Fushe Village

Fushe Village lies in the southwest of Fuman County in Gilan Province. Covering an area of about 82 square kilometres, it is one of the most beautiful and interesting villages in the region. The village sits in a mountainous, forested area, bordered to the northeast by the villages of Qaleh Rudkhan and Heydarolat, and to the west and southwest by forested highlands. A permanent river flows roughly through the middle of Fushe, dividing the village into two parts, "Bala Fushe" (Upper Fushe) and "Pain Fushe" (Lower Fushe), and the houses are spread out in a scattered, linear pattern around it. The difference in elevation between the lower and upper parts of the village is between about 175 and 370 metres, and the highest peaks of the area are reported to reach about 2,800 metres. The surroundings have varied vegetation, including pristine forests, tea gardens on the slopes, and trees such as alder, maple, beech and date-plum.

River and glacial terraces, tea gardens on the slopes, and pristine forests to the north, west and south have gradually made Fushe one of the emerging tourist destinations in Gilan. The village has more than 200 households, and most residents work in tea cultivation, while rice farming and animal husbandry are common supplementary activities. As for attractions, Fushe offers more than natural beauty alone, with several important sights nearby. One is the Mollah Hasan Waterfall, about 5 kilometres past the village's metal bridge; part of the route must be covered on foot. The Fushe Blood Cave (Gheyr-e Khun) is also located in the forested, mountainous area near the village; visiting it requires walking and a local guide, and the cave entrance is reported to be at an elevation of about 930 metres above sea level. Deep in the forests of Fushe there is also a shrine belonging to "Agha Sheikh Jamal", a place of pilgrimage and rest for visitors.

To reach Fushe Village, first go to Fuman County, then take the Qaleh Rudkhan road to the village road. After passing Qaleh Rudkhan, it is about twenty minutes' drive to the Fushe signpost. If you plan to visit the highlands or more remote spots, the route can become rough, and some sections are not paved. The best time to visit Fushe is usually summer, when the weather is more pleasant and the river pools are available for swimming. Spring and early autumn are also good times to visit, although humid weather and rain may have an effect. When travelling to Fushe, you are encouraged to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism: collect your rubbish, stay on marked trails, avoid lighting fires in the forest, and treat wildlife and local residents with respect.