03 FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 big story Discovering Bahrain’s true treasures TDT | Manama Manama, which hold all kinds achievement that returned to Mediterranean Sea in the north tity and a design, had made a also well known to the global of interesting things, one could Bahrain after seven years. to the Horn of Africa and the jump start on its way to the new tourists for its beautiful beach- s we step into the 2020s, sense this easily. Moreover, getting entrusted Indian Ocean in the southeast. quest. es, delicious food, bazaars and leaving behind the 2010s Traders and visitors at the to serve as the guiding light to From deserts and shrublands Bahrain has also made it more shopping malls. This also one Aonto the pages of history bustling traditional Bab-al- over 422 million people is not to Mediterranean forests and welcoming to travellers by slash- of the reasons for the Kingdom books, hopes are sky- Bahrain souq, expected to serve an ordinary feat for the people snow-capped mountain ranges, ing the rates of pre-entry visas receiving more than four million high. as an interchange station for of Bahrain by any measures. And the treasures the region holds by more than half. It’s now down tourists a year. This is especially the upcoming 109km Bahrain who else other than the birth- in an area spanning more than to 40 Bahraini dinars from the Most of the visitors are from true here in Manama, Metro, are fully optimistic about place of the enigmatic Dilmun 13 million square kilometres is previous BD85 for a one-year the Arab states, but there are where the mood is the prospects of Manama being civilisation is more deserving simply beyond words could de- visa. also an increasing number of vibrant. elevated as the ‘Capital of Arab to be the torchbearer of Arab scribe. The move aims at encouraging tourists from outside the region Strolling through Tourism’. legacy. Hopefully, Manama’s diversity more foreign visitors to the Gulf to enjoy the stress-free lifestyles the stone cob- For a city having its ped - For the next 12 months, Ma- and its strategic location among state. In fact, 71 nationalities are here as well as its top attractions. bled alley- igree rooted deep into the nama will be at the forefront of the crossroads of trade routes allowed to enter the Kingdom Now if you are in Bahrain and ways of history of humankind, this the Arab world throwing light will advertise this to the world visa-free to enjoy the wonders wonder where to begin with, just is a huge responsibility, an on its immense treasures which in a more authentic way. here. go through the list below on the stretches from the Atlantic For that, the preparations here Home to several world her- attractions in the Kingdom mak- Ocean in the west to the Arabi- are on a war footing. itage sites and historic mon - ing it a lovely tourist destination an Sea in the east, and from the The city, adorning a new iden- uments, modern Bahrain is in the Middle East. BAHRAIN FORT & WORLD TRADE CENTRE Courtesy of Lonely planet, EDB) MUSEUM Built in 2008, the 240m-high, 50-floor office towers are linked in the AL FATIH MOSQUE middle by three full-size wind turbines, which harness the onshore winds At a cost of US$20 million, the mosque built in honour of the founder and has helped the WTC win several awards for renewable energy of modern Bahrain, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Khalifa, who was known as ‘Al Fatih’ (the conqueror), holds an unmatched majesty compared to other mosques in the Kingdom. Marbles from Italy, glass BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM from Austria and teak from India adorn the most sumptuous mosque in the Housed in a postmodern building on the waterfront, the project offers country. an outstanding introduction to Bahrain’s history. Archaeological finds of ancient Dilmun, the Hall of graves, exhibits on the Tylos and Islamic period are some amongst them. BEIT AL QURAN MUHARRAQ DHOW The majestic Bahrain Fort, part BUILDING YARD AL AREEN WILDLIFE PARK & RESERVE of the Unesco World Heritage One of the finest examples of modern The 10-sq-km reserve is home to several species of wildlife indigenous to the site, is believed to be the Bahraini architecture, Beit Al Quran It’s worth pulling over to admire the region, including herds of Arabian oryx, with their fabulous horns. The park capital of the ancient Dilmun displays Qurans from almost every half-built wooden dhows (traditional is home to a total of 80 species of birds and 45 species of mammals Empire. This is where the most century since the advent of Islam in 610. cargo boards) by the roadside as you important Dilmun finds have drive between Manama and Qalat Arad. LITTLE INDIA (AREA IN MANAMA) been made in Bahrain. Humans Moreover, no trip will be complete Walking along these narrow alleyways, a cup of chai (tea) in hand, stopping have continuously inhabited without a visit to the ancient town, off for a quick bite in Swagat and witnessing puja (worship) inside the Riffa Fort this site since 2300 BC. which was once Bahrain’s capital city. 200-year-old Khrishna Temple is a one-off experience in Bahrain. FORMULA 1 RACETRACK Planted around 1583, Tree of life Want to see what a state-of-the-art track looks like, then walk straight into the knotty mesquite the stand and admire it from afar or join a 40-minute tour of the world- tree remains strong famous track. gracefully spreading its ageing limbs over a DIVE BAHRAIN patch of the southern Bahrain’s newest tourist attraction comes in the form of the world’s desert. Approximately largest underwater theme park, Dive Bahrain. This dive site features 65,000 people make beautiful artificial reefs and a submerged Boeing 747 the trek to see this AMWAJ ISLANDS legendary tree every The man-made islands year. locked in the waters of Arabian Gulf, Amwaj Islands is a rapidly growing city with HAWAR ISLAND luxurious towers, hotels Hawar Island is home to the and fine eateries. endangered Socotra cormorant bird and home to Arabian oryx, BBuilt in 1812 by Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al Fatih, it’s a classic Bahrain’s national animal. The Royal Camel Farm piece of Bahraini fortification. It now boasts a small museum with island boasts many resorts with Home to hundreds of camels, the farm located off King Fahd Causeway is a raised walkways leading through a series of interactive spaces hotels and water-sport rentals to great place to see the ‘ship of the desert’ up close. that enhance the visitor experience. Bahrain Fort is one of three venture into the Arabian Gulf. Unesco World Heritage Sites in Bahrain. One of the largest cities AL KORAR HOUSE in Bahrain, Riffa is located in the heart of the Kingdom. The city is Muharraq women work here to preserve the craft of al korar (gold-thread also home to Arabic bazaars and markets that make the perfect weaving), which three generations of a local family saved from extinction. spot to find a curio to remember your trip BARBAR TEMPLE A complex of three 2nd and 3rd millennium BC temples centred around a freshwater spring believed to be dedicated to the Mesopotamian god of MANAMA SOUQ wisdom and sweet water, Enki, or his son Inzak, the tutelary god of Dilmun. The ancient souq is a warren of narrow streets and alleyways which throws everything at you Bin Matar House from electronic goods to spices This traditional house was built in 1905 on reclaimed land by the Bin Matar and shisha pipes. POTTERY DISTRICT pearl trading family, who lived here until 2002. Bahrain’s most famous pottery district, where traditional family-run workshops continue to thrive and one can admire the work of local artists as they go about their daily work and the mud-brick kilns are fired up. A’Ali’s importance in antiquity is evident from the 17 royal mounds constructed nearly 4000 years ago. The most impressive of which is royal mound 8. At 12m high and 50m across, and housing five separate chambers, it still A’Ali Royal Burial Mounds commands the regal awe it originally inspired..