TEHRAN – Alborz province’s tourism directorate has put forward the scenic Karaj-Chalus road as a candidate for inclusion on the national cultural heritage list.

“We are making necessary preparations for the [possible] registration of the Karaj-Chalus road on the national list of cultural heritage,” the provincial tourism chief said on Saturday.

This road has the potential to be registered nationally and even globally, and based on documentation, it is one of the four most beautiful roads in the world, Freydoun Mohammadi noted.

The road passes through arrays of historical and natural elements previously registered on the prestigious list, the official said.

There are 56 beautiful villages with unique natural and historical attractions only in the section of the road that lies within Arborz province, he added.

The winding, sharp bends of the road embraces travelers with fresh crisp air and gives them a thrilling, and sometimes scary, break from the smog and chaos of crowded Tehran.

As a piece of history, Karaj-Chalus Road, also less well known as Road 59, was constructed during the Qajar era by the local people with very primitive hand tools.

The 160-km road crossing and crawling up the Alborz Mountains offer beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and springs. Each season presents its own special beauty along the road.

Another breathtaking view and tourist attraction of the road is the Karaj dam or Amir Kabir dam, 23 km from the city of Karaj, and the shining, turquoise color waters of a lake right behind it.

Moreover, numerous traditional restaurants and teahouses, old and new in all sizes, are set by the Karaj River to welcome visitors and hungry travelers for a good time.

AFM