Travel & Cultural Activities

Bayt Qatina

During the final term of the summer session the Yemen Language Center was pleased to offer students the opportunity to visit Bayt Qatina, a small village northwest of the capital Sana’a. Bayt Qatina has always been a very popular trip for students and staff alike, offering a glimpse of tradition Yemeni society untouched by external influences and foreign interests.

Just a two hour drive from the college, Bayt Qaina presents students with breathtaking scenery, a traditional tribal society, and a stark juxtaposition to the hustle and bustle of Sana’a. Demanding hiking trips, sleeping on the ground, and the absence of electricity and running water tests each student’s endurance and grit.

The students departed Sana’a on the morning of July 30th and met the guides from Bayt Qatina on the road to Mahweet. After a long ride in the back of a pickup over a very rocky road the group arrived in the village. Lunch at a local Zayd home, a brief tour and a qat chew were in order before the hiking began. Led by a throng of local guides, a pair of donkeys weighed down with camping wares, and one goat, the students hiked down a makeshift path into an imposing wadi. Nearly two hours later the weary group reached the floor of the canyon and the springs of Hammam Aiyun, a welcome relief for the hot and worn out hikers. As the sun set over the towering walls above them, camp was made in the shelter of an enormous boulder, a fire was started, and the goat was killed and prepared for the evening feast. With their stomachs full, the trekkers relaxed, chewing qat and staying up late to marvel at the star-filled sky.

Following a simple breakfast of beans and cheese the group started their second hike of the trip, descending deeper into the wadi than the day before, and arriving at the confluence of two streams, one hot and one cold, where the group was able to swim in the pleasantly warm water. In the afternoon the trekkers returned up the wadi to the quaint village of Radham, where the students and staff dined and enjoyed another qat chew.

The final day saw a hike to the old ruins of the fort at Al-Tawilah, where the group had lunch and were able to take in some of the most spectacular views of the mountains and surrounding countryside offered on the trip before their return, tired but happy, to the comparatively hectic pace of Sana’a.

The Republic of Yemen and its people pride themselves on the beauty of their country. The following is a list of popular travel destinations which include cities, towns, villages and historical sites recommended by past students and faculty. Yemen is very much a diamond in the rough and holds many secrets for the adventurous student so please, do not hesitate to approach the travel office with individual travel plans.

Remember! If you wish to travel outside Sana'a you must obtain the proper documentation from the travel office.

Sana’a:

Capital of the Republic of Yemen and situated at 2200 meters above sea level, its topography varies from basins, beds, and wadis with fertile lands and mountainous regions famous for their grain, fruits, vegetables, and Yemeni coffee, Matari. The Capital is located between Jabal Nuqum and Jabal Aiban, in the center of the Sana’a basin. The Old City of Sana’a is located within the capital. This area dates back to the ancient Sabean dynasty, documented as far back as the 1st Century A.D. Reference to the historical Palace of Ghamdan, which is associated with the Salheen Palace in Marib, suggests that Sana’a was the Capital of the Himyarite dynasty dating as far back as the 6th Century A.D., during King Yousef Athar Dhu Nawas (the last of the Himyarite kings). Sana’a is also recognized as the capital of the Abyssinian and Persian rulers.

The name itself, Sana’a, has a great history. It was previously known as the city of Shem, named after Shem the son of Noah, who was the first to order the city built. It has also carried the name Azal after one of the sons of Yaqtin ibn Aa’z as mentioned in the Old Testament.

Important features of the city of Sana’a include more than 50 mosques, one of which is the Great Mosque ordered built by the Prophet Mohammad during the eighth year of Hijjra. The markets, bathhouses, and caravanserais are also complementary to the city.

Manakha:

Situated to the west of the Capital city of Sana’a, about 120 kilometers, it is located in a highland about 2200 meters above sea level. This city is surrounded by high mountains on all sides. The Beih mountains are located to the north, and the Shibam Hiraz to the south. The special features of this beautiful city include unique architectural structures, located along mountain tops. This area is famous not only for its architectural style but also for agricultural features in the traditional terracing system. Within this area, a few kilometers from Manakhah you can also find villages like Al-Hajjarah, home of the Al-Hajjara Hotel where you can enjoy traditional Yemeni food and music, as well as excellent views.

Wadi Dhahr:

A suburb of Sana’a, located 40 kilometers to the northwest of the Capital. It is considered one of the most important tourist areas of the city of Sana’a. The village of Arwadi lays in the valley, famous for its vegetable and qat production. The Dar Al-Hajjar (Rock Palace) is located in the center of the wadi atop a great rock. This was the home of al-Imam Mansour, dating back to 1786. Currently, this palace is a museum visited by tourists and locals alike.

Hajjah:

Hajjah is about 127 km. Northwest of Sana’a. Most of it is along the mountain range, the rest in the Tihama coastal plain. Its climate is very cold in winter and moderate in summer. The town of Hajjah is the center of the Governorate of Hajjah. The town of Hajjah is situated on the top of the mountain about 1800 m. above sea level. Hajjah owes its importance to its strategic location. It is surrounded by the mountains of Al-Sharaqi, Maswar, and Baid Adhaqa from the south and Kohlan mountain from the east. Hajjah overlooks the areas of Bani Qays, Wadi Mawr and Tihama from the west. Towering over Hajjah are the mountains of Al-Shaghaderah and Najrah from the southwest.

