TEHRAN –Tourism authorities of Qom province plan to hold a familiarization tour in a bid to promote traveling to the central province, the deputy provincial tourism chief has announced.

Journalists from different provinces are to attend the tour, which will be held on Monday on the occasion of the national tourism week (September 27-October 3), CHT quoted Mehdi Nasr Esfahani as saying on Sunday.

Situated adjacent to salt-covered deserts, golden dunes, running sands, and jagged mountains, Qom is home to the shrine of Hazrat-e Masumeh (SA) and major religious madrasas (schools).

Apart from sightseers and pilgrims who visit Qom to pay homage, it is also a top destination for Shia scholars and students who come from across the world to learn Islamic studies at its madrasas and browse through eminent religious bookshops.

One of the most visited natural spots of Qom is Hoz-e Soltan. It is an eye-catching salt lake in the middle of the desert. The visitors could easily walk in the shallow parts and enjoy the shapes created by the salt, however, the center of the lake could be dangerous, as it is muddy and could easily trap people.

ABU/MG