Asia : Middle East : Iran : Qom

Qom

Table of Contents:
Culture and History / Travel to Qom, visa requirements By air By train By car / Get around / Qom attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Qom souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Qom nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Respect / Get out

More from Iran:
Azerbaijan (Iran), Fars, Isfahan (province), Kerman (province), Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kish Island, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Qom, Qom (province), Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd (province)

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Bahrain, Dead Sea, Empty Quarter, Golan Heights, Holy Land, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Levant, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

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Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia

Qom (Farsi: قم) is a holy city between Tehran and Isfahan. Qom is near Tehran, which the distance is as far as 120 kilometers.

Culture and History

Qom is one of the most holiest cities in Iran and the middle East and is entrenched in centuries of history. It is considered to be the "Jewel of Iran". The famous thing about Qom is the Fatima È Massummeh Shrine which is a highly respected shrine and a very clean place. Non-Muslims are allowed entry to the city.But, they are not allowed entry in the holy shrine unless with a Muslim companion or guide.

Travel to Qom, visa requirements

By air

The nearest and most easily accessible international airport is Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport (IATA: IKA, ICAO: OIIE), which is due to replace the older Mehrabad International Airport (IATA: THR, ICAO: OIII).

By train

There are train routes which take you from Tehran and other nearby cities such as Arak, Yazd and Isfahan.

Qom train station, ☎ +98/(0)251/6617141 (+98/(0)251/4417151).

By car

Driving from Tehran might be a reasonable option, however, if you're worried about driving in Iran you can reserve a private bus to take you to Qom. After all, it is much safer to travel by private buses.

Get around

There is a pretty impressive bus and taxi system, which has many bus routes to Tehran and other cities. It is very cheap to travel by local buses in Qom. Private tour buses are generally much more expensive.

Qom attractions and sightseeing

The Mahdi

Shi'a Muslims believe the Islamic redeemer, known as Imam Mahdi, the twelth great grand son of Imam Ali, will come to save humanity along with Jesus (also known as Isa) one day. Shia Muslims believe that he is alive by miracle after more than 1000 years past his birth, and although he lives anonymously, occasionally he introduces himself to highly virtuous, trusted followers. The Jamkaran Mosque is believed to be constructed following his advice, given on one of these occasions.

Jamkaran Mosque, [1]. The mosque is reserved for Muslims only.

Mar'ashi Najafi Library. Library has over 500,000 handwritten texts

Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh. The Holy Shrine is the burial place of "Fatema È Massumeh". Women must wear a chador to enter.

Howzeh lake: Rich in natural spring water which is said to purify the heart.

Feyze seminary: The place which devout Muslims gather up to meet and hear speeches from the religious leaders.

City tours

Shopping, Qom souvenirs

Qom has many carpet and sweet (candy) shops. Qom is famous for it's "sohan," a flat sweet biscuit made of pistachios and saffron. "Gaz", a nougat candy is also available. Qom is also known for the unique and beautiful silk rugs which are famous worldwide for their unique silk and patterns. Naturally, as one of Islam's holy cities there are numerous religious shops which sell religious books, versions of the Koran and cassettes.

Good restaurants and cheap meals

There are lots of places to eat in Qom which range from old style Persian restaurants to international restaurants. Persian restaurants offer a more authentic cultural atmosphere than international restaurants.

Qom nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

In Qom, there are various cafes and fruit juice shops. Pomegranate juice is popular and is said to heal the sick. In the winter when it snows, hot chocolate and Persian tea (Chai) are available.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Qom International Hotel, Helal Ahmar Street (Motahary SQ). Qom International Hotel is a four star hotel and is one of Qom's more well-known hotels.

Respect

Qom is one of the holiest cities in Iran and the Middle East, and as such be aware that Islamic customs and values are more likely to be important here than elsewhere in Iran. Don't let this worry you at all, just ensure that you are respectful of religious and cultural practices and that you are dressed appropriately and modestly.

Get out

If you feel like visiting another quintessential Persian city, a few hundred kilometers away, you can visit Yazd which is an beautiful ancient city. Isfahan is another option and is a very beautiful city and is considered to be one of the oldest and most historic cities in the world.

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