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Latest Reviews
Wat Suwan Khuha
Remember not to park your vehicle too near the cave entrance as there are plenty of monkeys around this area that are often seen pulling car wipers, antennas or whatever they could get their hands on. A large decorated gate at the foot of the cliff gives way to a cavern with lofty ceilings, about twenty meters wide and forty meters long. This natural temple houses an impressive 15 m long golden statue of reclining Buddha (the temple’s center of attraction) in addition to many other large images of standing Buddha. The entire space at Wat Tham Suwan Khuha is embellished with plenty of religious items. You might see a monk meditating before the reclining Buddha surrounded by a few cats taking a nap. At the cave’s entrance, you’ll see a Chedi structure which is reminiscent of the famous Wat Arun (temple of dawn) in Bangkok. A set of stairs near the reclining Buddha will lead you up to another grotto housing another golden stupa. The wide staircase at the end of the cave will give you access to the forest outside and eventually to some more small but interesting caves. Apart from the notorious monkeys, Wat Tham Suwan Khuha is a wonderful place to visit.
Royal Car Museum
I visited the Royal Car Museum as part of the Sa'ad Abad Complex, which is a historical and cultural attraction in Tehran. The museum is located in a former garage of the royal family, and displays some of the luxury cars that they owned or used. The museum is not very big, but it has some interesting and rare models of cars from different countries and eras.
The museum has a collection of about 10 cars, mostly Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce, but also some other brands like Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler. Some of the cars have historical significance, such as the Mercedes-Benz 600 that was used by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during his coronation ceremony in 1967, or the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV that was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II to the Shah in 1959. Some of the cars have unique features, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL that has gull-wing doors, or the Chrysler Imperial that has a bullet-proof glass partition.
The museum also has some motorcycles and a snowmobile that were used by the royal family for recreational purposes. The motorcycles include a Harley-Davidson and a BMW, while the snowmobile is a Bombardier Ski-Doo. The museum also has some photos and documents related to the cars and their owners, such as registration papers, licenses, and invoices
The museum is not very crowded, and you can easily see all the cars in less than an hour. The museum staff are friendly and helpful, and can provide some information about the cars if you ask them.
I enjoyed visiting the Royal Car Museum, as I am interested in cars and history. I think it is a good place to see some of the cars that were once owned by the rulers of Iran, and to learn more about their lifestyle and preferences. The museum is not very impressive or comprehensive, but it is worth a visit if you are in the Sa'ad Abad Complex. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The museum has a collection of about 10 cars, mostly Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce, but also some other brands like Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler. Some of the cars have historical significance, such as the Mercedes-Benz 600 that was used by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during his coronation ceremony in 1967, or the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV that was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II to the Shah in 1959. Some of the cars have unique features, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL that has gull-wing doors, or the Chrysler Imperial that has a bullet-proof glass partition.
The museum also has some motorcycles and a snowmobile that were used by the royal family for recreational purposes. The motorcycles include a Harley-Davidson and a BMW, while the snowmobile is a Bombardier Ski-Doo. The museum also has some photos and documents related to the cars and their owners, such as registration papers, licenses, and invoices
The museum is not very crowded, and you can easily see all the cars in less than an hour. The museum staff are friendly and helpful, and can provide some information about the cars if you ask them.
I enjoyed visiting the Royal Car Museum, as I am interested in cars and history. I think it is a good place to see some of the cars that were once owned by the rulers of Iran, and to learn more about their lifestyle and preferences. The museum is not very impressive or comprehensive, but it is worth a visit if you are in the Sa'ad Abad Complex. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Darband Valley
Darband Valley is a beautiful and popular destination for nature lovers and hikers who want to escape the busy and polluted city of Tehran. It is located at the foothills of Mount Tochal, which is the highest peak in the Alborz mountain range. Darband Valley offers a variety of hiking trails, waterfalls, and traditional restaurants that cater to different tastes and preferences.
The main entrance to Darband Valley is about 3 kilometers uphill from Tajrish Square, where you can take a taxi or a bus. There, you will find a narrow rocky valley with a stream flowing down the slope. Along the valley, there are many small cafes and restaurants that serve tea, coffee, snacks, and hookah. You can also buy fresh fruits, nuts, and honey from the local vendors. The valley is decorated with colorful umbrellas, lanterns, and carpets that create a cozy and festive atmosphere.
The hiking trails start from the end of the valley and go up into the mountains. There are several routes to choose from, depending on your fitness level and time availability. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- **Darband to Shirpala Hut**: This is the easiest and shortest trail, suitable for beginners and families. It takes about 2 hours to reach the Shirpala Hut, which is a wooden lodge at an altitude of 2750 meters. There, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tehran and have a meal or a drink at the restaurant. The trail is well-marked and has some stairs and bridges along the way. You will also pass by some waterfalls and springs that add to the beauty of the scenery.
