Qom
Overview
Qom is the second holiest city in Iran after Mashhad. Its main attraction is the impressive Holy Shrine where Fatima, Imam Reza's sister, is buried. It is worth spending a few hours there, but you don't need to stay overnight. It is an easy day trip from Tehran.
Sightseeing
You'll go to Qom to visit the Haram-e Masumeh, the Holy Shrine where Imam Reza's sister is buried. It is really impressive to see, actually. Go there in the afternoon and wait to be dark and see the shrine lit, simply beautiful.
To access the shrine complex, which is really big, there are different entrances. If they notice you are a foreigner, you have chances one of the Foreign Pilgrims officers will approach you and explain you all about the shrine. It is quite ok to listen to the explanations, but they will also tell you non-muslims are not allowed to enter the shrine and they will follow you everywhere you go. What you can do is tell them you are muslim or after explanations just tell them you are leaving. Then you are free to wander around and you can easily enter inside the shrine and see people touching it, throwing money and crying for Fatima. Really impressive and reccomendable everything. Also wander around the shrine complex, there are really nice squares and places.
Besides the shrine, there is an interesting bazaar outside it, selling the usual stuff but also plenty of religigious stuff, so you can get yourself a complete "perfect muslim kit", which consists of a rosary, a quran, a stone to pray (shiites use this stone to put their head against it) and a case for the stone. Then get a carpet and you have the whole kit.
To access the shrine complex, which is really big, there are different entrances. If they notice you are a foreigner, you have chances one of the Foreign Pilgrims officers will approach you and explain you all about the shrine. It is quite ok to listen to the explanations, but they will also tell you non-muslims are not allowed to enter the shrine and they will follow you everywhere you go. What you can do is tell them you are muslim or after explanations just tell them you are leaving. Then you are free to wander around and you can easily enter inside the shrine and see people touching it, throwing money and crying for Fatima. Really impressive and reccomendable everything. Also wander around the shrine complex, there are really nice squares and places.
Besides the shrine, there is an interesting bazaar outside it, selling the usual stuff but also plenty of religigious stuff, so you can get yourself a complete "perfect muslim kit", which consists of a rosary, a quran, a stone to pray (shiites use this stone to put their head against it) and a case for the stone. Then get a carpet and you have the whole kit.
Food & Drink
Being in Iran, you have the usual difficulties to eat, but here probably a bit more. At praying times everything is closed. At normal times you can find the usual kebab, pizza hamburger place to eat a little bit.
As to drinks, sodas and teas are the only options. There are also Iranian "beers", but are not really reccomendable, they are sold as a malt beverage but it has nothing to do with normal beer, and of course without alcohol.
As to drinks, sodas and teas are the only options. There are also Iranian "beers", but are not really reccomendable, they are sold as a malt beverage but it has nothing to do with normal beer, and of course without alcohol.
Transportation
Qom is easily reachable from Tehran South bus Terminal. You can just show up there and there are plenty of buses which in 2 hours will take you to Qom. From where the bus drops you in Qom, you'll need to take a taxi to the shrine.
On the way back, go to the same place where the bus dropped you and get on a bus back to Tehran for some 80000 rials or less.
On the way back, go to the same place where the bus dropped you and get on a bus back to Tehran for some 80000 rials or less.
Safety
The only annoyance is the Foreign Pilgrims Office inside the shrine. Try to avoid them, tell them you are muslim or you have been there before. Otherwise they will stay with you forever making sure you don't enter the shrine.
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