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Kermanshah

Iran · Asia

Kermanshah, Iran
Kermanshah, Iran. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

About Kermanshah

Kermanshah is a city in the Central District of Kermanshah province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. The city is 525 kilometres (326 miles) from Tehran in the western part of the country. The 2016 National Census measured the population of the city as 946,651 (2025 estimate 1,117,000).

"Kermanshah" derives from the Sasanian era title Kirmanshah, which translates as "King of Kerman". This title was held by the son of Shapur III, Prince Bahram, who was bestowed with the title upon being appointed governor of the province of Kirman (present-day Kerman Province). Later, in 390, when he had already succeeded his father as Bahram IV Kirmanshah (r. 388–399), he founded the city and his title was applied to it, i.e. "(City of the) King of Kirman".

Kermanshah is considered one of the cradles of prehistoric cultures. According to archaeological surveys and excavation, the Kermanshah area has been occupied by prehistoric people since the Lower Paleolithic period, and continued to later Paleolithic...

Kermanshah travel guide

Understand

Kermanshah has a large population, and Kurdish language as well as some dialects of Kurdish is widely used in the city.

Getting there

By plane Kermanshah has an international airport that can be reached from some airports in Iran, especially from and to Tehran, and Mashhad. There are also regular flights to Kermanshah Airport from Istanbul.

By car You can hire a car, however the easiest way to travel is via taxi. Snapp (اسنپ) and Tapsi (تپسی) are easy to use and equivalent to Uber and outside Tehran, they are cheap (Travel rates for Snapp and Tapsi are higher in Tehran).

By train Kermanshah railway station was inaugurated in March 2018. There will be two weekly direct trains to Tehran and Mashhad.

1 Kermanshah railway station (ایستگاه راه آهن کرمانشاه). (updated Jun 2021)

By bus There are buses to Kermanshah from Tehran and other major cities. There are bus groups going to Karbala through Baghdad in Iraq every day, but first you should go to a travel agency.

See

There are four museums in old houses of Qajar period. These are Museum of Ethnography at Tekyeh Moavenalmolk, Zagros Paleolithic Museum and Museum of Epigraphy and Qajar Hand Writings at Tekieh Biglar Baigi. The Zagros Paleolithic Museum contains rich collections of stone tools and animal fossil bones from various Paleolithic sites in Iran. It is the first museum in Iran that is devoted to Paleolithic period of Iran. The Museum of Traditional Martial Art (wrestling موزه پهلوانی) in Kermanshah contains many wax models of traditional wrestlers.

Talab-e Hashilan: There are tiny floating islands in this marsh with various plants sheltering 200 species of birds. The 1500-hectare marsh is 32 km distant from Kermanshah. Prav Cave in the Prav Mountains between Taq Bostan and Bisotoon heights is the deepest cave in Asia (the deepest cave in the world is Ali-Sadr Cave in Hamedan northeast of Kermanshah). There are famous glaciers and a marvelous 762-meter deep valley in it with several streams.Qoori Qal'eh cave is another of the natural wonders of the province, located 92 km from the city heading toward Paveh. The cave's spine is 3,140 meters long and the cave-length is 12 km with a beautiful natural surrounding of a variety of forest trees. In the cave, the first phase of which has been developed, there is an ever-flowing stream of 111 liters per second, and chambers with enchanting icicles and colorful columns. In fact, it is a romantic sight never to be forgotten. 1 Taq-e Bostan. One of the most impressive reliefs inside the largest grotto or ivan is the gigantic equestrian figure of the Sassanid king Khosrau II (591-628 CE) mounted on his favorite charger, Shabdiz. Horse and rider are arrayed in full battle armor. The arch rests on two columns that bear delicately carved patterns showing the tree of life or the sacred tree. Above the arch and located on two opposite sides are figures of two winged angles with diadems. Around the outer layer of the arch, a conspicuous margin has been carved, jagged with flower patterns. These patterns are also found in the official costumes of Sassanid kings. Equestrian relief panel 7.45 m across by 4.25 m high.

2 Behistun Inscription. The Behistun Inscription (also Bisitun or Bisutun, Modern Persian: بیستون ; Old Persian: Bagastana, meaning "the god's place or land") is a multi-lingual inscription on Mount Behistun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The inscription includes three versions of the same text, written in three different cuneiform script languages: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian. A British army officer, Henry R

Buy

Beji (cookie) Nan-e Roughani Nan-e shekari Nan-e berenji Kaak Kermanshahi Butter Nan-e khormayi Giveh is a kind of soft, comfortable, durable and handwoven-top shoe common in several parts of Iran especially in rural and mountainous areas of Kermanshah Province. The production centers of Giveh in Kermanshah Province are Paveh, Harsin, and Kermanshah. Giveh is made up of two parts: sole and upper. The sole is usually rubber or leather the upper is woven thread. Before the arrival of rubber industry to the area Giveh-makers would use a kind of wild-bull leather to make giveh and the upper was of wool or cotton thread. Most rich people would wear them. With the arrival of rubber industry lower class people use rubber in the sole of their shoes.

Sleep

Budget Kermanshah Oak Hostel, No. 12, Naghibzadeh alley, West Motahhari (Sirous) St., Javanshir intersection, Kermanshah,[1]. checkin: 14:00 checkout: 12:00. A newly renovated building in the heart of traditional Kermanshah, offering dorms and private rooms to the guests from December 2018. Dormitories have beautifully designed bunk beds with private curtains, individual lockers, sockets and light on each bed. A budget guesthouse, suitable for families, couples and backpackers; Breakfast and WiFi are included. It is close to old bazaar of Kermanshah and other sightseeing of Kermanshah. Dorms from €5.5, private rooms from €17.5. Contact: +98 83 3723 1682

Mid-range

Splurge 1 Hotel Parsian, Taq Bostan Blvd, ☏ +98 83 3421 9151. 5 stars, the most comfortable hotel in the city. Breakfast time: 07:00-10:00 - Lunch time: 12:30-15:00 - Dinner time:20:30-23:00. 2 Hotel Jamshid, Taq Bostan Square, ☏ +98 83 3429 6002. 4-star hotel with a restaurant. 2,120,000 rials. (updated Aug 2016)

Go next

Shopping. Nan-Brenji, Nan-Roghan, and handicrafts including gilim, giveh (cotton shoe), and local dress can be bought.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.

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