Yemen – Manifesting God’s Well-preserved Original Creation

In this world, Yemen is one of the countries that will make God to smile and say, ‘that this has not changed since the day I created it.’ Yemen is what a legend associated with this land says when God once came to verify his creation. Even in the history, the sons of Noah considered it as the ground of milk and honey and Gilgamesh searched here for covert eternal life. If these mythological events are so tempting, can you imaging how alluring can be its modern outlook?

Yemen tourist attractions

San’a

According to a legend, Shem, the son of Noah wanted his new city a little ahead in west from the current capital San’a. But as soon as he went out with his guide ropes, a bird from the heaven shifted the guide rope to further east. Yemen is where San’a is today and is the oldest city on the planet. Here, we visited the following interesting places in Yemen.

• Andad Souq at Yemen:
  This is located to the west of the dry wadi (a road) stretching along the western border of the old city.
• As-Saba’in Amusement Park:
  Situated in As-Saba’in Park, this is full of 18 types of rides for some YRI50. Even if do not have children with you, do come here as it is fun for elders too.
• As-Saba’in Park:
  This is the 50,000-sq-metre park offering cool areas for picnics along with slides, swings, and amusement centres.
• Gallery Al-Bab and Atelier:
  Both of these worth visiting structures are located within the gates of Bab al-Yaman, where Bab means gate. The Gallery Al-Bab provides you with the opportunity to climb up on the walls of the Bab al-Yaman to have some outstanding vistas.
• Dar al Hayas a Sanania:
  This is an ancient tower mansion renovated as the newest museum in the city to exhibit the life of a traditional San’a home as well as rooftop vistas and a craft shop.
• Great Mosque at Yemen:
  Only open to Muslims, this mosque offers a brief inside look via a gateway along with its worth viewing royal minarets. There are some 50 mosques in the city, out of which this one is the most noteworthy. It has been a vital Islamic school and a centre of learning. There is also a library besides it where you can find the largest and popular manuscripts in the city.
• Hammam Abhar at Yemen:
  This noteworthy one is situated in the old city near the Dar al Hayas a Sanania museum.
• Hammams at Yemen:
  With separate baths for men and women, the hammams are quite relaxing sites that are 20 at minimum in the city. These hammams are among the ideal places to get along with the locals. What else is needed if you can gossip with them in Arabic, if you know how to speak and understand it. However, you might not be able to mingle or enter at all hammams. Therefore, know about a hammam that is willing to invite you from the hotel where you stay. Most of the hammams will cost you some YRI300 and remain open from 06:00 to 19:00.
• Military Museum at Yemen:
  Do not think by the name that this museum will be boring. Its ground floor offers the Sabaean overflow taken from the National Museum. On been stunned by this, further, there are exhibits of the death scenes, the guns of military, and a few amazing graphic photos of the executions at the time of the Imanic kingdom.
• Mosques at Yemen:
  We visited some remarkable mosques – the 17th century Qubbat Talha Mosque holding a strange minaret, the old mid-16th century Al-’Aqil Mosque at the north of Souq al-Milh, and the Salah ad-Din Mosque of the 17th century located east of Al-’Aqil Mosque.
• National Art Centre at Yemen:
  Built in a traditional tower house, the centre is a preferable option for have a glance at some local art scene and shopping for the most wanted items. Apart from the collected items of the local artists, you can check out for many fascinating photos of San’a that were flashed in the 1920s.
• National Handicrafts Training Center in Yemen:
  On its 2nd floor, there is a gallery and holds a variety of other shops full of silverware, woodwork, semi-precious gems, and much more. . In the past, this was a samsarah, meaning the resting or storage mansion for the traders who used to travel through the ancient trading paths.
• National Museum in Yemen:
  This is the largest museum on the Arabian Peninsula and there is no doubt that is worthy to be among the best. On its ground and 1st floors, you will be stunned with the awesome collection of statues, figurines, and other artifacts belonging to the pre-Islamic Kingdoms of Saba and Hadramawt. On the other hand, the 2nd floor is packed with the items of the medieval Islamic period. Further, its top floor concentrates a somewhat not that alluring mixture of stuffed lions and redevelopment of the souqs of the city.

• Old San’a:
  This is the UNESCO-sheltered old city of San’a and is the most wonderful of the cities on the planet of Yemen. You will start feeling this as soon as initially pass through the entry gates of the Bab al-Yaman.
• Qubbat al-Bakiriyah Mosque:
  Small in size, but amazing in its shape – that’s what I introduce this mosque to you. It deserves your visit if you are in the city. The mosque was made by the Ottomans and rejuvenated in the 19th century.
• Sheba Art Gallery:
  Here, you will find the paintings and drawings of a local artist named Ali Dahan.
• Souq al-Milh:
  Located in the hub of Old San’a the name Souq al-Milh indicates that this spot is the market selling only one product – salt. However, this is simply not true, as I went there and was stunned to see much more. You can find here all possible products right from mobiles, phones, to sacks of sultanas. You will not be able to locate an individual building, souq, or spot here; but the qat market located in the heart of the old town bustles with full activities at the time of lunch.

Best Time to Visit Yemen

20 December to 10 January

Yemen accommodation

• Arabia Felix Tourist Hotel – Mid-range
• Burj Al Salam Hotel – Top end
• Sanaã Nights Tourist Hotel – Mid-range
• Taj Talha Hotel – Mid-range