Na'in

Na'in (also known as Naein and Naeen) is a pre-Islamic town, more than 2,000 years old, on the edge of the Central Desert of Iran in the Isfahan province of Central Iran. It is known for extremely fine carpets.

Understand
Na’in lies 170 km north of Yazd and 140 km east of Isfahan and the population is about 75,000.

With an area of almost 35,000 km2, Na’in lies at an altitude of 1545 m above sea level. Like much of the Iranian plateau, it has a desert climate, with a maximum temperature of about 41°C in summer, and minimums of -9°C or so in winter.

More than 3,000 years ago the Persians learned how to construct aqueducts underground (qanat or kariz) to bring water from the mountains to the plains. In the 1960s this ancient system provided more than 70 per cent of the water used in Iran and Na’in is one of the best places in all the world to see these qanats working as they were intended.

Unique to Na’in are some of the most outstanding monuments in all of Iran: the Jame Mosque, one of the first four mosques built in Iran after the Arab invasion; the Pre-Islamic Narej Fortress; a Pirnia traditional house; the Old Bazaar; Rigareh, a qanat-based watermill; and a Zurkhaneh (a place for traditional sport).

Besides its magnificent monuments, Na’in is also famous for high-quality carpets and wool textiles.

Some linguists believe the word Na’in may have been derived from the name of one of the descendants of the prophet Noah, who was called "Naen". Many local people speak an ancient Pahlavi Sasani dialect, the same dialect that is spoken by the Zoroastrians in Yazd today. Other linguists state that the word Na’in is derived from the word "Nei" (“straw” in English) which is a marshy plant.

By bus
From Isfahan, travellers can use the Jay terminal and take the Na'in bus or mini bus (100,000 rials). An alternative is the Isfahan-Yazd bus, which leaves the terminal once every hour, if they inform the driver that Na'in is their final destination and the fare is 80,000 rials.

From Yazd, travellers can take the Yazd - Isfahan buses from Yazd terminal and ask the driver to stop in Na'in which costs 150,000 rials.

From Tehran, there are two terminals available: Jonub terminal, with buses leaving at 10:00 and 17:00; Beihaghi (Arjantin) Terminal, with one bus departing at 23:00. The ticket price is 260,000 rials.

In Na'in, there are regular buses to Isfahan departing on average every round hour, from the only in town. Private taxis are available 24 hours a day at the ("Falake Esfahan"). Departing the town to Yazd is possible by waiting for the buses to Yazd at the "Falake Esfahan" or by taking a taxi to the Yazd Road police station.

By train
While there is a railway station called Na'in, it is almost 40 km outside the city and sees very limited service.



Get around
The old town is quite small and walkable. For destinations like Mohammadieh neighbourhood or bus station there are plenty of taxis plying the streets, both rides cost 50,000 rials (as of 2017).

See




Mohammadieh village
Mohammadieh &mdash; village adjacent to Na'in in about 3 km east of it.

Do

 * Desert trekking and camping is one of the possibilities for sightseers in this desert town, since a desert with moving sand dunes surrounds Na'in. It's desert trekking on real moving sand dunes, since there are sand hills from 5 to 62 m high that are always moving when the wind blows - the highest sand dunes in Iran. Also sleeping (camping) on the moving sands and having dinner and breakfast there is possible through the local tour agents. There is no regular desert transport, so a private taxi or car should be rented.
 * Mountaineering: There are some desert-type mountains west and north east of Na'in. The one to the north east (as you see in the middle and lower photo) is worth a visit. There are some unpaved roads that lead there. A downhill bicycle is recommended, but use of a tour guide is advised. Also there is a walking tour called survival tour available in the mountainous area in distances of 5 km, 10 km and 15 km.
 * Cycling: Bicycle rentals are available through some of the tour agents.

Buy
There are a number of banks where one can exchange currency for the official rate; otherwise, use commercial exchange office with rates 10-15% higher than the official one.

A fine art of weaving carpets began in Na'in about the time of World War II. Because carpet weavers from Na'in worked with thinner wools, they began to weave rugs of much higher quality. Since the number of carpets produced was low and the quality of carpets was exceptionally high, the weavers found a profitable market. Carpet-weaving in Na'in has a history of using non-Iranian wools and of using local, traditional designs with unique colouring, thus drawing the attention of the world market. Na'in style carpet is woven in different places in Iran - but the quality will be very different in each place. One reason that carpet actually woven in Na'in is so popular, is that it uses predominantly natural and traditional colours rather than synthetic dyes. Other reasons include the sheer quality of the weft obtained from using mainly wooden looms. This all means that Na'in can easily claim that it is one of the best producers of hand woven carpets in all Iran. Woolen textiles are also available in Muhammadieh, where you can buy the handicrafts directly from the producers.

Eat
There are a bunch of fast food cafes (at least 8-9 of them) on the Imam Khomeini street between Jahangardi Hotel and Gholami Guest House. Jahangardi Hotel and Gole Narges Hotel have restaurants.

Drink
Doogh (دوغ) is a sour drink made from yoghurt, salt, and water; sometimes carbonated and sometimes flavoured with mint or other plants. It is an acquired taste but will rehydrate you quickly in the heat of Iran's summer. It is the same as Turkish ayran.

Sleep
Rooms at all four hotels can be booked in advance and at a discount, depending on the season.

Go next

 * Isfahan &mdash; former capital with stunning architecture, great bazaar, and tree-lined boulevards. Most popular tourist destination in the country. There's a Persian saying, "Isfahan is half the world."
 * Yazd &mdash; a remote desert city – circumstance influenced special architectural themes where water streams run in underground rooms in houses and wind-towers to keep them cool.