About
qeshm
Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, is the largest island in Iran and the Persian Gulf. Qeshm Island is larger than 22 countries in the world. This island is 2.5 times larger than the second largest island in the Persian Gulf (Bahrain). Qeshm Island is also the largest non-independent island in the world. This island is full of amazing natural landscapes. Which will surprise any tourist.
History of Qeshm
History of naming Qeshm
Qeshm Island was called “Abarkavan” during the Sassanid era. In fact, the word “Kavan”, which in Middle Persian means “of Kaveh race”.
Food in Qeshm
Due to the geographical location of Qeshm Island, the best seafood can be tasted on this island. Of course, attractive dishes are also cooked with meat and chicken. You will find a variety of seafood, special breads and delicious pastries on the island.
Fish and shrimp stew: The most famous food in southern Iran and Qeshm Island is prepared from fish or shrimp and vegetables.
Ancas: This dish is made from minced ancas meat or small square squid. Then it is cooked with some water and dates and flavored with tomato paste, onion and pepper.
Shark Pudding: This dish is made from shark mashed meat flavored with lemon, spices, onions, paste and onions.
Tamoushi bread: A thin bread that is made from a combination of eggs, cheese, Mahyaveh or Suragh. Mahyaveh and Suragh are sauces made from sardines.
Balalit: A type of pasta with thin noodles that is eaten with sugar and eggs.
Qeshm weather
The climate of this island is hot and humid due to its location. The average temperature in Qeshm during the year is higher than 30 degrees Celsius; The temperature in Qeshm does not fall below seven degrees Celsius in the coldest time of the year. It is very difficult for non-native people to tolerate the weather conditions most of the year.
Culture in Qeshm
The language of the people of Qeshm, like the inhabitants of the ports and the southern coasts of the country, is Persian, but they speak with a dialect (Bandari). The local language of Qeshm is a mixture of Arabic, Persian, Bandari, Hindi and English.
Qeshm customs
One of the most famous rituals on Qeshm Island is the celebration of Sayad Nowruz. The 600-year-old festival will be held in late July. On this day, fishermen do not do any fishing. And people even refuse to eat fish. People believe that on this particular day, all fish are free and should reproduce. Therefore, no one has the right to catch them. This celebration symbolizes the knowledge of the people of the south of the sea, the spawning season of fish and shrimp. That is why they try not to harm their living environment. On this day, delicious food is prepared and competitions are held among the people for happiness. And people celebrate and dance.
The most important tourist Attractions of Qeshm
Due to the tourist nature of Qeshm Island, it offers a variety of choices to tourists. Choices such as hiking, shopping and …. Qeshm Island is the first geopark in the Middle East. Therefore, it confronts people with the most extraordinary sights.
Qeshm Geopark
Qeshm Island is located between two completely different marine ecosystems (Persian Gulf and Oman Sea). This geographical location has created a unique biodiversity on Qeshm Island.
Qeshm Geopark is the only global geopark in Iran and the first geopark in the Middle East.
Geopark Museum
Qeshm World Geopark Museum was opened in 2005. In this museum, the smallest and largest mammals in the world are kept. The museum’s smallest mammal is a dwarf insecticide weighing two grams that can give birth and breastfeed its children. The largest mammal in the museum is the humpback skeleton, which reaches a height of 15 meters.
Mangrove forest (Harra Forest)
The mangrove forest is located in the northwest of Qeshm Island. The mangrove forest, which is also known as the sea forest, is very old. These are evergreen trees that have survived for many years in brackish water. The bark of these trees has the ability to purify water and turn it into fresh water.
The wood of these trees does not produce black smoke due to burning and is used in the preparation of coal.
The fruits and leaves of these trees are also used as medicinal plants. The roots of mangroves act as a barrier against waves and storms.
Another feature of this attractive area is that the trees come out of the water at low tide and sink halfway into the water during high tide.
Sacred Fig Tree (Loor) in Qeshm
The Sacred Fig Tree is also called Loor tree. This fig tree has a large trunk and many roots.
The oldest temple fig tree is about 600 years old. This tree was brought to Iran from the native regions of India and Southeast Asia during the Ilkhanid or Timurid period.
This tree is evergreen and its numerous aerial roots are interesting to visitors. The fruits of this tree are also edible.
