Saran Village

Saran is a village in Bostanabad County, East Azerbaijan Province, located in South Mehranrud Rural District of the county's Central District. The village is built on a steep mountainside in a hilly, mountainous area, and has about 50 households and a population of nearly 333. Saran's natural setting near the slopes of Sahand and its water resources have shaped much of its environment. One of the village's most important springs is the Kahriz Spring, which flows in every season of the year. The Boyuk Chay River ("the Big River"), which rises on the slopes of Mount Sahand, also flows near the village. As in many villages of the region, Saran's economy rests on farming, livestock raising, orchard cultivation and poultry farming, and it produces crops such as potatoes, carrots, lentils, chickpeas and wheat.

Saran's main attraction is its mountain scenery and unspoiled rock formations, together with the village's hand-carved caves, a complex that is among the lesser-known tourism assets of the region. Because of their distinctive shape, the rocks and hand-carved caves of Saran have been compared by some people to the historic rock-cut complex of Kandovan, and this gives the village a distinctive landscape. According to available information, objects estimated to be about three thousand years old have also been found in the village cemetery, which adds to Saran's historical importance. Because the area has remained relatively unspoiled and the village's newer built-up area lies elsewhere, the rocks and caves have stayed largely untouched. Together with the Kahriz Spring, the Boyuk Chay River, the mountains and the natural scenery, these features make Saran a good destination for nature lovers and rural tourism.

To reach Saran, take the old Tabriz–Bostanabad road, and after passing the Qori Gol area, continue through the village of Akinabad toward Saran. The village can also be reached from the Bostanabad side by driving from Bostanabad toward Saran. Since the area is mountainous, spring and summer are good times to visit, especially when the springs and natural landscapes are at their best. When visiting Saran, responsible nature tourism is especially important: visitors should avoid damaging the rocks and hand-carved caves, removing historical objects, destroying vegetation or polluting water sources, and should respect the villagers' privacy when passing through farmland and areas that belong to local residents. Also, because of the natural and hand-carved caves and rocks, it is not advisable to enter unfamiliar or unstable sections without proper equipment and a guide who knows the area.