Urmia hot spring attracts tourists looking to ward off winter chill

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A natural hot spring in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province is attracting tourists keen to escape cold winter temperatures in its warm water.

The air temperature is below zero, but the water is above 30 degrees Celsius.

“I visit this place five to six times a month. A lot of people visit here.
It’s a nice place,” Masoud Rahimnia told Rudaw.

The pool used to be known only to local people, but it has gained wider popularity in recent years and is now a popular tourist destination.

Loqman Shahabi is a tour guide.

“It is a truly wonderful place with a very pleasant atmosphere. People have come from all over Iran - from Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, Kermanshah, from everywhere,” he said.

“It really has a fantastic atmosphere where even in sub-zero temperatures, when there's remarkably cold weather and it's snowing, people can enjoy swimming in the warm water. Friends are coming here and thoroughly enjoying themselves,” he added.