- **Darband to Tochal Peak**: This is the most challenging and rewarding trail, suitable for experienced and adventurous hikers. It takes about 6 hours to reach the Tochal Peak, which is the highest point in Tehran at an altitude of 3964 meters. There, you can see the snow-capped mountains of Alborz and feel the fresh and cool air. The trail is steep and rocky, and requires some climbing skills and equipment. You will also need to obtain a permit from the Tochal Complex before attempting this trail.
- **Darband to Palangchal Peak**: This is a moderate and scenic trail, suitable for intermediate hikers who want to enjoy some nature and solitude. It takes about 4 hours to reach the Palangchal Peak, which is a grassy hill at an altitude of 3350 meters. There, you can see some wildflowers and wildlife, such as goats and eagles. The trail is mostly dirt and gravel, and has some ups and downs along the way. You will also pass by some small villages and farms that give you a glimpse of the rural life in Iran.
After hiking, you can relax and recharge at one of the many restaurants in Darband Valley. They offer a variety of dishes, such as kebabs, stews, soups, salads, rice, bread, yogurt, and desserts. Some of the most famous ones are:
- **Shandiz**: This is a large and luxurious restaurant that serves high-quality meat dishes in a traditional setting. It has a spacious garden with fountains and flowers, as well as an indoor hall with elegant furniture and paintings. The prices are relatively high, but the portions are generous and the service is excellent.
- **Shemshak**: This is a cozy and rustic restaurant that serves authentic Iranian cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. It has a wooden terrace with views of the valley and the mountains, as well as an indoor area with fireplaces and carpets. The prices are reasonable, but the menu is limited and changes daily.
- **Darband**: This is a simple and cheap restaurant that serves fast food and snacks in a casual setting. It has a small outdoor area with tables and chairs, as well as an indoor area with TVs and music. The prices are low, but the quality is average and the hygiene is questionable.
Darband Valley is a great place to visit if you want to experience some nature, culture, and adventure in Tehran. It offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll or a challenging hike.
The main entrance to Darband Valley is about 3 kilometers uphill from Tajrish Square, where you can take a taxi or a bus. There, you will find a narrow rocky valley with a stream flowing down the slope. Along the valley, there are many small cafes and restaurants that serve tea, coffee, snacks, and hookah. You can also buy fresh fruits, nuts, and honey from the local vendors. The valley is decorated with colorful umbrellas, lanterns, and carpets that create a cozy and festive atmosphere.
The hiking trails start from the end of the valley and go up into the mountains. There are several routes to choose from, depending on your fitness level and time availability. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- **Darband to Shirpala Hut**: This is the easiest and shortest trail, suitable for beginners and families. It takes about 2 hours to reach the Shirpala Hut, which is a wooden lodge at an altitude of 2750 meters. There, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tehran and have a meal or a drink at the restaurant. The trail is well-marked and has some stairs and bridges along the way. You will also pass by some waterfalls and springs that add to the beauty of the scenery.
- **Darband to Tochal Peak**: This is the most challenging and rewarding trail, suitable for experienced and adventurous hikers. It takes about 6 hours to reach the Tochal Peak, which is the highest point in Tehran at an altitude of 3964 meters. There, you can see the snow-capped mountains of Alborz and feel the fresh and cool air. The trail is steep and rocky, and requires some climbing skills and equipment. You will also need to obtain a permit from the Tochal Complex before attempting this trail.
- **Darband to Palangchal Peak**: This is a moderate and scenic trail, suitable for intermediate hikers who want to enjoy some nature and solitude. It takes about 4 hours to reach the Palangchal Peak, which is a grassy hill at an altitude of 3350 meters. There, you can see some wildflowers and wildlife, such as goats and eagles. The trail is mostly dirt and gravel, and has some ups and downs along the way. You will also pass by some small villages and farms that give you a glimpse of the rural life in Iran.
After hiking, you can relax and recharge at one of the many restaurants in Darband Valley. They offer a variety of dishes, such as kebabs, stews, soups, salads, rice, bread, yogurt, and desserts. Some of the most famous ones are:
- **Shandiz**: This is a large and luxurious restaurant that serves high-quality meat dishes in a traditional setting. It has a spacious garden with fountains and flowers, as well as an indoor hall with elegant furniture and paintings. The prices are relatively high, but the portions are generous and the service is excellent.
- **Shemshak**: This is a cozy and rustic restaurant that serves authentic Iranian cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. It has a wooden terrace with views of the valley and the mountains, as well as an indoor area with fireplaces and carpets. The prices are reasonable, but the menu is limited and changes daily.
- **Darband**: This is a simple and cheap restaurant that serves fast food and snacks in a casual setting. It has a small outdoor area with tables and chairs, as well as an indoor area with TVs and music. The prices are low, but the quality is average and the hygiene is questionable.
Darband Valley is a great place to visit if you want to experience some nature, culture, and adventure in Tehran. It offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a relaxing stroll or a challenging hike.