Attractions
for Visitors
Mughsayl
Beach
This spectacular beach is 40 kilometers west of Salalah.
It is known for its blow holes, especially during the
monsoon, as well as the stunning sea views and jagged
cliffs and mountains. The Mughsayl Beach Tourist Restaurant,
located by the beach, offers visitors an international
menu and water sports.
Prophet's Emran's
Tomb
Located near the Clock Tower in Salalah, the tomb of
Prophet Emran is an extraordinary site to visit, as the
tomb itself is around 30 meters long. Prophet Emran was
the father of Virgin Mary.
Frankincense
Trail
Al Balid is an excavation site near downtown Salalah
which is part of the Frankincense Trail. It is protected
by UNESCO and marked as one the World Heritage Sites.
Khor Rowri, 37 kilometers from Salalah is known as the
site of an ancient port connected with the trade in frankincense,
and is famous also as a 'portal to the netherworlds'
for those who believe in witchcraft.
The Magic Road
This road is a dirt track that lies on to your left when
you hit the road from Taqa to Mirbat. The road leads
to a short drive down a hill on an elevated dirt-trail.
When you reach the base of the trail, switch off your
engine and put the gear into "neutral". Keep
your foot on the brake lightly to "regulate".
Your vehicle instead of rolling down, it begins to roll
back UP the hill.
The Mountains
The mountains of Jebel Dhofar, which rise to 1,000m,
encircle the Salalah plain and stretch westwards into
Yemen. Sailors have made landfall on this coast for thousands
of years en route from Africa, the Red Sea, India and
beyond. There are many roads leading up into the mountains,
and one can never tire of exploring the peaks and valleys,
caves and villages, while encountering endless numbers
of cows, goats and camels grazing on either side of the
road.
Samhuram
The ruins of a port, Samhuram, known to have been in
its heyday over 2,000 years ago lie on a promontory between
two khawrs, or sea creeks, some 30 km east of Salalah.
Locally and popularly known as the Queen of Sheba's Palace,
Samhuram was important for the trade in frankincense.
The well-fortified ancient city of Samhuram is thought
to date back to 3,000 BC. It was the principal port from
which frankincense was shipped in ancient times, the
first leg of its journey being a 650-Km voyage to Qana
in present-day Yemen. The ruins, built to withstand attack
by sea or land, still bear witness to the preciousness
of frankincense and its economic importance.
Exported frankincense from Samhuram found its way to
ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. A drawing of a Pharaonic
ship docked at Samhuram is still displayed in one of
the temples in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. The
Queen of Sheba also dispatched a boatload of frankincense
from this port as a gift to the Prophet Solomon.
Port of
Salalah
Located south of Salalah, just 150 km from major East-West
shipping lanes, Salalah Port has been established as
a leading container transshipment center on the Indian
Ocean Rim since it opened in November 1998.
Since its opening, it has witnessed steady growth in
shipping traffic and has the potential to generate rapid
industrial development in southern Oman.
The government's plans to establish a free-trade zone
at Salalah adjacent to the port have the potential to
make Salalah a major air-sea cargo hub. This free trade
zone is expected to attract storage and warehousing facilities
as well as value-added light industries.
Water Springs
As a result of the non-stop rain during the monsoon,
or the 'Khareef' season, many springs gush forth. There
are numerous springs in the Salalah area, such as Jarziz,
Sahanoot, Razat, Athoom, and Humran. Most of them have
pleasant gardens and shady trees around them, which make
them an ideal place for a picnic.
Al Balid
The civilisation of Manjawi dwelt in the district of
Balid between the 12th and 16th centuries. At this time,
the area was renowned for its thriving import and export
activities, the main exports being Arabian horses and
Frankincense. Al-Mughsayl possesses 3 archaeological
sites with traces of ancient walls, tombs and mosques.
It is thought that Ahmed bin Mohammed al Haboudhi rebuilt
the city and renamed it Al-Mansourah (The Victorious)
and this status was reaffirmed in the writings of explorers
Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta.
There is a new museum which opened in mid 2007 as well
as a souvenir shop. It is worth a visit for anyone who
is interested in the history of the region.
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Hafa
Souq
The old souq, or market place down near the Sultan's
Husn Palace on the ocean is always a 'must' for people
visiting Salalah. Many small shops line the narrow streets,
and it is pleasant to stroll through the area particularly
in the evening, smelling the frankincense wafting through
the air and browsing through the shops, which sell everything
from local crafts to perfume, incense, turbans, embroidered
caps, brightly colored cloth and dishdashas, (the long
robes worn by Omani men) as well as gold, silver, daggers
and old guns.
The Corniche
The 'Corniche' is the long road right on the beach at
Salalah, running from Hafa Souq and Al Husn Palace to
several kilometers east, just meters from the ocean,
along a golden sandy beach. The Corniche, like Al Hafa
is particularly worth visiting in the late afternoon,
at sunset, or during the evening. There are many local
restaurants that have set up tables right on the sidewalk,
and one can order sweet tea or fresh fruit juice, and
sit and watch the local populace stroll by. If one wants
to encounter the true personality of Salalah, the Corniche
is the place to experience the laid back air of relaxation,
punctuated by the roar of the crashing waves during the
monsoon, or by the shouts of the children or young men
playing football on the sand, as the locals sit out on
their front steps, chatting, playing chess, or even mending
fishing nets. This is Salalah at its best!
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