Tucked above Mashhad’s bustle, Kouhshar Park drops 190 metres of cascading water and gives city visitors a cinematic, nature-filled escape they’re posting about nonstop
The Kouhshar waterfall in Mashhad, at a height of 190 metres, holds the title of Iran’s largest artificial waterfall. The park is built on the city’s southern slopes and, while preserving the natural character of the area, provides a suitable space for walking, recreation and enjoying nature. If you plan to visit Kouhshar Park and see Iran’s largest artificial waterfall, continue reading with Alibaba Travel magazine.
The Kouhshar recreational complex is in District 8 of Mashhad Municipality, located off a side street of Namaz Boulevard, between the Shahda-ye Artesh Boulevard intersection and the Koushesh intersection. This location makes access to the Kouhshar recreational complex easy for Mashhad’s residents and pilgrims.
Whether you travel by private car or use public transport, clear and simple routes will take you to this green haven.
Kouhshar location on Google Maps
There are several routes to Kouhshar Park depending on your starting point. If you are driving, head to Kalantari Highway from any part of the city, then enter Hafez Street and continue on to Namaz Boulevard.
The Kouhshar recreational complex is located on the left side of this boulevard and has two designated entrances: one for vehicles marked by orange bollards and a second paved pathway intended for pedestrians wanting to enjoy a nature walk.
If you prefer public transport, take a shared taxi or buses from Enghelab Terminal that go toward Namaz Boulevard; you’ll be brought close to the complex and a short walk will deliver you to the park. This route is both economical and gives you a taste of city life.
Also, Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport is about 11 kilometres away (around a 20-minute drive), Mashhad Railway Station is about 11 kilometres away (roughly a 30-minute drive), and Imam Reza Passenger Terminal is less than 5 kilometres away (about a 15-minute taxi ride) from the park.
Kouhshar lies 7.8 kilometres from the holy shrine of Imam Reza. With its lush, attractive environment, it has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations for Mashhad’s residents and visitors; the drive takes about 20 minutes.
The distance from Kouhshar to the Almas Sharq shopping center is about 18 kilometres, which takes roughly half an hour by car.
If you plan to visit Kouhshar Park during your Mashhad trip, remember that choosing the right time to visit will greatly enhance your experience. Kouhshar shows a different face in every season.
Spring, with mild weather and verdant nature, is the best season for visiting Kouhshar. Late summer and early autumn, with more pleasant temperatures, also offer good opportunities for a park stroll. Summer nights, cooled by mountain breezes and with the waterfall’s lighting, create a magical atmosphere you shouldn’t miss.
Ultimately, every season has its own charm in Kouhshar, but undoubtedly spring and summer nights offer a rare combination of calm and gentleness.
Kouhshar Park has several distinct sections, each with its own mood. The complex includes a waterfall, lakes, water channels, a river, bridges and green spaces. Below you’ll find an introduction to each area and the feelings they evoke.
At the end of the Kouhshar path, after passing steps and delightful views, you arrive at a majestic 190-metre waterfall — the tallest artificial waterfall in Iran. Water rushes down the rocky face from the hilltop, producing a soothing, almost magical sound. Standing before this waterfall fills you with awe and calm.
Kouhshar has two beautiful ponds. One pond, covering 800 square metres, sits above a 3,500-cubic-metre reservoir, and the main pond, 4,200 square metres in extent, lies to the right of the park where the water channels flow into it. The pond is built on two levels (a 2.5-metre difference) to suit the slope of the land, and wooden benches surround it for rest.
Two water channels longer than 250 metres carry water from the waterfall to the ponds, creating a spectacular scene. One is designed to look natural, as if bursting from the heart of the mountain, while the other is terraced and creates an orderly, eye-pleasing landscape.
A 300-metre-long by 4.5-metre-wide watercourse runs like a small river through the park. Stones placed along its bed create a pleasant sound as water flows over them.
Wooden bridges spanning the ponds and walkways are not just crossing points — they are visually charming. Walking across them while watching the water beneath you, the cool breeze gently refreshes your face.
The edges of the walking routes are planted with colorful flowers, shrubs and bushes suited to Mashhad’s climate. This greenery adds life and color to the complex and with every step strengthens your sense of vitality and connection to nature.
Kouhshar provides a comfortable, enjoyable visit with a range of facilities. Below is a look at those amenities.
Kouhshar has two entrance routes. The first is a driveable street marked with orange bollards that turns into a promenade suitable for visitors arriving by car. The second is a paved, stepped path.
From the moment you enter, a black stone map directs you to the park’s areas such as the waterfall, ponds, parking and prayer room. Wayfinding signs throughout the park help prevent getting lost or taking the wrong path.
Some parts of Kouhshar, particularly around the waterfall, include many steps. For this reason, benches are placed along the route so visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery. In higher areas wooden planks rest on stonework, and near the first pond benches are arranged in a circular formation around trees.
Café Baik — a small yellow kiosk tucked into Kouhshar — is a place where you can enjoy hot tea or a light snack.
Kouhshar has both outer and inner parking areas. If you enjoy walking and nature, use the outer parking and take the scenic route on foot. Alternatively, you can drive in; follow the black stone map from the fork to the right and reach the larger internal parking area.
The prayer room is on the right side of the complex, between the first pond and the second restroom, and offers space for worship.
The park has two restrooms: one near the entrance and security, and another near the prayer room.
Security at the entrance helps ensure the complex’s safety, and the management office, housed in two small and large containers slightly ahead of the security post, is ready to respond to visitor needs.
If you begin your Mashhad explorations from Kouhshar Park, don’t forget to visit nearby attractions. Below are notable places close to Kouhshar.
About three kilometres from Kouhshar, the Atlas Grand Bazaar has eleven floors and more than 1,200 commercial units. Crystal and glassware are sold on level A and fine carpets on level D.
Its large food court with 16 cafés and restaurants, a cinema with VIP halls, and a children’s play area make it a place where you can spend an entire day.
Six kilometres from Kouhshar you will find Malek House — a treasury of Qajar-era architecture that once belonged to Haj Hossein Malek, a major Mashhad philanthropist. The house, with its intricate brickwork, wooden windows and a large courtyard pool, transports you to a past full of authenticity.
Inside are plasterwork chimneys and artworks such as wood inlay and turquoise embellishments. The house also contains a historic underground bath.
About eight kilometres away, Naderi Garden takes you back to the era of Nader Shah Afshar, one of Iran’s most powerful rulers. This 14,400-square-metre complex includes a large bronze statue of Nader on horseback and a museum full of historic weapons that evoke the grandeur of the Afsharid period.
Dressing in period costumes and photographing in this space gives a sense of time travel.
Six kilometres from Kouhshar, Koohsangi Park, with its twin rocky hills and extraordinary views, awaits. A site of historic significance since the Safavid era, the park today comprises seven connected gardens, a lake, a waterfall and terraced paths — one of Mashhad’s most beloved recreational spots.
The Greater Khorasan Museum with archaeological artifacts and the Charsoogh Handicraft Bazaar add a cultural layer to this landscape.
To enjoy your time at Kouhshar Park, follow these simple recommendations:
The paved and stepped paths require comfortable, sturdy shoes.
Although there is a kiosk in the complex, carry a water bottle and light snacks for longer walks.
Kouhshar is cooler and quieter in the morning, while the waterfall’s lighting in the evening and at night creates a distinct and beautiful atmosphere.
Visiting Kouhshar is free of charge — the complex is open 24 hours a day to the public.
