TEHRAN—The number of travelers visiting Kermanshah province has jumped three-fold to some 471,000 people during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to a year ago.

“A total of 471,316 people arrived in Kermanshah during the first half of the year and visited historical, cultural, and natural sites of the province,” the deputy provincial tourism chief said on Monday.

The number of visitors has jumped three-fold compared to the same period a year earlier, Ali Saber said.

“With the dropping of coronavirus disease in the country, the number of tourists who chose this province as one of their tourist destinations this year has increased significantly,” the official said.

In addition, Kermanshah attracted more foreign travelers during the period. The number drastically dropped last year due to virus concerns, he added.

“The province hosted about 1,700 foreign tourists during the first half of the year, while the total number of international travelers to Kermanshah reached only 400 people last year.”

Kermanshah embraces a variety of awe-inspiring historical sites, of which Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan are both on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Inscribed into the base of a towering cliff, Taq-e Bostan comprises extraordinary Sassanian bas-reliefs of ancient victorious kings who divide opinions. Late afternoon is the best time to visit, as the cliff turns a brilliant orange in the setting sun, which then dies poetically on the far side of the duck pond.

Bisotun is a patchwork of immense yet impressive life-size carvings depicting King Darius I and several other figures. UNESCO has it that Bisotun bears outstanding testimony to the important interchange of human values in the development of monumental art and writing, reflecting ancient traditions in monumental reliefs.

AM