Where Is Kandolus and Why Was It Inscribed as a Global Tourism Village?
WANA (Oct 19) – Nestled in the lush Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran, the historic village of Kandolus in the Kojur region of Mazandaran has been officially recognized as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages. With its traditional architecture, pristine landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Kandolus now stands as a symbol of Iran’s progress toward sustainable rural tourism.
In an official ceremony held in China, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) presented plaques of global recognition to three Iranian villages: Kandolus in Mazandaran, Sohaili on Qeshm Island, and Shafiabad in Kerman Province. With this addition, the number of Iranian villages inscribed on the global list has reached five. Previously, only Kandovan in East Azerbaijan and Esfahak in South Khorasan had earned this distinction.
The historic village of Kandolus in the Kojur region of Mazandaran, Iran . Social Media / WANA News Agency
A Village in Harmony With Nature
Located on the green slopes of the Alborz Mountains, Kandolus offers a remarkable example of human coexistence with nature. Its wooden houses, designed to match the natural contours of the land, cobblestone alleys, medicinal herb gardens, and panoramic mountain views together create a vivid image of rural life deeply rooted in ecology.
The Kandolus Ethnographic Museum, displaying traditional tools, local costumes, and ancient artifacts, serves as a living archive of the region’s cultural identity. Visitors experience the calm rhythm of rural life — mornings filled with birdsong, afternoons scented with wild herbs, and nights illuminated by the soft glow of wooden cottages beside murmuring streams.
The historic village of Kandolus in the Kojur region of Mazandaran, Iran . Social Media / WANA News Agency
A Global Competition Among 65 Countries
According to Mousavian, an expert involved in the registration process, 65 countries competed to have their rural destinations inscribed on the UNWTO’s global list, submitting more than 270 applications. Villages were evaluated based on nine key sustainability criteria — including social and environmental resilience, infrastructure, safety, health, governance, and cultural resources.
Kandolus scored above 80 points, earning its place among the world’s leading models of sustainable tourism.
Three Iranian Villages Named Among UN World’s Best
WANA (Oct 17) – The villages of Shafiabad, Kandolus, and Soheili have been officially included in the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) list of Best Tourism Villages, marking a historic achievement for Iran’s cultural and ecological tourism. According to Seyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, the registration took place […]
Collective Efforts Behind the Achievement
Shahrokh Jahanshahi, governor of Nowshahr, described Kandolus’s global registration as “the result of coordinated efforts between local authorities, rural councils, and residents.” He emphasized that this was Kandolus’s third and final attempt for inclusion, which succeeded after significant infrastructure improvements and cultural preservation initiatives.
Hossein Izadi, director-general of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism of Mazandaran, also called the inscription a turning point for the province’s tourism economy. “Recognizing Kandolus as a global tourism village will boost foreign visits and strengthen local livelihoods,” he said. “It also paves the way for introducing other villages in Mazandaran to the international tourism network.”
The historic village of Kandolus in the Kojur region of Mazandaran, Iran . Social Media / WANA News Agency
Environmental Commitment and Local Innovation
The Kojur Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management has implemented several eco-projects to support Kandolus’s global recognition, including reforestation of 20,000 square meters of national lands and construction of nine stone-and-gabion hydraulic structures to conserve soil and water resources.
Head of the department, Mohsen Pourdavoudi, stated that these projects reflect both local commitment to global environmental standards and practical steps toward climate resilience.
To ensure sustainable development, a Local Think Tank was also established in Kandolus, bringing together residents, experts, and tourism stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in preserving the village’s historical and ecological integrity.
The historic village of Kandolus in the Kojur region of Mazandaran, Iran . Social Media / WANA News Agency
A Model for Cultural and Sustainable Tourism
Today, Kandolus represents more than a tourist destination — it is a living model of cultural continuity and community-based innovation. Local legends such as “Mina and the Leopard” have inspired the creation of Iran’s first literary tourism trail, where visitors explore the village through oral storytelling and traditional crafts.
The rise of eco-lodges, craft workshops, and cultural festivals has made Kandolus a pioneer in sustainable tourism in northern Iran. Local youth and women have played an active role in this transformation, using digital media to share the story of Kandolus with the world.
Kandolus now shines as a global emblem of harmony between heritage, creativity, and nature — a small mountain village that tells a universal story: when people protect their identity and environment together, they can leave a lasting mark on history.
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