"Despite Israel's heavy attacks on Iran, a lone female traveler managed to navigate her escape"
In a tale of adventure and caution, Ariel Kang Chengxuan, a 24-year-old Taiwanese traveler, found herself in the heart of Iran during a period of escalating tensions. As Iran's airspace partially reopened following an Israeli airstrike, Kang embarked on a 104-hour journey to safety.
Kang had initially arrived in Isfahan, a city teeming with UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Masjed-e Jāmé, the oldest preserved edifice of its type in Iran. Life in Isfahan continued as usual, with shops and supermarkets open, though there were fewer people out on the streets and less traffic. However, Kang's experience was far from ordinary.
During her stay, Kang was asked to put on a headscarf during a police security check on her way to Tehran. She also heard gunfire and a lady screaming at a bus stop, a stark reminder of the underlying tension. Despite these incidents, Kang was impressed by the unique Persian blue color used in the mosques of Isfahan and enjoyed interactions with locals who showed her phrases like "you are my guest" on their phone's translation apps.
On June 13, Kang learned about the airstrikes through online messages from concerned friends. The news weighed heavily on her, and she cancelled her plans to travel to northern Iran, choosing instead to stay home and play card games and cook with her host family. The following day, they watched the scene of the missile attack on TV.
As the situation escalated, the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) raised its travel advisory for Iran to Level 4 (red), urging Taiwanese nationals to leave Iran as soon as possible due to heightened tensions and military conflicts in the region. Although Iran's airspace has partially reopened, commercial travel remains disrupted, and alternative land routes are recommended for those seeking to leave. Taiwanese citizens in Iran can contact the Taiwan Commercial Office in Dubai for assistance.
Kang's journey from Tehran to Tabriz took around 15 hours due to congested traffic. Despite the challenges, Kang considers Iran as one of her five top countries, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring allure of travel, even in the face of adversity.
The US State Department advises against travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, or arbitrary arrest. Taiwanese travelers are strongly advised to avoid travel to Iran during periods of military conflict and to prioritize their safety by leaving the country as soon as possible through available means.
- Amidst the escalating tension, Ariel Kang's lifestyle in Iran was far from ordinary, as she encountered police checks requiring the wearing of a headscarf and experienced gunfire and disturbing incidents like a lady screaming at a bus stop.
- The travel advisory issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) urged Taiwanese nationals like Ariel Kang to prioritize their safety, recommending alternatives to commercial travel due to the disrupted airspace and heightened military conflicts in the region.
- Despite the challenges and the US State Department's travel advisory, Ariel Kang places Iran among her five top countries, proving that the allure of travel persists, even in the face of adversity and war-and-conflicts, and politics continue to influence international travel decisions.
