TEHRAN – Tourism routes to one of Iran’s popular holiday destinations, Fandoqlu Forest, known for flower farming and cool weather, are being improved and repaired.

A budget of 2.5 billion rials ($8,400) has been allocated to the improvement of the Fandoqlu Forest tourism hub, in northwestern Ardabil province, the provincial tourism chief has said.

During peak tourist seasons, Fandoqlu Forest’s access route is one of the busiest tourist routes, so improving it can facilitate tourist movement, Fardin Eini explained on Wednesday.

Fandoqlu Forest is located in the highlands of Ardabil, near the city of Namin. This forest is somewhat different from the other ones in Iran because of its eye-catching plains, varieties of wild hazelnuts, and hot water springs. The forest is located at an altitude of 1500 meters and benefits from a pleasant climate.

The forest is sprawled in Ardabil and Gilan provinces and it attracts many domestic and foreign visitors every year. Adjacent to the forest is expansive mayweed fields, which host a mayweed festival every spring.

Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardabil is well-known for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition, it is also home to the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble.

The province is very cold in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

ABU/AM