Tropical palm trees and sandy beaches are the first things you think of when you hear the word Island, yet Qeshm Island is not like any Island you have seen before or even other Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf such as Kish or Dargahan . It is more like a strange and mythological world. Traveling to Qeshm may look like a travel to an earlier geology era! The eroded mountains and cliffs on both sides of the road are spectacular statues carved by hands of mother nature. The Persian Gulf 's indigo water shines under the golden sunlight and reveals one of the most beautiful scenes.
Portuguese Castle
This castle is the legacy of Portuguese invasion of Persian Gulf. As you walk into the castle, on one hand, the reddish sunshine concealing behind the palm trees, and , stepping into the castle, where foreigners have been dominating the Strait of Hormuz for over a century,on the other hand gives you a strange feeling. This square-shaped castle, built by the Portuguese inspired by the Sassanid castles were mostly used as ammunition depot, Some of the catapults and cannonballs that were once stationed on castle towers still remain in the castle.These uninvited guests were defeated by “Imam Gholi” the brave governor of Fars province in the Safavid era.

Namakdan Salt Caves
In the highest part of the Qeshm island, the coastal road leads to the Namakdan salt caves, whit a captivating view.Moving toward the cave, the color of the earth turns golden as if the surface of the earth were covered with thousands of fine, bright diamonds.The salt caves of Qeshm Island are composed of flows that move on the bed of the mountains, dissolving the salt in the path and which gives it a look of a plain sunken under snow. In a closer look, crystals of salt, each having a different shape and the countless salt candles that sometimes reach the cave surface, have formed the world's longest salt cave.

Mangrove forests of Qeshm
Mangrove forests, known locally as "harra", are amazing forests that rise from the Persian Gulf waters and home to a variety of birds, amphibians and aquatic animals. to see the forest you must also experience sailing on the Persian Gulf to see the forest , in the Persian Gulf. The pleasant sound in atmosphere in there comes from the birdcall in the jungle. The sea tide gives the mangrove forests a different look every hour. At high tides, the mangroves are submerged. They waver under the water, some with branches still floating on the surface.

Statues Valley in Qeshm
It is difficult to accept that these statues are merely natural. It seems that the sculptress has been busy making and forming rocks for many years. The surface of the statue, created by million years of erosion, is covered with bivalve mollusk fossils, this is why some call this place the fossils valley.

skills of building Iranian Lenj sailing boats
Our next destination is a workshop where they make the world's largest handicraft; Lenj is smaller than a ship and a bit larger than sailing boats which is used for cargo and passenger transportation. it is interesting that each Lenj is unique because no plan is used to build it. Building a Lenj is a work of art,derived from the teachings passed down from generation to generation. The village of Guran on the Persian Gulf coastline is one of the few villages that still has workshops to build traditional Lenj boats.
Due to the high cost of manufacturing, the use of fiberglass is on the rise and common, which are great in beauty, durability and quality, also very similar to wooden Lenj. Lenj is made of tree trunks such as teak, horn beam , and Jujube, the exterior part or body of Lenj is red because of using shark oil that prevents moisture and damp penetration. Construction of each Lenj with five to six builders takes about two and a half to three years to complete and a special local ceremony accompanied by traditional music will be held with the presence of elders and locals .

Chahkooh
The adventure between the natural phenomena of Qeshm continues, and this time it culminates with a visit to the Chahkooh Strait. Chahkooh is located next to the eastern Chahoo village with one of the most extraordinary natural attractions.At the bottom of the valley several wells were dug, these ancient wells were used to collect rainwater. at the time of the Portuguese invasion locals were using the caves in this valley In order to prevent the invaders from stealing their chattels.

Port of Laft
Laft is a historic port in Qeshm that has played a pivotal role in the island for a long time and once the whole Qeshm Island was called Loft Island. Scenic harmony of Khaki houses with high windcatchers, green palm trees, single minaret mosques, infinite indigo sea, reddish sunset over the floating boats in the water and mangrove forests. The unique combination of desert architecture and vibrant South Coast colors will captivate every tourist who set foot on this Island.

Valley of Stars, also known as Stars Valley
There are many local beliefs regarding the presence of Ghosts in this Valley some even have heard their voices during the night which may be due to the unusual geological forms and shadows of bodies and wind blowing into the Valley. Walking through the winding corridors and labyrinths of the Stars valley is very strange and mysterious, even in the daytime, especially when the sun reaches the edge of the statues. Passing through the labyrinths of the valley amidst the enormous and marvelous statues, the glow of stars, the eerie silence of night, and the gigantic stone walls beneath the moonlit sky will give you the feeling of walking into a space other than the earth.