population: 0.53 million

extension: 16,098 square kilometers

Museums

Great, if you're in Zanjan and interested in museums, you could visit the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Museum, which is a historical house-museum showcasing traditional Iranian architecture and lifestyle. Another museum you could visit is the Saltmen Museum, which displays some of the world's oldest mummies, dating back to the Achaemenid era. If you're looking for similar places nearby, you could also check out the Zolfaghari Museum or the Abidar Museum, both located in Zanjan.

Food

Sure, Zanjan is known for its delicious local cuisine. Here are some of the most recommended, popular and typical dishes to eat according to local people:

1. Kale Pache: This is a traditional breakfast dish made from boiled sheep's head and feet, served with bread and a variety of herbs.

2. Kufteh Tabrizi: A meatball dish made with ground beef or lamb, rice, yellow split peas, herbs, and spices. It's usually served with a tomato-based sauce.

3. Baghali Polo: A dish made with rice, fava beans, and dill, often served with lamb shank or chicken.

4. Mirza Ghasemi: A vegetarian dish made with smoked eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and eggs. It's usually served with bread.

5. Soltani Kabab: Grilled meat skewers, usually consisting of one skewer of marinated beef fillet and another of minced lamb or beef.

6. Gheymeh: A stew made with diced beef, yellow split peas, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices.

7. Ash Reshteh: A hearty soup made with noodles, beans, lentils, herbs, and sometimes meat. It's typically served with fried onions and dried mint on top.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can try in Zanjan. Enjoy your culinary adventures!

Activities

Certainly! In Zanjan, some fun activities that locals enjoy include:

1. Visiting the traditional bazaar of Zanjan, which is one of the largest and oldest bazaars in Iran, to shop for souvenirs, spices, and handicrafts.

2. Exploring the historic Soltaniyeh Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest brick domes in the world.

3. Taking a stroll in the beautiful gardens of the city's Jameh Mosque or the Abhar Waterfall Park.

4. Trying out local dishes such as "Abgoosht" (a type of stew) or "Gheyme" (a type of curry) at one of the many traditional restaurants in town.

5. Enjoying some tea and sweets at a traditional teahouse like "Chaikhaneh" or "Ghalyan Khaneh".