Tourism in Oman

Musandam Peninsula and Oman are separated by the United Arab Emirates. It is the easiest way to enter this area by domestic flight, which takes about one hour, although it can also be reached by road.

To the north of Musandam Peninsula is the Strait of Hormuz, which is the key point for ships to sail into the Persian Gulf. In the past, it used to be a military restricted area. Except for a few garrisons, it was all open for sightseeing. Musandam Peninsula was caused by crustal uplift movement 100 to 2 million years ago. The rocks on the peninsula are mainly limestone, and the terrain is magnificent like the fjords of Nordic countries. Hasab, the largest city on the peninsula, is also the seat of the airport. Iranians can be seen selling or exchanging all kinds of daily necessities near the port, and food and various materials from neighboring countries are also sold in the market. Visitors can take a sloop or boat to visit the scenery of the fjord, where the seabed is covered with coral and there are some shipwrecks.

Ahlas Tucker

Tucker, Ahlas is about 2 hours' drive east of Muscat. Oman has the most famous hot springs, which are natural spewing hot springs. The spewing outlet is located next to a mosque, and the water temperature is about 45 degrees Celsius. It is said to be effective for rheumatism, arthritis and dermatosis. In the evening, women living in nearby villages can be seen chatting with each other at the exit of Wenquanyong to get drinking water. Not far from the Chongyong exit, the 12 public bathroom has been built for worshippers and tourists to wash their hands and feet, and there is a special hot spring ditch to introduce hot springs into the village for washing and irrigation.

Bani Khalid valley

Bini Halid Valley near Iborra is about 3 hours' drive south of Muscat, and there is water all year round. The river is clear and cold, and the banks are covered with green date palms and other plants. Due to the erosion of the river for many years, the bank has formed a steep mountain wall. Omani people often come to this valley to barbecue, fish or play in the water to cool off. Residents nearby wash clothes and feed animals with the water from this river. You can see a huge cave 450 meters long in the upper reaches of the river. If you want to explore in the cave, you need a helmet and lighting equipment. In winter, you can't explore in the cave because of the high stream.

Drive inland from Sur for about 1 hour, and reach the Wahiba Desert, which is about 200 kilometers long and 80 kilometers wide. Sand dunes with different colors and positions are unprecedented for tourists. People and cars jump with the bumps of sand dunes in jeeps, which is a thrilling "sand washing" activity.

There are also some drought-tolerant plants growing in the desert, which are food for camels and other livestock. For centuries, Bedouins have been living a nomadic life of chasing aquatic plants in the harsh environment of the Wahiba Desert. You can visit these nomadic families by the way. They will warmly welcome guests from afar with Arabic coffee and dates, and sometimes they can drink freshly squeezed goat's milk or camel milk!

Because there is no fixed access road in the desert, tourists who want to drive into the desert by themselves should be accompanied by local people who are familiar with the terrain and skilled in driving, in case they get lost in the desert, or tell local police or friends where you are and when you will come back. You should also prepare enough food and water before going, just in case. If you want to camp in the desert, you should pay attention to the great temperature difference between morning and evening.

Sur

Sur is located in the southeast of Muscat, which takes about 3 hours by car. It is a typical fishing port. Since Sur had a record of maritime trade with the East African coast as early as the 6th century, it has been famous for making Arabian dhows since ancient times. However, the power of all ships has been replaced by modern diesel engines, but the appearance still adheres to the traditional all-wood hull, and many new ships under construction can be seen at the seaside of Sur all year round.

Nizwa

Nizwa is located in the southwest of Muscat, about 2 hours by car. It is the largest city in the interior of Oman and was the capital of Oman in the 6th and 7th centuries. The most famous historical sites are Bahraburg, which is recognized by UNESCO as one of the world's historical sites, and Jabblinburg, which was built by the most powerful Lord in the17th century. Gabrinburg is still well preserved. There are various organs in the castle to defend against the enemy's attack, for example, the internal structure of the castle is complex as a maze, the stairs are spaced at different intervals to slow down the enemy's invasion, and there are small holes in the floor of the upstairs room to pour hot oil or hot water to obstruct the enemy. Because the Lord was very rich at that time, the decoration, sculpture and structure in the castle were more complicated and luxurious than other castles in Oman. Later generations buried the Lord in a secret place in the castle to commemorate him.

