Milanlu Model Tourism Area

The Milanlu Model Tourism Area lies in Milanlu Rural District, centered on the village of Parkanlu, in the Central District of Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province. It is about 9 kilometers east of the city of Esfarayen. The rural district is bordered by Golian Rural District of Shirvan County to the northeast, Shahjahan Rural District of Faruj County to the east, Bam and Safiabad Rural District to the south, and Ruein Rural District to the west. Milanlu is a mountainous summer-pasture (yeylaq) region that includes the villages of Ardaghan, Bidvaz, Hasanabad, Sarcheshmeh, Sarkanlu, Parkanlu and Qazaqi along the Bidvaz River. The way these villages and the extensive orchards run on in a line along the river has created the green, eye-catching landscape of the Milanlu Valley.

Milanlu's nature, a combination of lush orchards, a river, streams, springs, open spaces and mountains, is one of the area's main attractions. Chehel Cheshmeh ("Forty Springs") in the village of Sarcheshmeh is one of the region's notable springs, and it also supplies part of the water of the perennial river. Further downstream, the water helps irrigate farmland and orchards, and the area produces apples, peaches, apricots, walnuts and a variety of summer vegetables and crops. Other attractions in Milanlu include the Senjed Cave of Sarcheshmeh, Nushirvan Cave, the Chaman recreation area, the slopes of the Shahjahan and Karkazab mountains, and the distinctive architecture of the village houses. The Chaman recreation area welcomes nature lovers in particular during Nowruz and Sizdah Bedar.

To reach the Milanlu Model Tourism Area, head east from the city of Esfarayen and enter the area of the villages of Milanlu Rural District. The route through the Milanlu Valley to the Bidvaz Dam is about 9 kilometers long, and along the way the river, green meadows, orchards and springs create varied scenery; in some sections you need to cross the river. Because the region is a cool summer pasture, Khordad (late May to June) is a good time to see Milanlu's green landscape, and spring and summer are also favorable seasons for visiting. In Milanlu's unspoiled nature, please avoid leaving litter, damaging vegetation, and polluting the springs and river, so that this natural landscape is preserved for visitors and local residents.