Kermanshah is often used simply as a base for Taq Bostan Grottoes, Bisotoun relief of Darius, the Great and for interesting side-trips West toward Iraq border.

This provincial capital was founded in 390 AD, by Bahram IV, Sassanian King and one time governor of Southern Kerman Province.

"Kermanshah" means "King of Kerman", but the general area was inhabited back to prehistoric times, and ongoing excavations North of the city are expected to reveal much about the people who settled here or passed through.

West, toward the border point of "Qasr Shirin", are some of the oldest known cliff-face bas-reliefs in Iran, 2000 BC, as well as traces of the great palace of Khosro, called by one ancient historian "one of the wonders of the world".

What is now "Kermanshah Province" is known as the site of 6th century Medean capital of Ecbatana and an area containing key stretch of Achaemenian Royal Road.

The city of Kermanshah does not seem to have played any vital role in the history of the region, though it must have been important stopping point.

The general area around is rich in archeological remains that date back 8500 BC and possibly earlier. There are caves in the area thought to have housed human being 35,000 years ago.

Bas-Relief of Royal Hunting Scene, Kermanshah