Western route: Dashkasan

Population of the district: 31,400; district center, the town of Dashkasan: 9,400.

DASHKASAN district is the center of mining in Azerbaijan and lies on the northeastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus. Temperature swings here can be large: in winter down to minus 20 degrees, which is generally unusual for Azerbaijan, and in summer it can reach 35 degrees above zero, like on Absheron, which lies in the semi-desert zone. Clean air, mountain summer pastures (yaylaqs) with alpine meadows and springs attract tourists and holidaymakers here.

On the territory of the villages of Khoshbulag, Zagali, Gurbulag, Amirvar, Bayan and Dardara, archaeologists have found the remains of ancient Stone Age settlements. Two old stone bridges over the GUSHGARA river and a mausoleum in the village of Ahmadli are historical and architectural monuments that have survived to this day. A monastery dating from 487 has survived in the village of Gushchu. In the village of Bayan you can see the ruins of a 15th-century Christian church.

THE TOWN OF DASHKASAN is the administrative center of the district. Distance from Baku: 397 km. The name of the town translates as "stonecutter": the region has long been famous for its stonemasons and skilled carvers of stone and wood. Among folk crafts, carpet weaving and knitting of jorabs (woolen socks) are practiced today.

Small restaurants here offer dishes of the national cuisine. In kababkhanas (kebab houses) you can not only taste delicious national dishes made from fresh meat, but also listen to folk music performed by ashugs (folk singer-improvisers).

Dashkasan honey is considered one of the best in the republic. Residents of the nearby city of Ganja like to come here, to the area around the village of Khoshbulag, for a holiday.