Tange Chahkuh (Holy Valley)
Tange Chahkuh is a natural and special attraction of Qeshm Island, which is formed in the center of the island. In this isthmus, there are rocks with a depth of 100 meters with a strange appearance that fascinates every visitor with its grandeur. The main reason for the formation of Tange Chahkuh is the fracture created in a large anticline (arches like the ground). The natural forces of the earth have caused a fault to turn an integrated rocky mountain into four isthmuses. The limestone cliffs of this isthmus have been amazingly eroded over millions of years by strong winds and running water. This erosion has created a landscape that can only be seen in a few limited parts of the world.
At the entrance of Chahkuh isthmus, a natural statue has been formed, which is known as the “Three Guardians”. After the statue, four wells can be seen that hundreds of years ago were a place to store fresh water for the inhabitants around the isthmus. At one time, the natives of the region used the water that was collected in the wells and pits to heal the sick. Hence, this valley became known as the Holy Valley.
The vegetation of Chahkuh region is a tree and shrub that is suitable for desert and tropical climate. The natural wells created in the area have caused the living of 16 species of animals and birds in it. This place is the habitat of a valuable gazelle.
Valley of the Statues
The statue valley dates back to two million years ago, according to research by researchers. The Valley of the Statues is formed by the erosion of soil, rocks and sand in the Cenozoic geological period. The reason for naming this valley is the existence of rocks with different and interesting shapes. There are rocks in the shape of humans and animals such as chickens, roosters, sheep heads and even dragon heads in the Valley of Statues. The interesting thing is that all these sculptures were formed naturally and look like this because of the human imagination.
Qeshm Star Valley
One of the most unique geological phenomena is the Valley of the Stars. This two-million-year-old valley amazes every viewer. The valley of the stars of Qeshm Island is formed by erosion caused by seasonal storms and hurricanes. The valley is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Qeshm Island Geopark (the only geo park in the Middle East).
The walls of this valley are made of two different materials. Thick top layer that protects the thin bottom layer from erosion. But in some places the intensity of erosion has been very high and the lower province has been destroyed and holes have been created.
According to local legend, the Valley of the Stars is home to ghosts that roam at night, but geologists believe that the cause of these noises is the wind blowing through the holes and cavities of rocks.
Khorbs Cave
Khorbs Cave dates back to the Median period. This cave is a sequence of folds in the Zagros Mountains. Coral hills surround this strange cave. The entrance of Khorbs cave consists of 9 openings and there is a hall behind them.
It is a pond at the bottom of the cave that is used to store rainwater and is always full in rainy days.
There are many doubts about the use of the hall of this cave, including:
Temple of Mehr and the goddess Mitra, as well as a memorial service for the dead in the Median era
The place where the bones of the dead (Estudan) were kept during the period when people turned to Zoroastrian religion.
Shelter for children, women and the elderly during a pirate attack.
3N Cave( ghar namakdan)
This cave is known as 3N Cave and the Cave of Three Nudes.
The longest cave of this complex with a length of 6400 meters is the longest salt cave in the world.
According to research, the salts of this cave are more than 570 years old.
Oral and medical salt is extracted from this cave.
The reason for naming the cave to 3 naked men:
Three Czech specialists entered the cave for research and mapping. They have to swim deep in the cave due to the high concentration of water
Were. Salt deposits made their clothes stiff and prevented them from moving comfortably. So, they got naked to move more easily.
Goran Launch (boat) making Workshop
Goran’s Launch (boat)-making workshop on the northern coast of Qeshm Island is a tourist destination. This workshop is used as a living museum.
Goran Launch (boat) making is one of the main centers for Launch (boat)making in Iran traditionally.
One of the wonders of this profession is that the master does not draw any drawings on paper. The whole 3D map of Launch (boat) is in the mind of the master.
Dargahan Bazaar
Qeshm Island is one of the best and most popular tourist destinations due to its many tourist attractions. In addition to its pristine and attractive nature, the markets of Qeshm Island also attract many tourists. Due to the variety of goods and their reasonable prices, this market is one of the best shopping options for tourists.
