Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shuttle Taxi
A key route runs along Imam Khomeini St from Fajr Sq to Abaresan Crossing (US$1),
but on returning diverts onto Jomhuri-e Eslami St passing the bazaar. At Abaresan Cross-
ing, walk under the flyover to continue to Valiasr district (US$0.50) or to Rahnamae
(US$0.50) where you'll change again for Elgoli (US$0.50). For the train station start from
Qonaga Sq (US$0.50). To the bus terminal, shuttle taxis take Shari'ati St southbound re-
turning via Taleqani St.
Tram/Metro
A comprehensive four-line city metro is due in 2013,
insh'Allah
, and will link the city's
sprawling districts in a roughly north-south and east-west web of stations; the
north-south Line 4 is intended to loop around the old core of Tabriz and should prove a
useful alternative to spluttering taxis. It looks likely that the metro will only partially be
open by the due date.
Around Tabriz
KANDOVANناودنك
0412 / POP 680 / ELEV 1575M
Reminiscent of Cappadocia (in Turkey), remarkable
Kandovan
(Chandovan; village ad-
mission US$1)
is a photogenic settlement of troglodyte homes and storage barns carved
out of curiously eroded rocks. These sit above a newer lower village like a conference of
stone ice-cream cones. Scrambling along steep, narrow paths between them gives you
ample idea of the place within a few minutes. However, staying overnight allows you to
'feel' the village without its crowds of local tourists.
Beyond Kandovan, smooth steep foothills mask a full view of
Mt Sahand
whose hid-
den volcanic summit rises to 3707m. David Rohl's book
Legend
suggests that Sahand was
the Bible's 'Mountain of God'. If true that would place Kandovan slap bang in the origin-
al Garden of Eden. But today it's honey rather than apples that tempt a tasting.
Sleeping & Eating
In Kandovan, several of the discordantly ordinary homes and shops at the village base of-
fer very basic
rooms to rent
(r US$4)
mostly from May to September only. You'll usually
get an unfurnished room with carpeted floor, so consider bringing a sleeping bag. Standar-
ds vary.
Kafe Gazakhuri Daiya
(r US$4)
is easiest to find (across the bridge from the