Iranian cuisine comprises the cooking traditions of Iran. The term Persian cuisine is also used, even though the Persians are only one of Iran's native ethnic groups that have contributed to the culinary culture.

Wonderful place you should go in Iran:

1-Ali Qapu, Isfahan

Located on the western edge of Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan square, this six-story palace's name means "grand doorway." Built during the 16th- to 17th-century reign of Shah Abbas I, it includes a red-colored "music hall," named for the tuneful echoes of its jar-shaped wall decorations. "The unique and gloriously repetitive stucco ornaments and special architectural style left me no choice but to stare at the ceiling and try to photograph it as best as I can," says Ganji. "I stood exactly in the middle of the music hall and took the photo from above my head with a wide-angle lens."

2-Arg-e Karim Khan, Shiraz

The 18th-century Karim Khan citadel stands in the center of Shiraz. Inside there are residential quarters, baths and a courtyard filled with citrus trees. Outside, Persian-style crenelated walls are decorated with beautiful paintings and miniatures. "The unique architecture, lighting and patterns presented in the Iranian baths catches the eye at first glance," says Ganji.

3-Borj-e Azadi, Tehran

Built in 1971, the Azadi tower became an icon of Iran's capital city, Tehran, and remained so even after the city's vast Milad tower was built in 2009. It was created by architect Hossein Amanat under direction from Iran's last queen, Farah Pahlavi, to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. "I like this tower for its unique architecture," says Ganji. "I've always tried to choose subjects that are symbolic, so that I may project their greatness through photography and the Azadi Tower is a perfect example. "In this instance I used a fisheye lens to give the tower a unique effect. The presence of the clouds also helped."

4- Boroujerdi-ha House, Kashan

This 19th-century carpet merchant's house in Kashan today serves as the base of the city's Cultural Heritage Organization. "The house has aesthetic significance because of the molded ornaments and paintings created by distinguished 19th-century painter Kamal-ol-Molk," adds Ganji.

5- Bagh-e Dolat Abad, Yazd

The 18th-century Dolat Abad garden follows a classic Iranian design, divided into two sections. The outer part includes gardens and beautiful spaces that can be seen from the entrance. The inner portion represents the Iranian architectural concept of family privacy. This building has a distinctive windcatcher -- a roof tower used for ventilation and natural air conditioning in desert areas. "The applied symmetrical molding ornaments and colorful glasses in this edifice are exceptional," Ganji says. "But what really grabbed my attention was the windcatcher. There's a pool in the middle of the building and when wind flows over it, the water evaporates and cools the environment."

6- Emarat-e Badgir, Tehran

This building stands in Tehran's 19th-century Golestan Palace complex and was the location for the 1896 coronation of the Qajar dynasty Persian ruler Mozaffar-ad-Din Shah Qajar. "The exclusive ornaments of this building, such as the glasses, the mirrors, and tall columns are of exceptional beauty," says Ganji.

7- Jameh Mosque, Yazd

This mosque is said to belong to the 15th- to 16th-century Timurid era because of its inscriptions and architectural style, but the main building could be centuries older. Some believe it's built on an ancient fire temple. "When I entered the mosque I was amazed by the fantastic artwork in its ceiling," says Ganji. "It got my attention and when I saw that view, I wanted to photograph it. "The dome of the mosque has amazing arabesque patterns and four skylights that show geometric shapes beautifully. "Quran verses written all around the dome add to its glory and beauty."

8- Niavaran Palace, Tehran

In the decade before the Islamic revolution, this palace served as a residential home for the shah's family and was where they met foreign guests. The complex was originally built in the Qajar era, but the main palace was built under orders from Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Iran's last shah.

9- Vakil Bath, Shiraz

This 18th-century Zand dynasty building, decorated within by paintings of Persian mythology, was used for bathing but also served as a social hub. People would gather around its howz, the centrally positioned symmetrical pool. "The amazing symmetry of the architecture and its limestone embellishments make this bath one of a kind," says Ganji. "To capture this stretched panorama, I needed permits to allow me to stand in the middle of the deep bath."