Valian Village

Valian is one of the most scenic highland (yeylaq) villages in Alborz Province. It lies in Chandar Rural District, in Chandar District of Savojbolagh County, close to the town of Kohsar. The village is about 15 kilometres north of Kohsar and, set among the Alborz heights, has a mountain climate with cold winters. Valian's history is estimated at around 3,000 to 3,500 years, and this heritage, together with its green surroundings and rural way of life, gives it a distinct historical and cultural identity. The people of the area speak Tati, and orchard keeping, farming and animal husbandry are among their traditional activities. The village's population changes through the year: with the start of summer and the arrival of visitors and seasonal residents, the number of people there increases. The combination of mountain scenery, fruit orchards, flowing water and traditional village architecture has made Valian a good destination for short trips and nature tourism near Karaj and Tehran.

Among Valian's most important natural attractions are springs such as Cheshmeh Zar, Cheshmeh Darvish and Cheshmeh Valbin, which are also important for the area's water supply. The Valian River, called Souk-e Valian in the local dialect, rises in the surrounding heights and flows through the village after passing the Valian Dam (Band-e Valian). Along the river and in the Darband-e Valian valley you will find views of running water, dense orchards and varied vegetation, offering a pleasant setting for walking, photography and resting in nature. Valian's many waterfalls are another of the area's natural attractions and, together with the river and mountain scenery, add a spectacular touch to the village's landscape. Walnut, cherry, sour cherry, almond, apricot and white mulberry trees, along with crops such as wheat, barley and alfalfa, form part of the natural and agricultural character of the area. Besides its natural attractions, Valian also has historical and cultural sites, including the village's Jame Mosque, whose grounds hold an ancient plane tree about a thousand years old. The historic cemetery, the ancient mounds around Kalaghdareh and Darebaneh, a millstone, and the old mulberry tree at the Hazrat Abolfazl Mosque are other sights worth seeing. Besides exploring the countryside, visitors can get to know the local culture, local dishes and orchard products of the village. Dried mulberries, walnuts and other dried fruits and nuts are well-known souvenirs of Valian, and dishes such as Valiani reshteh polo (noodle rice), wheat ash (thick soup), barley ash, eshkaneh (onion and egg soup) and kaljoosh are among its local foods.

To reach Valian, you can take the Karaj–Qazvin Freeway from Karaj, then follow the side roads leading to the town of Kohsar and the Khorvin road to continue towards the village. Signposts in the area also help you find the way to Darband-e Valian. Spring and summer, especially from mid-spring to the end of summer, are the best times for nature tourism in this village thanks to the green orchards, flowing springs and more favourable weather. In autumn, the changing colour of the leaves gives the orchards and valleys a different look, but since the area has a cold climate, you should bring suitable clothing on colder days of the year and check the weather and road conditions before setting out. When visiting Valian, please avoid leaving litter, damaging plants, lighting fires in high-risk spots, and polluting the springs and river. Respecting the boundaries of orchards and farmland, respecting the daily life of residents and avoiding excessive noise also help protect the nature and local culture of this valuable village.