13 most beautiful pictures of Duhok city in Iraq

This collection of 13 beautiful pictures of duhok city taken by me in 2009 from my trip to duhok city you can see green is controlling everything in duhok and the people are living freely and with great space of peace and green. Through the trip I didn't see single concrete barrier in the streets or any "army men" in the streets but the traffic man; in duhok there is a lot to see and to explore especially in the mountains of duhok and in the north of the city where one of the most beautiful areas I have been visited , the summer resorts in north of duhok city consider as the most peaceful and full of green where man hand didn't destroy the nature life there. I will leave you with the pictures of Duhok :

in the park of Mazi super market

this picture taken by me in Zawita resort

(at the beginning of the trip)

houses on the mountain in north of duhok city

mountain

the road is passing between two mountains

streets of duhoks with flowers

half of duhok city seen over the mountains where people build there houses on sides of the mountains as the city grows

here in Dream city in Duhok (people hanging over in the air)

wide areas of green in Dream city in Duhok city

green also

bear statue in Dream city in Duhok

in the gardens of Dream city in Duhok where a TV show was recording with group of kids

List of summer resorts in Duhok city:

1. ZAWITA : 17 kms. Away from Duhok, 90 kms from Mosul, 885 meters above sea level, with a maximum temperature of 38 C. Zawita is distinguished for its pine-forests; its extensive shady spots make it particularly attractive in the summer. Its afforesting probably goes back to Assyrian times. Its name is Aramaic, meaning “corner”. Somewhere nearby is a wide clef in the mountain called Gully Zawita. There is a well-furnished rest house in Zawita.
2. 
   
   SUARA TUGA : 22 kms from Zawita, 112 kms from Mosul, 1507 meters above sea level, with maximum temperature of 33 C., it is one of the best-situated summer resorts in the North. It overlooks a deep valley, with higher mountains on either side which seem to give the place a perfect climate, as good as that of any summer resort in the world, with poplars, cypress trees and a variety of summer fruit-trees. There is a large up-to-date hotel, together with modern casino, in the middle of gardens which give on to two plains, Bamarny and Suara Tuga, between which rises the Suara Tuga chain of mountains. There are also a number of tourist cabins of different sizes, all well furnished.
3. 
   
   ASHAWA : Just about 5 kms before you get to Sarsang you will come across Ashawa, a lovely summer resort famed for its waterfall. There is a beautiful restaurant, together with some local shops.
4. SARSANG : Upon leaving Suara Tuga the road descends east until, a few kilometers away, it hits Bamarny, then Sikreen, famed for its water and vineyards. Some distance away is Sarsang (126 kms. From Mosul), one of the most appealing summer resorts in Iraq. It rises 1,046 meters above sea level, with maximum temperature of 34 C. A lovely climate, cold water cascading from mountain springs, forests of cypress trees and poplars, a diversity of fruit trees in endless orchards, await the visitor to Sarsang, where there are several hotels, chalets, casinos and a night club. Throughout the area there are restaurants, super markets, playgrounds for children an open air cinema, a roving theatre, let alone the popular cafes and consumer shops, post office and a bank.
5. 
   
   ANSHKI : On the way to Amadiya, 15 kms. From Sarsang, you will find Anashki in a lovely spot overlooking the plains of Sarsang. Anashki is noted for its cool climate and tumbling waterfalls, which run through the casinos and eating places of the village.
6. 
   
   ARADEN : Close to Anashki. This resort has a healthy climate, plentiful waters, and beautiful nature, all at a height of 1400 meters above sea level, 144 kms. Away from Mosul.
7. 
   
   SULAF : In a beautiful valley in the mountains, 5 kms. Before Amadiya, is Sulaf. 115o meters above sea level, with gorgeous waterfalls, one of which cascades from a height of 25 meters. Sulfa is noted for its plentiful fruit trees and large number of its natural caves- notably Al-safa cave, heavily shaded by walnut trees.
There are a number of privately owned restaurants and hotels
8. 
   
   AMADIYA ANTIQUE CASTLE : Perched on top of a mountain 1400 meters above sea level, this impregnable castle played a prominent role in the ancient history of Iraq. It is elliptical in shape, founded on a large rock, which is in one piece, surrounded by mountaintops. It has two gates, Zebar gate- leading to Zebar region and Mosul gate- leading to Mosul. On the latter gate images are graved portraying warriors with spears,
   swords and shields; under their feet is a
   great snake, which unwinds itself all the way up the gate’s arch. The castle was called after Imaduddin Zangi, who built it in 537 Hijra. It is about 90 kms away from the governorate center, and the road to it is asphalted and in good condition.
   

the additional infos about Iraqi summer resorts is from http://www.iraqwho.com/