Iranians Visit Beautiful Tulip Fields, Ignoring Social Distancing Guidance

The coronavirus outbreak continues to be a serious matter in Iran, and the situation in most provincial centers such as Tehran and Karaj remains “red” — meaning a critical or emergency situation. However, some businesses have begun to reopen, although others, including coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and most tourist attractions, remain closed. 

But one new tourist attraction, Lezur Farm, a tulip field in Kondor village near Karaj, has been welcoming hundreds of visitors traveling by car to the area from Karaj, Tehran, and other surrounding cities every day — in direct contradiction of current public health guidelines.

The tulip field, which is also known as "Iran's Tulip Capital,” sits in ​a ​3.5 hectare-plot and was set up by a nature lover and entrepreneur by the name of Alireza Mostafa with a capital of about 7 billion tomans [$467,000]. Mostafa sensed the tourist complex would be a good investment and would benefit from the region’s pleasant climate and charming setting, and the initiative was supported by village officials, though not necessarily with direct funding. 

Two years into the project, visitors can now see tulips flourish in the early days of spring. Recently, Mostafa has appeared to be dismissive of and careless about restrictions enforced because of the coronavirus pandemic. He has been promoting the tourist attraction through social media, encouraging people to visit the tulip fields and stressing that the flowers, one of Iranians' favorites, will not be in their prime for long. The tulips are normally at their most beautiful from mid-March to mid-May, and can last as long as mid-June, he has reminded potential visitors. 

Advertisements for the complex emphasize that it is complying with the government’s rules regarding public health, including social distancing guidelines. A limited number of tourists are admitted daily for two hours and 15 minutes per group. However, when a visitor arrives, there are no visible notices informing tourists of the best way to ensure their health and safety and protect themselves, and there is no information provided about restrictions. Tourists' cars arrive and no one appears to care about staying longer than the set time. The only people who stop the cars are those who take the entrance fee of 20,000 tumans [US$1.30] as people arrive, and who then issue guests with an entry ticket.

Despite the lack of signage, upon entering the village of Kondor and on the way to Lezur Farm, tourists are handed out leaflets that outline the rules they must observe. For example, tourists have to wear masks and observe social distancing. Yet, when one enters the area, there is rarely anyone wearing a mask or social distancing. Everyone is more interested in taking souvenir photos and enjoying the beautiful tulips.

Lezur Farm is split into sections: there is the tulip field, 20,000 square meters of flowers packed tightly together, and another 15,000 square-meter field where flowers appear alongside three types of onions that will be ready for harvesting at different times. Another area has an eco-tourism feel, featuring traditional rural cottages built from adobe and cob.

Finally, the complex has an array of small, local bazaars selling traditional products, including herbal infusions, plums and other goods — providing a well-needed income for locals. 

More than 2.1 million tulips of 30 different categories and colors greet the tourists visiting the complex. The beauty of the flowers and plants, as well as the charming buildings and bazaar, offer people a chance to forget about the coronavirus crisis and its danger and destruction for a few hours.

After visitors pass the bazaar, they are back at the parking lot again, where increasing numbers of cars continue to arrive. Many people would perhaps prefer to delay their departure. But as the weather gets warmer and they remember it's Ramadan and that they won't be able to eat or drink until the evening, they get in their cars and make the trip back to the city.