricot blossom valley, right? (The last three photos are of the peach blossom valley in the Shiraz mountain area of Iran when the flowers are in bloom, looking at the flowering trees and the terrain of Qaleh Bala, it will definitely be just as impressive) I hope more tourists will come here.