Gonbad-e Qabus, or Gombad-é Kavus, depending on how you translate it from Arabic, is often simply referred to as Gombad. The town's main attraction is the 61 m (200 ft) high tomb tower that was built by Ziyarid ruler Ghabus in 1006.

Ghabus ruled the area at the turn of the 11th century and he wanted to build a monument so he would be remembered forever. Ghabus was assassinated in 1012, but his tower still stands today. It can be seen from up to 30 km (19 mi) away.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in town. Minibuses and buses connect Gombad with Gorgan and Tehran. Gombad is 380 km northeast of Tehran (Teheran). The tower has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2012.