The exterior of the market next to Nizwa Castle is a traditional building in Oman style, but the internal equipment is very modern and tidy. Vegetables, meat and daily necessities are sold on weekdays. The open space next to the market is planted with date palms, and it has become a cattle market for trading cattle, goats, camels and other animals since Friday. From the early hours of the morning, people were buzzing and bidding was endless, and it was open until noon. Nizwa is the center of jewelry and handicrafts in Oman. Most of the short knives and gold and silver ornaments sold by Muscat come from Nizwa, but the prices here are not necessarily cheap. Visit the alley behind the market next to Nizwa Castle, and you can see craftsmen trying to make these handicrafts. From the roof of Nizwa Castle, we can see that the dome of Nizwa Mosque, as a landmark of Nizwa, shines in the sun.

Salalah (Salalah)

Salah is more than 0/000 kilometers away from Muscat/Kloc-and it takes about 9 hours by car. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly from Muscat. Salara, located in the Zufar region in southern Oman, is the largest city in the region and the second largest city in Oman. Because it is hit by the Indian Ocean monsoon from June to August every year, it is completely different from the hot and dry climate in northern Muscat and other places. Green and spring are everywhere. Bedouins living a nomadic life are now grazing here with camels, cattle and sheep. Signs of "beware of camels" keep appearing on the roadside, reminding drivers to let these animals pass first.

Salala's climate is suitable for planting banana, coconut, papaya, Sakyamuni and other fruit trees. These tropical fruits are very precious to people in the Middle East, and fruit stalls can often be seen on the roadside in Salala. Coconut shadows are swaying beside the clean white beach, accompanied by a breeze, which makes people feel like they are in a corner of the South Pacific.

Oman Tourism Bureau and Dover Regional Government hold a celebration in July and August every year-"Harif Festival", which means monsoon. This festival is to celebrate the arrival of the monsoon rainy season, and hold a series of performances such as traditional songs and dances, operas and folk crafts. At this time, tourists from hot Middle Eastern countries and their families flocked to Salalah to participate in the celebration of Harif Festival and take the opportunity to escape the summer. It has become a bay area. Visitors can buy the best quality frankincense and other incense spices in the world in Salah. Colorful ceramic incense burners are another art with Arab characteristics, and the price here is cheaper than that in Muscat, the capital. On the mountain 30 kilometers away from downtown Salara, there is the tomb of the prophet Nabi ayub, from which you can see the whole city of Salara. There is a clear stream in Ain Razzatu, 25km north of Salalah. The park is built along this stream. This is a good place for local people to have picnics and camp.

Musk grape

Muscat is the capital and economic development center of Oman. It consists of Muscat, Mutra and Ruvi, with a population of more than 400,000. King Qaboos' Palace is located in Muscat District, which was built from 65438 to 0970. Visitors can take photos in front of the majestic Arabian Palace. The two military forts, Milani and Jalali, built by the Portuguese when they occupied Oman, are the most representative monuments in Muscat, but they are still the offices of the local police and the bases of the army, and the interior is not open to the public. Outside the fortress, people can enjoy the scenery of the nearby coast and the ships coming and going, overlooking the backyard of the palace.

Mutra Fishery Market is located in Mutra District, selling all kinds of fresh catches, fruits and vegetables. Muttra Souq, opposite the fish market, sells all kinds of Arab daily necessities, perfumes, spices, traditional costumes and artworks. There are also goldsmith shops and foreign exchange banks interspersed among them. Traditional markets and parks, as well as cheaper hotels, are also located in this area; Ruwi can be said to be an office area, where most enterprises and government agencies are located. There are many five-star international hotels by the sea, and there are also many bars in the hotels. There are also various restaurants and hotels with reasonable fees to choose from in the city. There is Juma Souq, which means Friday market. In Islamic areas, Friday is equivalent to Sunday. Omani people living in Muscat like to shop in this market. Things you can buy here, from cattle, sheep, livestock, fruits and vegetables to used cars, are more lively than traditional markets in China. You can visit the Oman Museum, Bait Nadir Museum and Natural History Museum in the city to learn about the Kingdom of Oman from all aspects of history, nature and daily life.