Nishapur (also Neyshābūr, Persian: نیشابور) is an ancient city in Khorasan near Mashad.

Understand

At its peak in the 12th and early 13 centuries, Nishapur was estimated to have a population of nearly 2 million and was one of the largest cities in the world. Nishapur had a thriving arts, pottery and carpet weaving industry. The city however, was flattened and its inhabitants slaughtered by the Mongols in 1221.

Get in

By train

There are train routes from Tehran and Mashad.

By minibuses

Several minibuses leave from Mashad to Nishapur every day.

See

• Mausoleum of Attar Neyshaburi. The colorful, onion-shaped dome and garden marks the burial site of the influential 12th century Persian poet. (updated Jun 2018)

1 Tomb of Omar Khayyam. You can see a monument, a bust, and a little museum. The museum, however, shows a few arbitrary items not connected to Omar Khayyam, and displays some text from Wikipedia (including the "clarification needed" tag). 150,000 Rials (foreigner price). (updated Jan 2016)

2 Imamzade Mahruq. Right next to Omar Khayyam's tomb, this Imamzade actually contains two tombs, Mahruq's tomb is deeper into the complex. free. (updated Jan 2016)

3 Tomb of Farid ad-Din Attar. Tomb and mausoleum for the important sufi poet Farid ad-Din Attar. Also here: the tomb of the important painter Kamal al-Molk. 150,000 Rials (foreigner price). (updated Jan 2016)

• Shadiyakh excavations
• Mazare Shahmir
• Caravanserai

Buy

Neyshabur Turquoise has been used for more than 2000 years and for this turquoise it is sometimes called "the turquoise land". Neyshabur turquoise and jewellery made from it are sold as souvenirs in Neyshabur and Mashhad resorts.

Rhubarb (Persian rivaas or rivand), a sour vegetable, grows at the foot of the eponymous Rivand Mountains . Soft drinks made from the stems of the plant, such as "Sharbate rivaas" and "Khoshaabe rivaas" , are sold at some Nishapur resorts as souvenirs.

Go next

Firoze, Hemmatabad, Some, Emam Reza Town, Ghadamgah, Darrod, Sabzevar, Eshqabad