Iran's Golden City

TOP OF THE SHOPS: Browsing the stalls in Isfahan's bazaar

The great joy of traveling to Iran doesn't lie just in the country's ancient sites, snowy peaks or lively cities, but in the warmth and generosity of the people. Though Tehran may be the country's cosmopolitan capital, if you want a sense of Iran's human soul, head to the city of Isfahan at the foot of the Zagros Mountains. Home to some of the Islamic world's finest architecture, Isfahan is a living, breathing work of art — and a must for first-time visitors to the country.

The city's star attraction is Imam Square. One of the...

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