ilam

Ilam, the capital of a province with the same name in western Iran, is the third biggest city with a Kurdish population in the country. From the east, Ilam is surrounded by Kabir Kuh mountain range towering over the region and marking the imaginary line between Ilam and Lorestan, and from the west, it borders with Iraq, the neighboring country.

Historically speaking, Ilam is an important region in western Iran and most of its monuments go back to the Sassanid era.

Razianeh Strait

These straits, located adjacent to a local road and 57km to the east of Ilam, is a geomorphological attraction where you can stop to watch stunning views of these unusual straits, Kabir Kuh mountain range, and lush pastures. The most famous of these straits is Razianeh which is an amalgam of limestone as well as calcium carbonate. This special natural region is a heaven for those interested in birding; Razianeh is a sanctuary for native and migrating birds. You can also find a variety of reptiles in the strait, too.

Vali Castle, Ilam

Built during the Qajar era in Ilam, the Vali Castle is a huge cultural and historical hub and the significant fortress built in the city. Originally constructed in an open space area and now surrounded by domestic homes, this complex includes a harem, an exquisite mirror hall as well as a prison in the subterranean floor. Vali which has turned into an anthropological museum to showcase the culture and lifestyles of the province has been attracting visitors from all over the country especially during the Nowruz holidays in recent years.

Darreh Shahr

Located in the northern side of the enormous and snow-capped mountains of Kabir Kuh, Darreh Shahr (meaning the City of Valleys) is in Ilam province, second biggest city in population, taking after Ilam. The original settlement of the ancient city that goes back to antiquity and the Sassanid period is situated south of the city and according to many academics, Darreh Shahr was the summer capital of the Elamite Empire.

Dehloran

Dehloran, an Iranian city near the Iraqi border in Ilam Province, this small city is home to a national park to the south-east. With the population of about 30 thousand, this small city is as diverse as it gets with a combination of three various ethnicities of Lur, Kurd, and Arab. The surrounding area is considered to be rich in diamond and gold as well as oil.