Western Iran - Iran - page 255

the last 15 minutes or so. A taxi dar baste to the upper hairpin sections of Abidar Park
costs around US$3.
Palanganناگنلپ
POP 850 / ELEV 1005M
Brilliant Palangan is one of Iran's most picturesque villages. Its earth-coloured stone
houses climb steeply up both sides of a rocky chasm while traditionally dressed villagers
shoe horses in the narrow pathways or simply stand gazing from their flat rooftops.
Wobbly old bridges cross the gushing river at either end of town. Unlike Howraman,
though, this is not an 'undiscovered' gem. Local tourists come in considerable numbers at
weekends to picnic in the local orchards. However, because many come dressed up in
Kurdish Friday-best costumes this adds further photogenic colour to the scene.
To get here, start in dreary Kamyaran, halfway between Hamadan and Sanandaj. Savar-
is for Palangan start from Salahaddin St (2km southeast of Kamyaran's main terminal),
but you'll probably need to pay dar baste (US$10 return plus waiting time). The asphalted
road (45km) passes some other interesting mud-and-stone Kurdish villages en route. Ve-
hicles arrive at a car park outside Palangan's big, rather ugly fish farm. Don't be dis-
mayed. The old village is hidden around the corner, a 15-minute stroll along a covered
watercourse.