Tehran

Tehran

Introduction to Attractions

The capital of Iran, Tehran, is located in the north-central part of the country, nestled at the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountain Range on the northern edge of the vast Iranian Plateau. The urban area spreads across a plain, while the eastern, western, and northern suburbs are encircled by the Alborz Mountains and arc-shaped hills.

Tehran is a city with a long history. As early as the beginning of the 9th century AD, it had become a residential settlement, a suburb of Rey, a famous city of the time, and a stopover along the ancient world-renowned Silk Road. In the 13th century, due to devastating invasions by powerful foreign tribes, the city of Rey was severely damaged. Tehran then rose to prominence. Situated at the intersection of a major east-west route in northern Iran and roads leading south, it quickly developed into a medium-sized city and a trade hub within a short period.

In 1788, Agha Mohammad Khan, the first monarch of the Qajar Dynasty, established his capital here and named it Tehran. In Persian, “Tehran” means “city of purity,” and can also be interpreted as “holy place.”

In Persian, “Tehran” also means “plain,” which naturally refers to the city’s location on a vast expanse of flat land, as well as to distinguish it from the mountainous regions to the northwest. Another interpretation of Tehran is “hot place.” It is said that one of the main reasons successive Iranian emperors hesitated to choose Tehran as their capital was the intense summer heat. However, since the Qajar Dynasty established its capital here, Tehran has remained the capital of Iran.

During World War II, the name Tehran gained global fame, as the leaders of the Allied powers—苏联, the United States, and the United Kingdom—met here in 1943 and issued the famous Tehran Declaration, calling on the world to unite to defeat fascist Germany.

Tehran is situated on a gentle slope, at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 meters, covering an area of over 300 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 9 million. The streets of Tehran are wide, shaded by trees, and lined with modern, neat, and innovative buildings, interspersed with quaint mosques, churches, and more, giving the city an aura that is both ancient and youthful.

One of Tehran’s most striking features is the abundance of blooming flowers throughout the year, especially roses, beloved by Persians, which can be seen everywhere. Flowers can be found in front of houses, along roadsides, and in street gardens with fountains, filling the air with their fragrance. Residents have a deep love for planting, cultivating, and admiring flowers, and many wealthier families create small flower gardens in front of their homes. For this reason, Tehran is also humorously referred to as the “City of Flowers.” The city is home to numerous historical sites and museums, including two sets of walls built by the Qajar Dynasty in the 18th century, the magnificent Golestan Palace, and the Marble Palace. There are also an archaeological museum showcasing a rich collection of historical artifacts, a treasure museum in the underground vaults of the National Central Bank, a museum dedicated to displaying world-famous Persian carpets, and the Freedom Tower, built to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire.

These historical sites and various museums reflect the glorious history of Persian culture spanning thousands of years.

The Freedom Tower is majestic and uniquely styled. Driving from the Mehrabad International Airport in the western suburbs into the city, the first thing that comes into view is this tower. The tower stands 45 meters tall, with a base that is 63 meters long and 42 meters wide, and is grayish-white in color, constructed from reinforced concrete and marble. The Freedom Tower was completed in October 1971, designed by Iranian architect Hossein

Amanat. During the design process, he paid attention to incorporating the strengths of foreign towers while fully reflecting the national style of Iranian architecture. The base of the tower houses a museum and a cinema. The cinema can accommodate 500 spectators, with five film projectors simultaneously screening films on a large screen. The films primarily depict Iran’s long history, splendid culture, scenic landscapes, and historical sites.

This is a popular spot for tourists, and often people have to queue up to purchase movie tickets. Ascending 275 stone steps in a spiral from the base of the tower leads to the observation deck at the top. Standing on the observation deck and looking around, one can take in the breathtaking views of the city: the glittering ancient buildings, the grand high-rises, the wide, straight tree-lined boulevards, stretching from the train station in the southern part of the city, through the old and new districts to the north, all the way up to the summer resorts at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains, above 1,600 meters in elevation—the entire cityscape of Tehran is spread out before your eyes.

The Freedom Tower lies on the central axis of Tehran’s urban layout. Starting from the tower, four wide, flat asphalt roads stretch into the distance, like ribbons connecting the various streets, unifying the entire city into an organic whole. Tehran has experienced rapid development over the past 20 years or so. Since the 1970s, with the growth of Iran’s oil industry, urban construction has surged, and the city has gradually expanded toward the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountains. Tehran concentrates nearly one-third of Iran’s national manufacturing industry, and its handicrafts such as carpets, silk fabrics, and embroidery are especially renowned. It serves as the country’s political and economic center.

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