Portuguese Castle( Ghal’e-ye Portoghaliha)
During the Portuguese colonial period, fortified castles were built in the southern ports and islands of Iran. These castles were made of limestone and gypsum with local mortar. These forts were built to protect the Portuguese military against the Iranians. Therefore, the castle was built on a hill to dominate the whole region and the sea.
Laft
The port of Laft dates back to the first millennium BC.
Laft is designed in such a way that no alley has a dead end and the alleys meet.
One of the interesting and beautiful attractions of the village is the existence of windbreaks. The houses of this village are known as the port of windbreaks. These houses are built close to each other so that the intense light and heat of the sun do not bother passers-by.
Most women in Laft village wear traditional clothes. This traditional cover includes a burqa (veil). This type of cover has nothing to do with the hijab and is used due to its high heat and protection from being irritated by the sun.
Naz Island
Naz’s uninhabited island is one of the most beautiful areas of Hormozgan. The area of the island is about three hectares. The island is surrounded by cliffs. Naz Island has no sandy beaches and is made up of two rocky islands with a distance between them. This distance can be seen at full tide. At this time, you can walk about one kilometer into the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Hormoz Island
Hormoz is an island at a distance of 8 km from Bandar Abbas. This island in the vicinity of Hormuz Strait is one of the tourist destinations in southern Iran.
The mountain of the goddess of salt
The mountain of Elaha Namak is actually a large salt crystal that has been formed by geological activities over many years. This mountain does not reflect sound.
Under the mountain, orange-colored water flows, which, with the help of other natural phenomena, have caused the appearance of a cave in the heart of the salt goddess mountain over many years.
The red soil of Hormoz Island
One of the reasons for the fame of Hormoz Island among the islands of the Persian Gulf is its red soil. The red soil of the island attracts many tourists. The red soils of Hengam Island are known as “Glek”. The locals use this soil to prepare a kind of local food (soragh).
Hengam Island
Hengam Island is a small and spectacular island in the Persian Gulf. With a trip to this island, you can see the attractive nature, interesting zoo and traditional markets.
It is strange that there are no streets or cars on Hengam Island.
Brilliant beach of Hengam Island
Hengam Island beach is seen in bright blue at certain times of the year at night. This particular color gives the beach a dreamy appearance. This phenomenon is due to the presence of marine phytoplankton that emit light in turbulent conditions. This light Emitted makes the waves and sands of the beach shine.
This type of sparkling beaches is also found in the Maldives, California and other parts of the world.
Hengam Island Aquarium Fish
There are colorful fish houses around Hengam Island. The aquarium water is so clear that corals, mermaids, colorful marine life, tiny fish and crabs can be easily seen.
Hengam Island Dolphins
Hengam Island Dolphins One of the island’s most popular tourist attractions is the dolphins that come to Hengam Island for breeding in mid-autumn to mid-May.
Hengam Island Wildlife
The island is a rare habitat for rare species of animals. Among these animals mentioned:
Suede (native of India and Iran)
Uromastyx aegyptia (a species of lizard): The number of this animal is declining sharply and Hengam Island is one of the few habitats of this animal.
Hoopoe
Herons (a type of fish-eating chicken)
Swallow
Help information
Qeshm hotels
Persian Gulf Beach Hotel
One of the best 3-star hotels in Qeshm is the Persian Gulf Beach Hotel. This hotel has facilities such as a tennis court, billiards room, ping pong court and many other facilities.
Fulton Boutique Hotel
Qeshm Fulton Boutique Hotel is one of the three-star hotels in Qeshm Island. The hotel accommodation units include villas, apartments and hotels.
In the hotel restaurant you can try a variety of Iranian, foreign and local dishes.
Qeshm restaurants
Haj Ghafoor Restaurant
This restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in Qeshm. You can try the best traditional Qeshm food in this restaurant.
Darya Restaurant
Darya Restaurant is the first and largest seafood restaurant in Qeshm.
This restaurant serves the best seafood and traditional dishes.
At the End
Due to the natural and tourist attractions of Qeshm Island, many tourists visit this island every year.
By traveling to this island, you can visit and enjoy natural attractions, markets, history, water sports and diving.
Due to the weather, the best time to visit the island is autumn and winter.
You can visit more attractions and other UNESCO heritage in Iran UNESCO Heritage tour or more Oak travel agency tours.