Khonj Seasonal Lake

Khonj Seasonal Lake, also known as Kafeh Khonj Lake, lies in a vast plain near the town of Khonj in Fars Province. In the local dialect, the word "kafeh" means a flat plain with no slope, so an area where a large amount of water collects is called a kafeh. Kafeh Khonj is a catchment basin where a great deal of water gathers during the monsoon rains, taking on the appearance of a lake or marsh.

According to historical documents, this plain was known as "Kafeh Haj Ayaz Khan". The name is said to come from a flock of white sheep (specially bred sheep that were entirely white) belonging to Haj Ayaz Khan Qashqai, which got stuck in the mud during a spring downpour. This historical incident led to the area becoming known by that name, and it was recorded in local history. The town of Khonj is located in a vast plain, 101 kilometres west of Lar and 265 kilometres south of Shiraz. The Kuliteh mountains lie to its north and Mount Mohneh (Miyaneh) to its south, standing parallel to each other like a natural barrier. The Kafeh Khonj seasonal lake extends east to west in this area, and is about 18 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide.

The palm trees, a symbol of hot-climate towns, give the lake a striking and unusual look. In spring, after heavy spring rains over a short period, the lake fills with water and you can watch waves rolling across it. Having a lake like this in the midst of a very hot desert is a great blessing and full of wonder, and it has drawn crowds of tourists to Khonj. The contrast of the blue water with the green of the sky-high palms creates a truly artistic picture.