The town of Hajjah is among the most fortified mountainous strongholds in Yemen. Imam Ahmad chose it as a stronghold in the wake of the assassination of his father Imam Yahya in 1948. There are a great number of historical citadels and fortresses in Hajjah, more than any other town in Yemen. On the way to Hajjah there is a village called Kohlan, which is about 85 m. from Sana’a and 2500 meters above sea level. It is one of the most attractive villages in the governorate of Hajjah, and one of the most fortified ancient citadels in Yemen. This citadel is the most ideal fortification in Hajjah.

Al-Mahweet:

Located around 111 kilometers northeast of Sana’a, this city is 2050 meters above sea level. Situated on a mountain top, it overlooks a series of agricultural terraces where you can find the best coffee in Yemen, along with tropical fruits. Within the governorate of Mahwit there are many villages such as Shibam and Kawkaban.

Shibam:

Situated 30 kilometers northwest of Sana’a, it was built in the foothills of Kawkaban mountain. This city is part of the Mahwit region.

Kawkaban:

An ancient historical center and a fortified citadel located about 2800 m. above sea level. It was the capital of Bani Sharaf Al-Din in the 9th century. It is characterized by beautiful architectural designs. Most of the houses were destroyed in the past and were rebuilt. It was called the school of music. It is said that it was named so because it had two palaces decorated with precious stones. Each of them was called a star, so the name of Kawkaban is attributed to these two palaces. In fact, there are two ways to Kawkaban. The first by car through the town’s main gate, and the second, a path up the mountain from Shibam. This area is famous for its rich old history. Built on top of the mountains, it overlooks the valley of Shibam. For this, it was named the “natural tower” of Yemen. A famous feature of this city is its great wall surrounding the entire city.

Al-Taweela:

It is on the road to Mahwit city about 72 km from the capital Sana’a on the foothills of Al-Qarani mountain, about 24000 m. above sea level. It overlooks Al-Mahwit city to the west and Hiraz and Al-Haimatain to the south.

Hadhramout:

This is the governorate with the largest territory in the Republic of Yemen. The topography of this region is very diverse, consisting of coastal plains with many enchanting beaches along the Arabian Sea, with mountains and hills reaching up to 2000 meters above sea level as well as extensive areas of the Empty Quarter. There are also many wadis, the biggest of which is Wadi Hadramaut and its many tributaries. Wadi Hadramaut runs nearly 165 km into Saihout in the Mahara governorate. Hadramaut lies in the southeast of Yemen, bordered by Mahara on the east and Shabwa on the west. This region extends northward, deep into the Empty Quarter with its southern coast overlooking the Arabian Sea.

Shibam:

This spectacular city is located in the center of the governorate of Hadramaut, about 19 kilometers from Say’un. Shibam is also called Al-Dumma or Safra’a. It is built on the ruins of an ancient city of Hadramaut, where the natives of Old Shabwa settled after the destruction of their city. Historically, Shibam is recognized for the importance of its market and its significance as an administrative center for many centuries. Some of the unique characteristics of this city include its architectural beauty. From afar, this city appears as a castle due to its lofty houses, some reaching up to eight stories high. These structures were built using straw-reinforced mud bricks with unique skywalks used by people to cross over to a neighbor’s house. Visited by many travelers, this city has been called the “Manhattan of the desert”. In 1984, UNESCO placed Shibam on its Human Heritage list. Structures like the great Mosque, built in the era of Abbasid caliph Haroun Al-Rashid, and the city wall, dating to the 17th century AD, are a couple of the significant sites within Shibam-Hadramaut.

Say’un:

Say’un is today the major city in Hadramaut. It is the administrative capital of the wadi. Say’un is located 320 kilometers from Mukalla. This area is mentioned in the old Musnad inscriptions and classical historians describe it as a major city during the Hadramaut, Himyar, and Kendha dynasties. Prominent structures within the city include great mosques and the Sultan’s Palace.

Tarim:

Located 35 km north of Say’un, this city was the old capital of the wadi and the seat for the Kenda kings. The city houses the second largest library in all of Yemen, containing over 5000 manuscripts. This city is famous for its distinct mixture in architecture, which is owed to the influence of Hadramaut’s emigrating population upon their return.

Al-Hodeidah:

Capital of Al-Hodeidah governorate and known as “the Bride of the Red Sea”, this city gained its reputation during the height of the coffee export era during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. A major port of Yemen, it increased in importance during the second half of the 20th century with the inauguration of its modern port. Important sites within this area are the nearby beaches of Al-Katheeb and Irj, also the old town and fishing markets should be visited.

Ibb:

This city is the capital of the governorate of Ibb, situated in the western foot of the Bahdan mountains. This city is located around 193 kilometers to the south of Sana’a at 2300 meters above sea level. This area is famous for its green surrounding and great water resources. The old city of Ibb is definitely worth a visit.

Jiblah:

This is one of the most famous villages within Ibb. It is recognized as the capital of the ancient Assaleyheyun Dynasty under Queen Arwa, who was the second female ruler in Yemeni history. The Arwa Mosque, dating to the second caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khatab, is just one of many historical sites in the village. This village is on the way to Samara, which is located 2500 meters above sea level and is one of the most beautiful mountainous areas in Yemen.

Aden:

One of the largest cities in Yemen, as well as the most modern, Aden is historically recognized as one of the most ancient Arab and non-Arab seasonal markets. The famous Asaad trade route ran through the plateau northward to cities like Mecca and Yathrib. With the opening of the Suez Canal, Aden’s importance as a world port increased, rival to many other ports of the world, especially after British occupation (1839 – 1967). Unique attractions to this area are the Old City’s architecture, which has a mixture of Yemeni, Indian, and Victorian elements.