Installation of Sign Introducing Qaleh Bala as a Tourism Target Village
The Head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department of Shahroud said: "The sign introducing Qaleh Bala, a tourism target village, was installed on the Shahroud-Mashhad connecting road at the Biarjomand crossroads."
According to the Public Relations of the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Semnan, Hamid Reza Hassani, the Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of Shahroud, stated today, August 7, that "This sign has been installed with the aim of informing travelers and tourists and facilitating tourist entry into this tourism target village."
He said, "Qaleh Bala, a tourism target village, is located 140 kilometers southeast of Shahroud and 24 kilometers from the city of Biarjomand. Its proximity to Turan National Park has turned it into a tourist attraction."
Hassani added, "Qaleh Bala is higher in elevation compared to neighboring villages due to its location in the foothills, and a complete view of Biarjomand city is visible from this village."
He said, "The residential areas, agricultural lands, and gardens in this village are terraced, and the houses in Qaleh Bala village have an adobe facade, and the doors and windows of these houses are all painted orange."
He pointed out that this village has a uniform texture with cobblestone alleys and vineyards, adding, "Beautiful mountainous landscapes and desert vistas are among the natural attractions of this village."
Hassani said, "Proximity to Turan National Park and the presence of wild animals and birds such as the Asiatic cheetah, Asiatic wild ass, Pallas's sandgrouse, etc., attract many tourists and nature lovers to this village every year."
He stated that 41 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 42 species of reptiles, and two species of amphibians have been identified in Turan, adding, "Khar Turan has the largest population of cheetahs in Iran."
Hassani said, "Iranian gazelle (deer), goitered gazelle, Persian leopard, caracal, wild sheep, ibex, sand cat, Pallas's cat (one of the rare feline species in Iran), striped hyena, wolf, golden jackal, red fox, and pale fox are among the prominent mammals of this region."
He pointed out that pepper, cumin, sesame, and sunflower seeds are among the important products of this region, adding, "Various types of 'Ashkeneh' (a type of soup), 'Mast Jush' (yogurt soup), 'Qorooti' (a dish made with yogurt and eggplant), 'Abgoosht' (meat and bean stew), and 'Ash Torsh' (sour soup) are the most famous local dishes of this village."
Qaleh Bala village is accessible via the cities of Shahroud, Mayami, and Biarjomand by asphalt road, and the spring and autumn seasons are the best times to travel to this historic and beautiful village.