Sunday, May 11, 2014

Al Hoqain waterfalls draw thousands of tourists
AL RUSTAQ — Tourist locations are many in the Wilayat of Al Rustaq in the Governorate of South Al Batinah. Among the most important locations are Al Hoqain waterfalls, which attract thousands of tourists, including citizens, residents and GCC nationals due to the marvelous nature of the place.
Al Hoqain waterfalls is located in the Niyabat of Al Hoqain in the Wilayat of Al Rustaq. It is 40 km away from Al Rustaq and 150 km from the capital, Muscat. It is bordered by the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq to the North, by the Niyabat of Wadi Bani Hani to the south, Al Rustaq city to the east and Wadi Al Hajer villages and Wadi Al Haimli.
Al Hoqain waterfalls have an abundance of water throughout the year, and permanent greenery on the banks of the valley. The waterfalls are visited by a great number of tourists, especially on holidays, in particular during long holidays, such as Eid and school holidays. Some tourist offices organise visits for tourist groups to spend a day in the beautiful nature.
The Ministry of Tourism has built grades that are designed according to the Omani architectural style. Various schools of the Sultanate organise excursions to the beautiful location, which has other tourist potentials other than the waterfalls.
Al Hoqain Fort, which was built in 1722, is a historic tourist site in the Niyabat of Al Hoqain. It is a building that rises above a hill. It was used as observatory in peacetime, a fortified stronghold in times of war. The Niyabat of Al Hoqain has a number of towers, such as Burj Al Khoudor, A’Sarooj, Al Saighi and Kabaija.
There are also traces of residual copper mines and some old houses with unique geometric shapes, which date back to thousands of years, in addition to many springs, Aflaj or “traditional irrigation system” and caves in different parts of the Niyabat Al Hoqain.
In developing Al Hoqain waterfalls, Shaikh Ali bin Jabr al Abri, Deputy Wali of Al Rustaq, said that there will soon be an integrated project to develop the site of the waterfalls, including restaurants, pedestrian crossings, water closets, expansion of the parking services and other services as part of the Tourism Ministry’s plan. The project has been assigned to one of the contractors who will start very soon.
He affirmed that letters have been sent to the Directorate-General of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in the South Al Batinah Governorate to install lights for Al Hoqain Roundabout, with double lighting from Al Sa’eedi village to the waterfalls, as well as the cultivation and development of the waterfalls roundabout and a public park.
Letters also have sent to the Ministry of Transport and Communications to build a flyover on Al Hoqain Wadi, given the importance of the project and the interruption of traffic for several days by the wadi overflow. — ONA

Saturday 10th, May 2014 / 22:52 Written by  
in Local

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