Shazdeh Mahan garden

Perhaps it's not what you would expect to find in such a dry part of the country, but the Shazdeh Mahan garden is a magnificent oasis of green trees and bushes right in the heart of the desert. Its name means 'the prince's garden' and it was ordered to be built by the ruler of Kerman during the Qajar dynasty. The garden is so significant, it's one of the national monuments of Iran that has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List (in 2011).

The greenery is not the only impressive feature of the Shazdeh Mahan garden, with its architecture and gorgeous pavilion also highlights. The garden was designed to have different levels, and you'll find the pavilion on the highest levels overlooking the layout below. The tiered construction also helps with irrigation of the entire space, as water flows like a waterfall from the highest to the lower step. Impressively, the pavilion even has a pool and five fountains.

The garden is just a 30-minute drive from Kerman so it's well worth taking the time to come and have a look around. It has the perfect mix between cultural and natural heritage and, for many, the green landscape is a relief after days in the desert. It's certainly a surprise for many people who aren't expecting something so lush in this region!